Enquiry to verify authenticity of legend about Tirumala temple

[Guest guest]

SrimathE rAmAnujAya namaha

Dear members,

Can anyone verify the authenticity of the following legend that I had

heard?

 

It may be remembered that a mughal invader was looting the Hindu

temples in South India and was demolishing them. One could see the

evidence in Rock Temple in Tiruchy even now.

It is said that when he went to Tirumala with the object of looting

and breaking, a bairahi confronted him in front of the temple. The

bairahi is reported to have told the invader " If you loot this

temple, you will get only whatever money and jewellery that are

available just now. This temple receives as offerings, several times

that value every year. When the temple is demolished, there will be

no further offerings. So it will be like killing a hen that lays

golden eggs. On the other hand, if you leave the temple intact and

authorise someone to send you regularly a portion of the riches

collecte, you will be able to receive several times the bounty which

you will get now." The legend has it that the invader saw the

bairahi's wisdom, accepted his suggestion and appointed him as his

regent or deputy to collect and send the offerings. Thus Tirumala

temple was saved from destruction.

 

Can someone say if this is true or only a story?

 

Devarajan.