Tirupati , livre ebook

Random House Publishers India Pvt. Ltd. - Kota Neelima

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163 pages

English

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For the first time ever, Tirupati: A Guide to Life analyses and connects the philosophy surrounding the god of Tirupati to the tests and tragedies of our everyday life. From what is considered a sin to what is dharma to anecdotes on sorrow, neglect, betrayal, and ways of finding wealth, success, and faith, the book bridges the generational gaps in relevance and application of ancient wisdom to modern life. It traces the divine and historical origins of the temple at Venkatachala, and provides a glimpse into the interior of the holy shrine-one of the world's most important religious places. The book includes: the list of festivals of Tirupati vehicles of gods used for each festival slokas read in the temple to wake up the Lord dos and don'ts of the templeWith a foreword by the head priest, this is the story and glory of Lord Sri Venkateswara, the god who loves His devotees, fulfils their desires, and redeems them. Tirupati: A Guide to Life is for all those who believe that destiny can be changed, and want to know how.

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Philosophie et théologie

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Publié par	Random House Publishers India Pvt. Ltd.
Date de parution	02 novembre 2012
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9788184003598
Langue	English

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Published by Random House India in 2012
Copyright Kota Neelima 2012
Photographs and floor plan courtesy:
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Random House Publishers India Private Limited
Windsor IT Park, 7th Floor, Tower-B
A-1, Sector-125, Noida-201301, UP
Random House Group Limited
20 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SW1V 2SA
United Kingdom
This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author s and publisher s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
EPUB ISBN 9788184003598
To my mother Mrs Kota Uma Sarma
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Section I: Tracing the Origin of Tirupati
The History
The Temple
Section II: The Philosophy of Lord Sri Venkateswara: Venkatachala Mahatmya from Skanda Purana
The Avatars (Part I)
The Avatars (Part II)
Venkatachala Mountain
Faith
Keeping Promises
The Bitter Fruits of Karma
Breach of Trust
For Good People
The Company of Sinners
A Parent s Burden
Change
The Welfare of the World
The Importance of Land
Section III: The Way of a Perfect Devotee
The Thirty Ways to God
Modern Sins
Sins and Twenty-eight Hells
Time for Holy Baths
Speaking of the Puranas
A Shortcut to Happiness
Climbing the Mountain
Some Dos and Dont s
Section IV: Celebrating the God of Tirupati
Festivals of Tirupati
Vehicles of God
Suprabhatam: The First Prayer
A Note on the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Trusts Run by TTD for the Welfare of Pilgrims
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Index
Foreword
It gives me immense pleasure to be a small part of a long-awaited book on Tirumala and it s presiding deity Lord Sri Venkateswara in the light of modern thought pattern. This book by Kota Neelima is a first of its kind attempt for readers across the world and a unique initiative to spread the message of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
The name Venkateswara means the God who can destroy all sins in Sanskrit. The Varaha Purana says Lord Vishnu descended onto our planet Earth in a physical form called Archavatara to bless the human beings in Kali Yuga. Lord Vishnu has been existing in four metaphysical dimensions-Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, and Antharyamin since eternity.
These four levels of presence can be conceived by only gods, yogis, and rishis with their high spiritual and yogic powers. The Archavatara (idol form) in contrast can be felt with physical senses by the common man who has no idea of yogic practices and spiritual training through Thapasya.
To me, service to Lord Sri Venkateswara as an archaka is a commitment to my ancestors from thirty-five generations. I am born into one of the four priest families whose only profession is to conduct the archaka service in Tirumala temple. My college and university studies are only the result of my interest in Science and was done with a clear understanding about my final fate to be an archaka throughout my life. After so many years in His service, it was only recently that I came to understand the powerful impact of the purpose of this destiny. This impact changed my perspective, my concept of life, and my needs.
Similar to my stunning interactions with Him, my exchange of thoughts with Him, and my gradual evolution under His supervision, I also heard many fascinating incidents from fellow devotees. Many were saved from death from serious medical complaints like terminal cancer and accidents after receiving Balaji s Mahaprasadam. Many devotees had their almost crushed lives blooming again by His darshan and blessings.
This book deals with the concept of God, and the meaning and purpose of pilgrimage from a different and refreshing angle. The Karma philosophy which was shelved as superstition is explained through a modern cause and effect equation theory to make the younger generation appreciate our ancestral knowledge. Section III gives guidelines for conducting oneself in the sacred temple town in a pious manner. This is an apt presentation of the code of conduct for a devotee adopted from our Agama text, Ahnikam. This book also lists the various facilities provided for the visiting devotees by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) as also the various rituals and festivals conducted in the temple. A brief description of the temple complex and its various organs are also included in the book.
I pray at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Venkateswara that the author be blessed immensely with health and long life to produce more such literatures for the benefit of the vast devotee community all over the world. I wish the venture all success.
Dr A. V. Ramana Dikshitulu
Pradhana Archaka and Agama Advisor
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Tirumala, August 2012
Preface
Few get the chance to serve the Lord, and I feel I have been fortunate to serve Tirumala and Lord Sri Venkateswara, the presiding deity of Tirupati. When Kota Neelima, the author of Tirupati: a guide to life , requested me to write the preface to the book, I saw it as another opportunity to offer my services to the Lord.
Many of you would be wondering about the need for such a book. Who is it for? Are there not enough books on religion and spirituality already available? Our lives have become complicated and challenging in recent times, or perhaps it is we who have made it such. We worry about too many things, and when confused or in trouble, seek direction and answers from the Lord. In this timely book, Kota Neelima tries to take us closer to Lord Sri Venkateswara and helps us understand the relevance of Tirupati in today s times. Tirupati: a guide to life is a breath of fresh air in the present times. It helps us to understand and remember the basics of life, and that it is still indeed simple. More often than not, it is we who get confused and lost and eventually complicate it unnecessarily. Tirupati: a guide to life helps us to go back to our roots through the philosophy and teachings of Lord Sri Venkateswara. It is in essence the modern man s guide to Tirupati and its philosophy. Along the way, the author also talks about the history of Tirumala, the temple complex as it stands today, the festivals, and various vehicles of the Lord. However, what I found most fascinating is the chapter Change as that is the only constant thing in our lives now, and we all have to adapt to survive in the present world. The Thirty Ways to God is also a really useful guide on how to be a good devotee and seek the Lord.
Simply written with stories and facts, Tirupati: a guide to life , is a unique book that I hope will appeal to scholars, devotees, and the common man alike. I congratulate Neelima on her brilliant effort and wish her all the success with the book.
Sri Kanumuru Bapiraju, MP
Chairman, TTD Board
New Delhi, October 2012
Introduction
A M ODERN G OD
Pilgrimages are perceived as being for the very young or the very old. Others are busy battling with various destinies, promotions, and postings; swing votes and sweeps; long cars and short loans; stents and sentiments.
It is, however, known both practically and intuitively, that every karma, action, of every human being is accounted for and balanced. But it is the nature of this Kali Yuga, where time moves so swiftly, that it renders this knowledge useless. No known gadget can give human beings an evaluation of their lives and a choice of destinies. Maybe someday, there will be e-mail updates on how one fares on the karma scale, weekly reminders on balance of sins and, perhaps, a mobile app for moksha, salvation. Until then, religion is the only answer.
Religion in the modern age, however, must be capable of existing outside its own realms; it must possess a truth that can survive the scientific temper, and include freedom of choice in a world bred on democracy and free will.
Our lives, crowded as they are, with a bewildering variety of karma and experience, might make it impossible for us to sift through each thought, word or deed to know the quotient of sin. The modern God must be One who absolves absolutely and simply.
Modern religion has to make space for the four objectives of life listed in Hindu scriptures as Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha (virtue, wealth, desire, salvation). Happiness can be achieved by achieving any one or all of these, but only with virtue, Dharma, as the first objective of life. Pray for victory in an election, but not for someone else s defeat; ask for a successful business deal, but not that a rival may lose it; seek happiness for oneself, but not wish for unhappiness for others.
The true purpose of God in the modern age is, then, to help change destiny. There is not enough time for devotion, submission, and penance. And yet, the devotees beg for a better life, a better fortune, a better posterity. But do the gods reinvent themselves to suit modern times? A God who is worth worship does.

A L INEAR L IFE
The world is the result of cause and effect. Life is the result of cause given in an earlier life, and a lifetime is spent in living the effects. The cause given in this lifetime leads to the next life or rebirth. This continuous accounting of cause and effect is cyclical in nature, punctuated by birth and death, and explains almost every human experience.
Cause and effect also explain choice. It is the reason why, given the options provided by a diverse world, the choice of one option seems initially logical and eventually inevitable. An option is chosen by the mind because it provides the best results and is guided by samskara, cause inherited from earlier lifetimes. The chosen option may be perceived to lead to the fulfilment of a desire, such as, fame, w