Guest guest Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Namaste, Can someone please direct me to some coherent information on Balaji? This is a diety I have seen in the temple in KC and also in Colorado. I don't understand the deity and His appearance is very different to me. When I try to look up information I find a story about Vishnu and it ends with the description of His appearance as white faced and 4 armed. But in the temple this deity is dark in color and wearing a golden mask. I don't understand this appearance and it doesn't correspond to the stories that I have found. Your assistance is welcomed. Blessings, prainbow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Hi Paulie: You're probably looking for Lord Venkateswara, a/k/a Balaji: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venkateshwara http://www.tirumala.org/ http://www.hindunet.org/god/Gods/venkateshwara/index.htm Hope that helps DB , "prainbow61" <paulie- rainbow wrote: > > Namaste, > > Can someone please direct me to some coherent information on Balaji? > This is a diety I have seen in the temple in KC and also in Colorado. > I don't understand the deity and His appearance is very different to me. > > When I try to look up information I find a story about Vishnu and it > ends with the description of His appearance as white faced and 4 armed. > > But in the temple this deity is dark in color and wearing a golden > mask. I don't understand this appearance and it doesn't correspond to > the stories that I have found. > > Your assistance is welcomed. > > Blessings, > > prainbow > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Namaste, Yes, indeed, that seems to be the one. However, I still don't see an explanation for the dark skin, and also I don't understand the thing that hands over His eyes. Where can I find out about that? prainbow , "Devi Bhakta" <devi_bhakta wrote: > > Hi Paulie: > > You're probably looking for Lord Venkateswara, a/k/a Balaji: > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venkateshwara > > http://www.tirumala.org/ > > http://www.hindunet.org/god/Gods/venkateshwara/index.htm > > Hope that helps > > DB > > , "prainbow61" <paulie- > rainbow@> wrote: > > > > Namaste, > > > > Can someone please direct me to some coherent information on > Balaji? > > This is a diety I have seen in the temple in KC and also in > Colorado. > > I don't understand the deity and His appearance is very different > to me. > > > > When I try to look up information I find a story about Vishnu and > it > > ends with the description of His appearance as white faced and 4 > armed. > > > > But in the temple this deity is dark in color and wearing a golden > > mask. I don't understand this appearance and it doesn't correspond > to > > the stories that I have found. > > > > Your assistance is welcomed. > > > > Blessings, > > > > prainbow > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Dark skin = granite the thing that is over his eyes = the typical vaishnavite symbol - similar to ashes worn by shaivites. I forgot the story why it is in XXL size. , "prainbow61" <paulie-rainbow@.. ..> wrote: > > Namaste, > > Yes, indeed, that seems to be the one. However, I still don't see an > explanation for the dark skin, and also I don't understand the thing > that hands over His eyes. Where can I find out about that? > > prainbow > > > , "Devi Bhakta" <devi_bhakta@> > wrote: > > > > Hi Paulie: > > > > You're probably looking for Lord Venkateswara, a/k/a Balaji: > > > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venkateshwara > > > > http://www.tirumala.org/ > > > > http://www.hindunet.org/god/Gods/venkateshwara/index.htm > > > > Hope that helps > > > > DB > > > > , "prainbow61" <paulie- > > rainbow@> wrote: > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > > > Can someone please direct me to some coherent information on > > Balaji? > > > This is a diety I have seen in the temple in KC and also in > > Colorado. > > > I don't understand the deity and His appearance is very different > > to me. > > > > > > When I try to look up information I find a story about Vishnu and > > it > > > ends with the description of His appearance as white faced and 4 > > armed. > > > > > > But in the temple this deity is dark in color and wearing a golden > > > mask. I don't understand this appearance and it doesn't correspond > > to > > > the stories that I have found. > > > > > > Your assistance is welcomed. > > > > > > Blessings, > > > > > > prainbow > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Hi Paulie ... Perhaps this may help: "The unique idol of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala, the most popular and bounteous pilgrimage center in the country, is believed to be the first image of any god or goddess that manifested spontaneously and is the source of Archa or idol worship so common in India today. [...] "Pilgrims come for fleeting glimpses of the fascinating life-size idol of Balaji, after inching in long queues for hours and days. [...] Venkateswara is not a name but a title. Vem-kata means one who cuts or washes away one's sins. "The unique idol in Tirumala is a riddle to unravel. Everything begins and ends or is reduced to sunyam (nothingness) before him, while the infinite world pens to the sincere seeker with an infinitesimal offering. This is because spiritual wealth through devotion is the basis of life and action in theism. [...] Balaji is not an avatar of Vishnu but Vishnu himself. "The deity also represents the God of Justice, according to V.G. Pragasam, Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India. He is blindfolded by the Namam or forehead mark; the scales of justice are his two wives on either side of his chest with the sword of justice hanging in between. With his slim and black figure, the deity is said to represent Shani (Saturn). He subjects one to the trying period of Shanidasa and metes out the package of rewards and punishments in the material and spiritual spheres. [...] "There is a controversy about the deity representing Shakti (divine consort of Lord Shiva as well as Goddess representing female power) and Shiva as some rituals and traditions signify. [...] "The Mahabharata, the longest epic in the world, describes the transformation of the departed spirit of Sri Krishna, after it entered the solar disc, into a lifeless four-armed image, which was to descend to Earth. An ethereal voice told the assembled devas or gods that it was to be worshipped in Kaliyuga, the present era of darkness and ignorance, as an easy means for seeking personal salvation. This is believed to be the Tirupati deity. [...] "Attachment to the deity's image detaches the devotee from samsara, this world, and enables him to realize the supreme being as Narayana. "It is worth noting that Balaji's right hand is pointing downward towards his feet just above the knee, indicating that worshipping him will liberate one from kneedeep illusions of worldly existence." COMPLETE ARTICLE: http://www.lifepositive.com/Spirit/world- religions/hinduism/tirupati.asp , "prainbow61" <paulie- rainbow wrote: > > Namaste, > > Yes, indeed, that seems to be the one. However, I still don't see an > explanation for the dark skin, and also I don't understand the thing > that hands over His eyes. Where can I find out about that? > > prainbow > > > , "Devi Bhakta" <devi_bhakta@> > wrote: > > > > Hi Paulie: > > > > You're probably looking for Lord Venkateswara, a/k/a Balaji: > > > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venkateshwara > > > > http://www.tirumala.org/ > > > > http://www.hindunet.org/god/Gods/venkateshwara/index.htm > > > > Hope that helps > > > > DB > > > > , "prainbow61" <paulie- > > rainbow@> wrote: > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > > > Can someone please direct me to some coherent information on > > Balaji? > > > This is a diety I have seen in the temple in KC and also in > > Colorado. > > > I don't understand the deity and His appearance is very different > > to me. > > > > > > When I try to look up information I find a story about Vishnu and > > it > > > ends with the description of His appearance as white faced and 4 > > armed. > > > > > > But in the temple this deity is dark in color and wearing a golden > > > mask. I don't understand this appearance and it doesn't correspond > > to > > > the stories that I have found. > > > > > > Your assistance is welcomed. > > > > > > Blessings, > > > > > > prainbow > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Lord Sri Krishna himself has dark skin, hence the name KRISHNA (i.e., dark). And also, Sri Balaji is Lord Sri Krishna himself (i.e. MAHAVISHNU), hence the reason sri Balaji has dark skin. Here in Atlanta, at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, we have one of the few exact replicas of Balaji in the world outside of India. Some Sri Vaishnava priest once told that the eyes are traditionally covered up because of the gaze which is too powerful. Once a noted Mahatma commented upon visiting here that this Balaji temple has just about as much power as the one in India. Janardana Dasa ganpra <ganpra wrote: Dark skin = granite the thing that is over his eyes = the typical vaishnavite symbol - similar to ashes worn by shaivites. I forgot the story why it is in XXL size. , "prainbow61" <paulie-rainbow@.. ..> wrote: > > Namaste, > > Yes, indeed, that seems to be the one. However, I still don't see an > explanation for the dark skin, and also I don't understand the thing > that hands over His eyes. Where can I find out about that? > > prainbow > > > , "Devi Bhakta" <devi_bhakta@> > wrote: > > > > Hi Paulie: > > > > You're probably looking for Lord Venkateswara, a/k/a Balaji: > > > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venkateshwara > > > > http://www.tirumala.org/ > > > > http://www.hindunet.org/god/Gods/venkateshwara/index.htm > > > > Hope that helps > > > > DB > > > > , "prainbow61" <paulie- > > rainbow@> wrote: > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > > > Can someone please direct me to some coherent information on > > Balaji? > > > This is a diety I have seen in the temple in KC and also in > > Colorado. > > > I don't understand the deity and His appearance is very different > > to me. > > > > > > When I try to look up information I find a story about Vishnu and > > it > > > ends with the description of His appearance as white faced and 4 > > armed. > > > > > > But in the temple this deity is dark in color and wearing a golden > > > mask. I don't understand this appearance and it doesn't correspond > > to > > > the stories that I have found. > > > > > > Your assistance is welcomed. > > > > > > Blessings, > > > > > > prainbow > > > > > > Traditions Divine Hinduism Hinduism Visit your group "" on the web. Mail Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Hi Prainbow, Perhaaps this site will help http://www.tirumala.org/ . It is the official website for the Sri Venkateshwara (Balaji) Temple at Tirupati, 3 1/2 hours north of Chennai (Madras). It is the richest temple in India in terms of material wealth, its funds enough to clear the national debt of India with more to spare. Balaji is Vishnu. A simple story, open to correction. Once Vishnu and Laakshmi had a squablle nd she left him in huff, taaking birth as the daughter of Kuber, the asura God of wealth. Searching Vishnu found out where she was went to Balaji to seek his wife. According to tradition Kuber sought a dowry for his daughter (Lakshmi reincarnated), seeking Vishnu's help to fill his treasure chest which was depleted due to scattering of wealth across the universe. Vishnu expressed his inability to do so, so Kuber granted him the concession of equating the hair on ones head as an equivalent to 'wealth'. In this form of seeker of hair, Sri Venkateshwara (Vishnu seeking Lakshmi) is know as Balaji - bal in Hindi meaning hair. Devotees offer their hair to him in devotion or appreciation of favurs done through him. Many people have him as a registered partner in business. Smiles, Red prainbow61 <paulie-rainbow wrote: Namaste, Can someone please direct me to some coherent information on Balaji? This is a diety I have seen in the temple in KC and also in Colorado. I don't understand the deity and His appearance is very different to me. When I try to look up information I find a story about Vishnu and it ends with the description of His appearance as white faced and 4 armed. But in the temple this deity is dark in color and wearing a golden mask. I don't understand this appearance and it doesn't correspond to the stories that I have found. Your assistance is welcomed. Blessings, prainbow Devi Traditions Divine Hinduism Visit your group "" on the web. Mail Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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