Leelas Of Lord Venkateswara

 

Introduction of Tarikonda Venkamamba

She told them that she had no time to go with them and would come some time later.The Jagadguru when he heard the reply was astonished; for, there had been no occasion when any body had disobeyed him. In the meantime some of the brahmin villagers, managed to bring Venkamamba there. Sankaracharya was seated on a throne. Venkamamba was made to stand before him. She looked at the Acharya but never saluted him. She stood there with a clear and undisturbed mind .

People present there asked Venkamamba to salute the Acharya She refused to do so. Every body scolded her. Sankaracharya said, "why do you get abuses from the people. Being born in a brahmin family it is not good for you to behave haughtily."

She replied that she would salute that throne if he vacated it. The Acharya grew wild. He said, "How dare you ask me to vacate my seat. All the people feel it is their good fortune to meet me and get my blessings. Why should you alone treat me with such contempt. At least now you give up your haughty attitude and receive my blessings. According to the Brahmin custom you should have your head shaved. You should Dot go against the established custom."

Even after hearing the Acharya speak so, Venkamamba kept quiet and unperturbed. Every body scolded her in their own way. Yet she stood firm as a rock. Sankaracharya was astonished. He appreciated her patience. He thought that there might be some hidden power in her. He therefore told her that as desired by her he would vacate the throne and that she might then salute it.

When Vankamamba saluted the vacant throne praying Srimannarayana in her heart, there were heavy lightening and thunderous sounds and the throne went into flames and reduced to ashes. Every body there were astonished. Sankaracharya appreciated her Bhakti and conferred on her the title 'Bhaktha Siromani '. He felt sorry for having -wounded her feelings without knowing her capacity. He begged to be excused. He appreciated her capacity to bind Lord Venkateswara by her devotion and wished that she should be respected as Bhaktha Siromani in the Kaliyuga.

To the suggestion to have her head shaved, Venkamamba laughed and said “if any body can prevent the further growth of. hair on my head, I shall have my head tonsured." Is it possible for the Acharya to arrest the growth of, hair? He felt ashamed. His disciples came round her and prostrated. Sankaracharya and his disciples then left that village to their home town.

From that time onwards Venkamamba was treated with great respect by everybody. Many offered her flowers and fruits and got blessings from her.

Vankamamba entered Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in that village. She used to decorate the idol there and perform pooja daily. The pujaris felt jealous of her action and tried to prevent her. But they could not succeed. Once, while she was seated in Padmasan posture and immersed in Dhyan, they built a samadhi to prevent her coming out again. They again failed in their attempt because Venkamamba disappeared from there and arrived Tirupati, the Kaliyuga Viakuntam. She used to reside in a garden to the north of the temple there.

In that garden were grown Tulasi and other flower plants. A well was arranged to be dug in the garden. But no water could be found however deep the well was dug. Venkamamba knew this. She came to the spot and prayed Ganga Bhavani devotedly. Immediately water overflowed the well. Those who had witnessed her miraculous power felt glad at her divine power and prostrated before her. They spoke in praise of her.

With the waters in that well, the plants in the garden were' well nursed and garlands of Tulasi petals and flowers were made and offered to Lord Venkateswara daily. The Lord was much pleased with her Bhakthi and appeared before her often. This made her more devoted to the Lord and she was always immersed in His dhyan. Quite often she used to dance forgetting herself in prayers. Pilgrims and other devotees having come to know of this, used to have her darshan also when they visited Tirupati. In course of time, the crowds that were gathering to have her darshan swelled beyond description that she felt it was a source of disturbance for her meditation.

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