Acharyas of Ahobilam - 3

AHOBILAM - THE ABODE OF NAVA NARASIMHAS.

The Himalayas rise high to the everest in the north while the far

south of India shows the deep sea - rather the communion of the three

oceans. The western region and the eastern region of Peninsular

India, on the otherhand, while tapering towards Kanyakumari, exhibit

a wide range of maountains known as Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

respectively. While the Western Ghats present wholesome sceneries

and adventurous travel both by rail and road, the Eastern Ghats

display not only picturesque view but demonstrate divinity as well.

The Eastern Ghats are likened to the great serpent Adisesha basking

in the sun with His head (or hood) at Thirumala, His middle at

Ahobilam and His tailend portion at Srisailam- all the three with

famous temples on them.

The subject we have before us is Ahobilam. Ofcourse, Thirupathi and

Srisailam are also frequented pilgrimage centres. Ahobilam because

of this special issue. Not only Mahabharata; but also ancient

Puranas like the Kurma Purana, Padma Purana and Vishnu Purana mention

about Ahobilam and its presiding deity Narasimha. In fact, Brahmanda

Purana says that this place was once the palace of Hiranyakasipu who

was slain by Sriman Narayana manifesting as Narasimha from a pillar

there for the sake of His staunch devotee Prahlada. Vagaries of time

brought about the destruction of the then existing structures

yielding place to nature's creation of the mountain range that

preserved the site of incarnation as "Svayam Vyakta Kshetram" of Lord

Narasimha.

According to Sthala Purana, there are two popular "legends" (the

appropriateness of terms like legend, myths or mythology etc in

relation to Shastras is questionable) for the derivation of the word

'Ahobilam'. It is stated that the Devas while witnessing the

terrific aspect (Ugra Kala), the Lord took on in order to tear to

pieces Hiranyakasipu sung His Praise as 'Ahobala' meaning Lo] The

strength. Hence this place has come to be known as Ahobilam. In

support of this, there is a Prapatti shloka about ahobilam that

reads: "ahovIryam ahosauryam

ahobAhu ParAkramah:

nArasimham Param daivam

ahobilam ahobalam"

The other version is that because of the great cave, the ahobila,

where Garuda worshipped, did penance and realised the Lord, the place

itself has come to be called Ahobilam. The ahobilam Kaifiyat gives

support to this "legend". The Ahobilam Kaifiyat forming part of

Mackenzie collections gives very valuable information regarding the

Ahobilam temples. Kaifiyats - the digests from 'Kaviles' or village

registers containing information on the political, social, religious

and other conditions of the villages in Deccan were prepared by

Pandits and Mussaddis working under Col. Mackenzie. The Ahobilam

Kaifiyat is in Telegu and available in the state Archives at

Hyderabed.

As per this record, "On one of the mountains in the Nallamalai hill

rage, eight amadas from Srisaila Kshetra, Garuda commenced silent

penance to obtain a vision of Lord Narasimha who destroyed

Hiranyakasipu. The Lord in His grace, after long years of the tapas

of Garuda, manifested Himself in the cave of a mountain.

"Ten Paravus to the northeast of the mountain, where Garuda was doing

Penance, a vision of His manifestation was then granted to Garuda,

who after obtaining a sign of the location of the mountain cave,

gladly travelled thither and saw the embodiment of the Satswaroopa,

Mahapurusha, Lord Jwalanarasimha not easily accessible to common

people. Garuda then worshipped the Lord, and praised Him that

'ahobilam is mahabalam' (Ahobilam is a great sustainer with

strength). The Lord's Divya Mangala vigraha was worshipped by Him

with several stotras. Garuda then considered Himself as blessed

after a vision of the Lord. This divine place thereafter obtained

the deserving name of Ahobbilam.

"The mountain on which Garuda performed Tapas became famous as

Garudachala. In the days of yore when truth and dharma prevailed,

great heat was observable near the mountain cave of Ahobila;

according to "legend" when green grass was put in the cave, it would

catch fire and smoke would be emitted. Several great Rishis lived

there for a time; after sometime with the knowledge that great places

would become common Janapadas in the Kali age, they left for northern

lands, covering up the Narasimha cave with boulders. Traditionally

therefore this place is being called the Narasimha Kshetra. There

are thus nine Narasimha places - Nava Narasimhas, Rishi-installed and

worshipping areas:

Jwala Ahobila Malola

Kroda Karanja Bhargava

Yogananda Kshatravata

PAvana nava Moorthayaha.

The nine Narasimha sthalas are (1)Jwala narasimha (2) Ahobila

narasimha (3) Malola Narasimha (4) KroDa narasimha (5) Karanja

narasimha (6) Bhargava narasimha (7) YogAnanda narasimha (8)

Kshatravata narasimha and (9) PAvana or Holy narasimha.

Before visiting these nine shrines, let us see how we approach this

place. Situated in the Nallamalai hills, Ahobilam is about 24

kilometers from Allagadda Taluq Headquarterrs, 112 kms from Cuddappah

and 65 kms from Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh, and can be reached by bus

from Hyderabad and also by rail via Kurnool and then by bus from

there. Thirumangai AzhwAr has sung the SingavEl Kunram is accessible

to none but Devas. This is partially true even today since the area

and the hills are covered with thick vegetation, thorny bushes and

forests where leaves rustle and crickets chirp. The whole complex is

in two parts- one called Yeguvu Ahobilam or upper Ahobilam with the

Nava Narasimha shrines and the other called Diguvu Ahobilam or lower

Ahobilam with a single shrine for Lakshim Narasimha connected by a

road, stretching a distance of about 12.8kms. from Lower Ahobilam to

Upper Ahobilam. From there, the other shrines are to be reached only

by trekking and managing difficult terrain, flowing streams and

slippery rocks. The nature is bounteous there affording plenty of

water by way of ponds, brooks and resting places under shdes of

forest growth. One can witness several cave like rocks on the way.

Quite an adventureous trip indeed to be enjoyed, if one has faith,

will power and devotion. Lions dwell in the forest and no wonder the

half lion manifestation that Narasimha took chose to dwell in similar

surroundings. If one can undertake a strenous traverse of 8kms from

Upper Ahobilam, one can see the Ugrastambham and have a darshan of

Ukkukambamu (pillar) on the mountain said to be the one from which

Lord Narasimha emerged in response to Prahlada's prayers.

To be continued Detail descriptions of the Nava Narasimha shrines.

Source Acharyas of Ahobilam 1992 Special Nrsimha Priya issue.

Jaganath