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(39. Ans .: Contd...) The image of the Lord of the Venkatachala Hill is undoubtedly a marvellous specimen of stone sculpture. The devotee, ofcourse, believes that it is a self-manifest one, unsculpted by human hand. and one would readily agree that it is an exceedingly ancient image going back to centuries before Christ. It is peaceful in aspect and four armed. It is alone without his usual consorts, Lakshmi and Bhudevi, at his sides. The upper hands carry Conch and Discus.
The Left normal hand touches the hip and the right one assumes the gesture of boon-bestowa. The complexion is that of a dark rain-bearing cloud and the figure is attired in silken garments. It is a well proportioned figure and the four arms are well shaped and long. The nose is shapely and eyes beautiful. The chest is broad and prominent and Goddess Lakshmi is seated on the right breast. The ears are adorned with makara kundalas. The figures beauty is that of a million gods of Love(Eros). He satisfies the desires of the devotees, and he gave away, to show his affection for his devotees, his own Conch and Discus to the king Tondaman.
The image is of stone and is suaitable for worship. The presence of Goddess Lakshmi on the body of the Balaji is responsible for the name 'Sri-nivasa', (the abode of Lakshmi). This image of Lakshmi is in the asgamas prescribed to be two-armed and seated in the Lotus posture. This form is called 'Dvibhuja Vyuha Lakshmi'.
The consecration and worship of Vyuha Lakshmi are meant to secure unbounded and eternal prosperity. In the usual dailyworship, after Venkatesa Sahasra namarchana, this Vyuha Lakshmi on the gods right chest is also worshipped reciting the 16 names of Lakshmi (from Varaha Purana).
The bewitching smile that can be seen on the deity's face is indeed a fascinating feature of the idol, rarely met with the idols of this size and form. This smile is bright and luminous, charming the three worlds and illumining all the quarters, and revealing the gods compassion and love for the devotee. One would wonder if any sculptor,Human,Celestial could possibly bring abt this beautiful smile on the face and declares that the god has undoubtedly manifested himself out of his own free will in a splendid human form to charm his devotees.
(2). Is it true that the Archana is performed to Lord with Bilva leaves on some occassions apart from the regular Tulasi leaves and is there any significance to it as the Bilva leaves are dearer to Lord Shiva?
Ans .: Bilva Leaves are very sacred. In the holy month of Dhanur maasam, where the holiest of all the festivals of the Tirumala temple, 'Vaikunta Ekadasi' is scheduled the Temple's rituals are slightly changed.
In the place of normal suprabhatham the 'Tiruppavai' sung by Goddess Godadevi is recited at first. Then a ritual named 'Tirupalli Yellicchi' is performed. In this ritual first the Thomala Seva is performed (exactly as in the night) in the morning while the Vaishnavaites sung 'Tirupalli Yellicchi' sung by Thondaradi podi Alwar. After that in the normal sequence 'Koluvu' or darbar is performed. But in the month of Dhanurmasam for 30 days after the 'Tirupalli Yellicchi' Thomala Seva, Astottara Namarchana is performed while Bilva leaves are offered at the lotus feet of Lord Venkateswara (instead of Tulasi). Popular belief is that Bilva leaves are dearest to Lord Shiva. But many of us do not know the fact that it is also considered very dearest and sacred for offering puja to Goddess Lakshmi. It is said that one who performs Bilvarchana to Goddess Lakshmi will get the blessing of Lakshmi (Lakshmi Kataksham).
But Goddess Lakshmi is situated at the right chest of Lord Venkateswara, so in one my postings i've explained abt the Lakshmi Vishistadvaitha (or Vaikhanasa Agamam) which says that Worship Lord Vishnu along with Goddess Lakshmi. So to do the rituals which are holy to the Goddess Lakshmi this bilvarchana is adopted long back which inturn came a practice to offer the same to Lord Balaji's feet. As anything that is liked by wife is dearer to the husbands also.
After this 'Mudgannam' or 'Neyyi Pongali' is offered along with other prasadams then Sattumorai. Then Suddhi (or Cleaning) is performed.
Now the normal sequence of Thomala Seva, Koluvu, Sahasra Namarchana is performed.
Jai Srimannaryana !
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