Dakshina Sheshadri

[Guest guest]

Narayana Narayana

 

Dear Bhagavathas,

Till now we saw how Sriman Narayana decided to

compose the Divya Prabandham. Now let us

see how he came to be worshipped there as Srinivasa

Perumal.

Long ago, there was a sage by name Mandavya. He was a

true Vaishnava. Like any other

Vaishnava, he longed to attain the Divya Sayujyam of

the Lord. So, he took up a penance at

Pushkaram. But this penance proved to be a failure. He

decided to go to Tirumala hills, where

Sriman Narayana resides, as he was sure that Sriman

Narayana would grant his wish there. So, he

went to Tirumala hills, and performed a severe

penance. While doing so, he lived only on air, and

did not partake of any food or water. Sriman Narayana,

being very kind at heart, wanted to help him

attain his goal. So, He appeared in front of him in

the disguise of an old brahmin and asked

him to go to Dakshina Sheshadri, which is situated 2

yojanas to the south of Kaveri river and 20

yojanas to the south west of Tirumala. Here, 1 yojana

amounts to roughly around 120 Km. The

Brahmin commanded Mandavya to control all his senses

and chant the sacred "Sriman Narayana

Ashtaksharam" in order to fulfil his wishes. Mandavya

immediately left to Dakshina Sheshadri.

As he approached the hills, he was taken by surprise.

The hills looked like a serpent with it's

hood opened wide. He felt very happy at this sight. He

quickly climbed up the hills and took a

holy dip in the sacred Veda Pushkarani. He then

started his penance as commanded by the old

brahmin in Tirumala.

 

(to be continued...)

Srinivasa Rajan Ramanuja Dasan.