Page 22 - Bhakthinivedana 2011 September English Magazine.pmd

MONTH & SIGNIFICANCE

Festivals of October

Vijayadasami - Oct 6 , The kingdom was, then, suitably no longer appear to anyone in
th
Appearance Day of Sri divided between Thondama:n human form or speak to them. He
Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala and A:ka:saraju’s own son. shall instead remain as an idol,
- Oct 7 th Thondama:n lived comfortably always witnessing everything and

The Lord of the Seven Hills, under the protection and guidance protecting everyone. Since then,
Srinivasa is said to have appeared of the Lord Srinivasa. Srinivasa remained as the Lord we
on the divine hills of Thirumala see today in Thirumala.
in Bha:dra Pada M:asam, Sukla Once while Thondama:n was
Dva:dasi. He befriended Vara:ha ruling his kingdom, a pious Di:pa:vali - Oct 26 th

Swa:my and took permission from bramhin requested the king to take Bhu:devi, the Earth, was immersed
him to stay on the hills. In turn the care of his pregnant wife while under the ocean. To protect Her
Lord arranged for devotees to first he travelled on a pligrimage. The from the clutches of Hiranya:ksha,
visit Sri Vara:ha Swamy before king agreed. But the king became the Lord took the incarnation of

they came for His darshan. careless and completely forgot ‘Vara:ha’. Our Lord married the
about the lady! Very soon the shy and frightened Bhu:devi ,
Once, the Lord appeared to His woman and her child died in the carried Her out of waters with
devotee Sankhana, and ordained asylum provided by the king. Then, great affection and killed the

him to get an idol sculpted in such later when the bramhin returned terrible Hiranya:ksha. Of this union
a way that it shall look exactly like to the kingdom, the king suddenly of Lord Vara:ha and Bhu:devi was
how the Lord appeared to him realized his mistake and secretly born Naraka. An affectionate
then. In a few days the idol was rushed to meet the Lord Srinivasa mother Bhu:devi was, She prayed

beautifully done. Later one day, the through a secret tunnel built from for long life of Her son. She also
Lord desired to marry Padma:vathi his palace to the hills and sought obtained the Na:ra:yana Asthra
De:vi, daughter of A:ka:saraju refuge in the Lord. from the Lord Himself and gave it
who had a brother, Thondama:n. to Naraka.

The Lord, was very disappointed
A grand marriage ensued with the with the King’s irresponsible Filled with arrogance born of
help of Vakulama:lika’s mediation, attitude towards his people. such boons, Naraka soon turned

who convincingly narrated to the Yet, the Lord helped the King in into an asura, an evil man.

king, the greatness of the Lord bringing the bramhin’s wife and Having made association with
and his love for Padmacathi De:vi. child back to life. However, after Mura, the five headed demon,
Soon after the marriage, within this incident, the Lord, announced Naraka:sura created havoc in the
a few months, A:ka:sara:ju died. to Thondama:n that He shall world. Desirous of enjoying all

22 Bhakthinivedana • Sep, Oct 2011