TIRUMALAI TIRUPATI SRI VENKATESHWARA SWAMI TEMPLE
THIRUMALAI PRABHAVAM
Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple
The one kshetra and archavatara talked about in our Vedas, Puranas and sung by all Azhwars is Tirumala. Azhwars are the divyasooris in Vaikuntam, who descended on earth to sing the praise of lord Sri Hari in different kshetras. Hence these temples are called divyadesams.
The intimacy and relationship each of the azhwars carry towards Perumal in different kshetras is very unique and special. However, when it comes to Tirupati Srinivasa Perumal the one bhavam that all the azhwars unanimously emote is, sharanagathi (surrender)!
The Tirupati Balaji Temple (Venkateswara Temple) is located in Tirumala, a town in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It sits on the seventh peak of the Seshachalam Hills, known as Venkatadri. Here the Perumal stands in an upright posture facing east.
The Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanoor (about 5 km from Tirupati) is known as Keezh Tirupati (Downhill Tirupati). It is dedicated to Goddess Padmavathi (Alamelu Mangai), the consort of Lord Venkateswara. Pilgrims traditionally visit this temple to seek blessings before or after visiting the Tirumala temple.
Tiruchanoor (also called Alamelu Mangapuram), is situated in the plains below the Tirumala hills.
Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have appeared here on a golden lotus after 12 years of penance, after which she married the Lord as Padmavathi
The Divine Descent of Tirumala Sri Srinivasa Perumal
The Five States
In Vaishnava Sampradaya, it is said that Divinity manifests itself in five states. The foremost among these is Sriman Narayana in Vaikuntam, the Supreme state (param dhaama), which exists beyond Creation and Time. In this transcendental realm, Bhagavan is experienced only by a select few like the nityasuris (those engaged in eternal service to Bhagavan there) and the muktas (the liberated souls)
In order to become more approachable, the ever compassionate Bhagavan descended in the second state in Ksheerabdi, the divine Milky Ocean. In this form, celestial beings are able to approach Bhagavan with their prayers and concerns. However, even in this state Bhagavan remains beyond the reach of humans and other beings on Earth.
To make Himself accessible to all beings in the world, Bhagavan then descended on earth, in the third state, through various incarnations such as Rama and Krishna among others. Yet, even these incarnations could be experienced only by those who were alive in the same place and time as the particular avatara (incarnation).
Fourth, Bhagavan is also present as antaryami, as the Indweller within each one of us. However, this presence is subtle and difficult for most people to perceive or realize.
Therefore, out of immense compassion, Bhagavan chose His fifth and most accessible form, which is that of Archavatara in temples. In this form, even ordinary people are able to see Bhagavan with their eyes, worship Him, serve Him, and approach Him with their prayers.
The avatara of Sri Srinivasa Perumal of Tirupati is considered especially significant as that is the very first archavatara of Bhagavan, a descent specifically for the age of Kali, and one which is known only for bestowing anugraha, or showering blessings.
Prelude to the Divine Descent
Once, Sri Narada Maharishi entered Ksheerabdi, singing the name of Narayana and playing the veena. Bhagavan, shining like a bright blue gem and resting upon the thousand headed Adi Sesha, with Sri Mahalakshmi Devi gently serving His lotus feet, listened as Narada Maharishi praised the grace that Bhagavan had shown through His many incarnations.
Bhagavan then rose and revealed His desire to descend to earth and remain there as an archavatara for as long as the sun and moon exist. Hearing this, Narada Maharishi rejoiced, deeply moved by Bhagavan’s compassion for the souls suffering in the material world.
At the behest of Bhagavan, Narada Maharishi suggested a place in Jambudvipa (Indian subcontinent) near the river Swarnamukhi. It was a land suffering from drought and hardships. Just as the barren land of Khandavaprastha had been transformed into the flourishing Indraprastha by the grace of Sri Krishna during the times of Mahabharata, Narada Maharishi believed that Bhagavan’s presence would transform this region.
Thus, with compassion for all beings and with the intention of blessing devotees and sages awaiting His darshan, Bhagavan descended as Sri Srinivasa Perumal in the sacred kshetra of Tirumala.
