Tirumala Varaha Swamy Temple

 

On leaving the Vaikuntha (the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu) Lord Srinivasa hid Himself in an anthill in a forest. One day, he came out of the anthill to saunter a while. He saw Lord Varaha coming there with his retinue. Srinivasa feared and returned at once into the anthill. Lord Varaha is but the incarnation of Lord Sriman Narayana. He existed at Venkatachalam in both His forms. After protecting the earth from the demons under the sea, Lord Varaha resided on this hill. Hence, it acquired the name “Varahachalam.”(the mountain of Varaha) Lord Varaha was cultivating millets there with his retinue. He was returning with his retinue after killing the demons who attempted to take away their harvests. Lord Varaha saw Srinivasa and called Him to come out of the anthill. Lord Srinivasa came out. The interaction of the two divine incarnations is a unique occasion. 

Tirumala is said to be the AdiVarahaKshetram. Along with Venkatachalapathi, the presiding deity, Sri Varaha Swami also is enshrined here. In fact, offerings are first made to Sri Varaha Swami before being offered to Lord Venkateswara. Varaha Swami temple is on the banks of Swami Pushkarini, the Holy tank of Tirumala. Sri VarahaAvataram (incarnation) has its own significance, which we will go through in this article by knowing His preaching. It is told by Lord Sri Krishna in Bhagavat Gita that, He manifests Himself in this world in different forms whenever there is a decline in Sanatana Dharma. While doing so, he protects the Righteous persons annihilating the Evil forces. The Lord incarnated in 10 forms called Dasavataras. They are Mathsyavatara (fish), Koormavatara (Tortoise), Varahavatara (Sacred Boar), Narasimhavatara (Lion-man form), Vamanavatara, Parasuramavatara, Sri Ramavatara, Balaramavatara, Krishnavatara and Kalkiavatara. In three of His Avataras, the Lord has shown His Mercy in very clear terms. They are Varahavatara, Sri Ramavatara and Krishnavatara. He bequeathed us Slokas which enable us get rid of the fear from the miseries of Samsara. They are known as 'CharamaSlokas'. He declares that He enables everyone to attain Liberation from the Material World and provide eternal Bliss, if one surrenders unto Him. In this article, we shall go through the CharamaSloka rendered by Sri Varaha Swami, which is the first and foremost among the three CharamaSlokas referred above. This is found in VarahaPurana.

A brief sketch on Sri Varahavatara Jaya and Vijaya the security guards of Lord Vishnu were cursed by the holy saints Sanaka and others, to be born as Asuras(Demons). Accordingly they were born as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu, to Kasyapa and Diti couple. Because of demonic nature, and with a lot of boons obtained from Brahma, Hiranyaksha became very haughty in nature and was even prepared to challenge Lord Vishnu, who is Omnipotent. In fact he grabbed Mother earth, the consort of Lord Vishnu and hid her in deep sea. Coming to know about this, the Lord took Varahavatara, in the form of a Sacred and mighty Boar (as it can travel both in water and land), fought with the Asura, killed him and brought back His consort Mother Earth. At that time Mother Earth, having been pleased by the action of the Lord, entreated Him, with her motherly feeling towards all the living beings on Earth - “Ahamsishyaa cha daasee cha bhakthaa cha thvayeeMadhava I Rahasyam dharma samyuktham thathmaamaachakshvathathvatha: II “Swami! I am your disciple, servant, and devotee. Kindly tell the Upaya (the way) by which all beings can be liberated from this world which is full of miseries”. She further explained her above request, “Mathkruthe sarvabuthaanaam laghooupaayamvada” Please advise the easiest upaya (not the difficult path) so that everyone can attempt and redeem themselves. Then Lord Sri Varaha Swami uttered CharamaSloka, purely out of His Mercy towards the living beings, which consists of two slokas. Sthithemanasisusvasthesareeresathiyonara: I Dhathusamyesthithe smarthaa viswarupam cha maamajam II That has thammriyamaanam thukaashtapaashaana sannibham I Ahamsmaraami math Bhakthamnayaamiparamaamgathim II The brief meaning of these two slokas put togetherIf anyone, when in tranquil mind, and good health, surrenders unto me once in life time, reflecting Me as the Universal Supporter, the Commander within, and the Supreme Deity to be worshipped and the One who has no birth due to any Karma (which is the normal cause of any human birth), I, the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Mercy personified, keeping always in mind the Saranagati (total surrender) performed by my above Devotee, though now he is lying on death bed without any consciousness unable to do any prayers unto me, like a log of wood or a stone, will personally lead him to My permanent abode of Srivaikuntham. One when in sound health and clear mind, totally surrenders his soul to the Lord, the Lord takes the burden of protecting his soul even after his death. The protection here means that He will not give him any more births in this world which is full of miseries.

The encounter of the same deity in two forms at one place, exchanging pleasantries and conversing with each other is a rare occurrence. Srinivasa requested Lord Varaha for 100 feet land for his residence. Lord Varaha refused to offer it free and demanded a price. Srinivasa replied that he had nothing to offer then but promised that in future, the innumerable devotees who come to Tirumala to see Him would have the Darshan of Lord Varaha first followed by the Darshan of Lord Srinivasa. It was further promised that Lord Varaha would have the Abhishekam (holy bath to the deities) and Naivedyam (offering to God) prior to offering the same to Lord Srinivasa. Lord Varaha agreed to the above and gave 100 feet land to Srinivasa to reside in. It should be understood that their conversation is intended to make us realize that both Varaha and Srinivasa are one and the same. They are the two incarnations of Lord Sriman Narayana. Usually, we live under an illusion and claim that ‘this piece of land is mine, I bought it with my hard earned money or inherited it from my ancestors or that house is mine and I got it built for me’ etc. But, we never think that all this earth belongs to Lord Varaha. 

It was He who rescued this earth from the demons and the sea and made it suitable for our survival. It is enough if we remain conscious that we stand on the soil offered to us by the Lord. Srinivasa also did not pay any price to Lord Varaha. He only offered first priority in Darshan, Abhishekam and Naivedyam to Lord Varaha before they are extended to him. The same principle applies to us. We should be aware that everything belongs to the Lord and that He has granted us the leave to enjoy it. The ancient Shastras also say that we should take the mud bath first and during the bath the name of Lord Varaha be recited. Any item of food should first be offered to the Lord and then be consumed as Naivedyam. This is the meaning of Srinivasa’s promise to Lord Varaha. When Naivedyam is offered; the Lord takes the essence of it and purifies it. This is the underlying meaning. Subsequently, Lord Venkateswara has acquired prominence in the region. But even today, as per the principle agreed upon, the worship and other customary rituals at Tirumala are systematically offered first to Lord Bhuvaraha. Lord Venkateswara is truly pleased only when devotees visit Lord Varaha first. Out of the few inscriptions available about Lord Varaha, there was one made in 1380 in which Lord Varaha was mentioned as “Varahanayanar”. In the later one made in 1476, Lord Varaha was referred to as “Jnanappiran.” Lord Varaha is offered all the temple rituals three times daily as per Vaikhanasa Agama (the process of worship and temple rituals laid down by sage Vikhanasa). The Naivedya is also offered to Lord Varaha prior to Lord Venkateswara. Abhishekam to Him is performed in the early hours of every Friday. 

Architectural Style of the Temple 

Special features of these Slokas: 

There are two ways to attain Moksha- one is Bhakti Yoga and the other is Saranagati. Bhakti Yoga is a hard and time consuming process. Further, one should have the eligibility, knowledge and capacity to perform the same. In contrast, Saranagati is an easier process which can be performed in a few minutes. Further it will bear fruit at the time requested by us. We pray for Moksha at the end of our present life. As such Saranagati is said to be Easier Upaya or means of Moksha. Saranagati is to be done only once for one purpose. That is, you need not continue to do the same repeatedly as against Bhaktiyoga which is to be repeated time and again till the result is attained. In this CharamaSloka, The Lord declares that the Saranagati is to be done once when in good mind and health. It is said in SrimadBhagavat Gita that the Antima smruthi- remembrance of the Lord at the deathbed is compulsory to attain Moksha. The Lord, Sri Krishna says: “Whoever at the end of his life, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains me (8-5)”. “Whatever state of being one remembers Me when he quits his body, that state he will attain (8- 6)”. Arjuna! you should always think of Me. Your activities dedicated to Me, and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt (8-7). But one is not sure, whether he will be fully conscious at the deathbed to remember the Lord as prescribed above. However Sri Varaha swami CharamaSloka says that the Lord will remember the person, who has once surrendered, but lying unconscious like a log of wood and stone at the deathbed and lead him to Srivaikuntam. (Though Antimasmruthi is required at the bed, Saranagatanone who has surrendered, need not personally attempt the same by himself as the Lord is already conscious of his Saranagati and will do the needful). The word Bhaktam- in the second sloka does not mean the one who is engaged in Bhaktiyoga. As Mother Earth had requested easier Upaya (LaghooUpayam), it means only the devotee who has surrendered with devotion. The Lord states that He is Viswarupi- the one who has the entire universe as His body. As He is primordial cause of the Universe, He will surely extend protection to all, but expects a small deed like Saranagati, in order to avoid bias to a particular person. Further He states that He is not born like any human being due to Karmas, but manifests Himself as any living being (takes Avatar/incarnation) by His own Sankalpa (wish). So as Sri Varaha Swami said, let us surrender our souls to the Lord with utmost faith and we are assured of the eternal Bliss at the end of our present life.

The temple of Lord Varaha is situated in the North-West corner of the Pushkarini (a small water pond on the temple premises) of the presiding deity extending towards the East. The temple is built in four parts as Mukhamandapa, Arthamandapam, Antaralam and Garbhalayam (Sanctum sanctorum). It is built on four great pillars with exquisite art and sculpture on them. On the last day of every Brahmotsavam during the star of Sravana, Lord Venkateswara joined by his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, accompanied by Chakrathalwar visits Lord Varaha Swami temple as part of Chakrasnana. Within this Mukhamandapa, one can also see a small path for Pradakshinas (Circumambulation). Proceeding further from the Mukhamandapam, one enters the Arthamandapam. Built around the Sanctum Sanctorum of Lord Varaha, it also serves as the path for Pradakshinas (Circumambulations). Moving ahead from the Arthamandapam, we reach the Antaralam. 

On either side of its main door, we see the statues of Jaya and Vijaya bearing the holy Conch, Disc and the Mace. Further inside, there is a square shaped Antaralam of 5 to 6 feet width. The Deity of Lord Varaha is seen at a height of 2 feet in the Sanctum Sanctorum situated within this Antharalam. The Deity bears the holy Conch and the Disc in the upper two hands with his Consort Bhudevi (the goddess of the Earth) seated on his left thigh. Along with this Presiding Deity, one can also see, one foot tall idols of Varahamurthy and Lord Venkateswara both made of Panchalohas (five-metals) and a few Salagramas. The Mahasamprokshana programme has been conducted on a grand scale in this temple from 23rd to 27th April, 2019. Thus the first god to manifest Himself is Lord Varaha. Hence, Tirumala is also known as the Adivaraha Kshetra (the holy abode of Adivaraha). So, let us all have the Darshan of Lord Varaha first and seek His blessings together with those of Lord Venkateswara and be sanctified.