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Many times it is difficult for us to trace our historical records. We do however are able to bring together a view using the scriptures or literature from that era. The composition Venkateshayanam is one such piece of literature containing 74 shlokas composed 400 years ago which traces the history behind how the current vigraha (stone idol) of Shri Venkatesha in the Cochin temple came to be there.
There are no authentic records to ascertain the original author of this composition but it is surmised that this was perhaps written by one Venkatesh Bhatta who was an archaka in the temple about 400 years ago when the vigraha was obtained by the mahajans of Cochin from Shri Sudheendra Teertha of Kumbakona Math.
The source for this article is a 1990 publication that can be found here and is a commendable attempt by our community members to translate the original piece of work and ensure we don’t lose this gem of a piece, so I strongly urge you to read and download it for your records.
In summary, this composition presents the following: King Narasimha Raja of Chola Kingdom was a staunch devotee of Lord Venkatesha and used to climb the hills to visit the temple. Pleased by his devotion, the Lord gave a gift of His own idol to the king. The king consecrated it in Vidya Nagar (Near Hospet) 1460-1480. However due to unfortunate circumstances, after his demise, the idol remained hidden for a long time until it came into the possession of a seer (1500-1550) and finally made its way to Gosripuram where it was consecrated in 1599.
For an easy read of the story please refer to this Wiki article.
There is Konkani Lokgeet narrating the story which you can read here.
प्रथमोध्याय (१)
भक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं देवं गोश्रीवेंकटनायकम् ।।
नत्वा तच्चरितं वक्ष्ये यथाऽधीतं गुरोर्मया ।।१।।
prathamodhyāya (1)
bhaktimuktipradaṁ devaṁ gośrīveṁkaṭanāyakam ।।
natvā taccaritaṁ vakṣye yathā’dhītaṁ gurormayā ।।1।।
Offering my prostrations to Lord Venkatachalapati of Gosripura (Kochi) who bestows devotion (Bhakti) and liberation from the cycle of births and deaths (Moksha from Samsara), I shall narrate His story in the same manner as I had learnt it from my Guru or preceptor.
पुरा सूर्यकुले राजा नरसिंह इतिस्मृत: ।।
चोळदेशाधिप: श्रीमान्प्रजाधर्मेण पालयन् ।।२।।
purā sūryakule rājā narasiṁha itismr̥ta: ।।
coladeśādhipa: śrīmānprajādharmeṇa pālayan ।।2।।
A long time ago, a King known as Narasimha was the ruler of the kingdom of Chola. He was born in the Solar race (Suryavanshi) glorious and looked after the welfare of his subjects righteously.
सोतीव विष्णुभक्तश्च देवब्रम्हणपूजक: ।।
कस्यचिदप्रियं नासीत्तस्मिन् पालयति प्रजा: ।।३।।
sotīva viṣṇubhaktaśca devabramhaṇapūjaka: ।।
kasyacidapriyaṁ nāsīttasmin pālayati prajā: ।।3।।
He was a great devotee of Vishnu and worshipper of Gods and Brahmins. No evil or suffering befell any of his subjects when he was their ruler.
विशेषतो वेंकटेशे भक्तिरव्यभिचारिणी ।।
दिने दिने समृद्धाभूत् शुक्लपक्षो डुराडि व ।।४।।
viśeṣato veṁkaṭeśe bhaktiravyabhicāriṇī ।।
dine dine samr̥ddhābhūt śuklapakṣo ḍurāḍi va ।।4।।
Specially his steadfast devotion to Lord Venkatesha went on increasing day by day just like the moon during the bright fortnight of the lunar month (Shuklapaksh)
श्रीनिवासपदांभोजे नित्यमाराध्यन्नृप: ।।
आवास सुचिरंकालं परमानन्दनिर्भर: ।।५।।
śrīnivāsapadāṁbhoje nityamārādhyannr̥pa: ।।
āvāsa suciraṁkālaṁ paramānandanirbhara: ।।5।।
The king lived for a long time immersed in great happiness and joy worshipping daily the lotus feet of Lord Sreenivasa
एकड़ स नराधीशो ज़रा पीडितोऽपिसन् ।।
मार्गमाक्रम्य शेषाद्रौ सोपाने न्यपतद्भुवि ।।६।।
ekaḍa़ sa narādhīśo ja़rā pīḍito’pisan ।।
mārgamākramya śeṣādrau sopāne nyapatadbhuvi ।।6।।
Though the king was overcome and troubled by old age one day he travelled the way on foot to Seshadri but fell down on the ground while climbing the steps of the mountain
अतीव व्याकुलो भूत्वा मूर्छांप्राप्तोऽतिदु:खित: ।।
सस्मार वेंकटाधीशं विललाप पुनः पुनः।।७।।
atīva vyākulo bhūtvā mūrchāṁprāpto’tidu:khita: ।।
sasmāra veṁkaṭādhīśaṁ vilalāpa punaḥ punaḥ।।7।।
Having fainted and overcome by immense distress and grief, he remembered Lord Venkatesha and lamented again and again.
मुहूर्तांते समुत्थाय गत्वा स्वामि सरोवरे ।।
स्नात्वा देवं प्रणम्याशु शोकगद्गदकण्ठवान् ।।८।।
muhūrtāṁte samutthāya gatvā svāmi sarovare ।।
snātvā devaṁ praṇamyāśu śokagadgadakaṇṭhavān ।।8।।
After a short time he got up and proceeded to the sacred “Swamy Sarovara” temple tank and bathed therein. Soon after that he offered his salutations to the Lord. His voice was faltering on account of immense grief.
स्तुत्वा नारायणं देवं श्रीनिवासं निरामयम् ।।
इति प्रणम्य भूयोऽपि पतित: शरणागत: ।।९।।
stutvā nārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ śrīnivāsaṁ nirāmayam ।।
iti praṇamya bhūyo’pi patita: śaraṇāgata: ।।9।।
In such a voice he praised the Lord repeating his sacred names such as Narayana, Shreenivasa and Niramaya. Again he prostrated before the Lord and fell on the ground and sought refuge in Him
श्रीनिवासो दयापूर्णो राजानं हितकाम्यया ।।
उवाच वचनं देववाण्याऽऽकाशगया तत: ।।१०।।
śrīnivāso dayāpūrṇo rājānaṁ hitakāmyayā ।।
uvāca vacanaṁ devavāṇyā”kāśagayā tata: ।।10।।
The merciful Lord Sreenivasa spoke the following words to the king with the intention of doing good to him and the words came in the form of a divine voice from heaven.
मा शोचस्त्वं महाबाहो धैर्यमालंब्य बुद्धिमान् ।।
मदीयाराधने राजन्दूराध्वानं तु मा कुरि ।।११।।
mā śocastvaṁ mahābāho dhairyamālaṁbya buddhimān ।।
madīyārādhane rājandūrādhvānaṁ tu mā kuri ।।11।।
“O, brave and wise king, take courage and do not grieve. You need not undertake a long journey for worshipping Me”
सन्तुष्टोऽहं वरं ब्रूहि दास्यामि तव ह्रद्गतम् ।।
इत्युक्तो देवदेवेन राजा विह्वलमानस: ।।१२।।
santuṣṭo’haṁ varaṁ brūhi dāsyāmi tava hradgatam ।।
ityukto devadevena rājā vihvalamānasa: ।।12।।
“I have been pleased. Ask for any boon. I shall grant you whatever your heart desires”. Hearing these words of the Supreme Lord, the king’s mind was overwhelmed with joy.
उत्थितश्चाग्रत: स्थित्वा रूदन् प्रोवाच तं हरिम् ।।
त्वामहं शरणं प्राप्तस्त्वमेव ब्रूहि मे हितम् ।।१३।।
utthitaścāgrata: sthitvā rūdan provāca taṁ harim ।।
tvāmahaṁ śaraṇaṁ prāptastvameva brūhi me hitam ।।13।।
He got up, stood in front of the Lord and said to Vishnu with his eyes shedding tears. “I have surrendered and sought refuge in You. You Yourselves be pleased to say what is beneficial for me”.
श्रृणु राजन् प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्पृष्टं तु त्वयाऽनघ ।।
गच्छ विद्यानगर्यान्तु कुरु में मन्दिरं परम् ।।१४।।
śrr̥ṇu rājan pravakṣyāmi yatpr̥ṣṭaṁ tu tvayā’nagha ।।
gaccha vidyānagaryāntu kuru meṁ mandiraṁ param ।।14।।
Lord Venkatesha replies ” O Pure and sinless king, hear from me what you have asked for that is conducive to your welfare. Go to Vidyanagar and build there an excellent temple for Me”.
शिल्पी कश्चित्समागम्य मदीयं विग्रहं शुभम् ।।
कृत्वा दास्याति तुभ्यं वै तस्य पूजां समाचर ।।१५।।
śilpī kaścitsamāgamya madīyaṁ vigrahaṁ śubham ।।
kr̥tvā dāsyāti tubhyaṁ vai tasya pūjāṁ samācara ।।15।।
” A sculptor will approach you; he will prepare and auspicious idol of Mine and give it to you. You perform the worship of that idol thereafter.”
इत्याऽऽकाशगतां वाणीं श्रुत्वा राजातिविह्वल: ।।
स्वप्नोवा में भ्रमो वापि माया वाँ सत्यमेव वा ।।१६।।
ityā”kāśagatāṁ vāṇīṁ śrutvā rājātivihvala: ।।
svapnovā meṁ bhramo vāpi māyā vām̐ satyameva vā ।।16।।
Hearing these divine words from heaven, the king was overcome by surprise and joy. He could not make out whether it was a dream, mental confusion , delusion. or reality.
इति संचिन्त्य मनसा ययौ राजा स्वकं पुरं ।।
मन्त्रिणश्च समाहूय महदानन्द निर्भर: ।।१७।।
iti saṁcintya manasā yayau rājā svakaṁ puraṁ ।।
mantriṇaśca samāhūya mahadānanda nirbhara: ।।17।।
Having these thoughts in his mind, the king went to his city. He was full of joy and summoned his ministers.
आज्ञप्तं यत्तु देवेन तदस्माकं विधीयताम् ।।
अनेकगोपुरोपेतं दिव्यालंकारशोभिताम् ।।१८।।
ājñaptaṁ yattu devena tadasmākaṁ vidhīyatām ।।
anekagopuropetaṁ divyālaṁkāraśobhitām ।।18।।
Whatever the Lord has instructed the king to do, the king wanted the same to be accomplished by his ministers. The temple should have many towering gateways and should be decorated with beautiful heavenly ornaments.
विमानं बहुचित्राढ्यं पताकाद्यैश्च संयुतं ।।
निर्माप्यतां क्रमेणैव सर्व भगवदाज्ञया ।।१९।।
vimānaṁ bahucitrāḍhyaṁ patākādyaiśca saṁyutaṁ ।।
nirmāpyatāṁ krameṇaiva sarva bhagavadājñayā ।।19।।
The sanctum sanctorum i.e., interior holy part of the temple should be adorned with pictures, paintings, flags, banners etc. The ministers were ordered to arrange the entire construction work of the temple gradually according to the Lord’s instructions.
राज्ञाज्ञप्तं प्रधानस्तु विमानं बहुसुन्दरं ।।
निर्मापयन् क्रमेणैव सर्व भगवदाज्ञया ।।२०।।
rājñājñaptaṁ pradhānastu vimānaṁ bahusundaraṁ ।।
nirmāpayan krameṇaiva sarva bhagavadājñayā ।।20।।
According to the Lord’s order to the king and the king’s order to his ministers an extremely beautiful temple was constructed in due order
आलयं रचितं देव राजानं तमुवाच ह ।।
मन्त्रिणस्तु वच: श्रुत्वा तुष्ठोभून्नृपपुंगव: ।।२१।।
ālayaṁ racitaṁ deva rājānaṁ tamuvāca ha ।।
mantriṇastu vaca: śrutvā tuṣṭhobhūnnr̥papuṁgava: ।।21।।
The chief among the ministers then informed the king that the temple has been duly constructed. The king was highly pleased on hearing the words of the minister.
कदा वाँ शिल्पिरागत्य कृत्वा दास्याति विग्रहम् ।।
इति चिन्ताभृते चित्ते शिल्पिरूपधरो हरि: ।।२२।।
kadā vām̐ śilpirāgatya kr̥tvā dāsyāti vigraham ।।
iti cintābhr̥te citte śilpirūpadharo hari: ।।22।।
Thereafter the king’s mind was constantly worried with the thought “when will the sculptor come to prepare the idol and give it to me”. Lord Vishnu himself assumed the form of a sculptor
स्वयमागत्य प्रोवाच कर्तव्य किल भूमिप ।।
स्वर्ण रजतताम्रादि धातव: केवलं मम ।।२३।।
svayamāgatya provāca kartavya kila bhūmipa ।।
svarṇa rajatatāmrādi dhātava: kevalaṁ mama ।।23।।
The sculptor (Lord) approached the king and enquired “Is there any work to be done by me? Gold, silver, copper and other metals only are required by me (for preparing the idol)”.
दीयतामविलंबेन भवनं दर्शयाशु मे ।।
सन्तुष्टो नृपशार्दूलो युक्त तत्प्रदत्तवान् ।।२४।।
dīyatāmavilaṁbena bhavanaṁ darśayāśu me ।।
santuṣṭo nr̥paśārdūlo yukta tatpradattavān ।।24।।
“Please give me the required metals without any delay and also provide me with a house for stay and work”. The king who was very pleased gave the sculptor all that he asked for.
मूर्ति निर्मापणे शिल्पिभवनान्तर्गतश्च स:
मूर्तिरूपू स्वयं तत्र ह्याविरासीज्जनार्दन: ।।२५।।
mūrti nirmāpaṇe śilpibhavanāntargataśca sa:
mūrtirūpū svayaṁ tatra hyāvirāsījjanārdana: ।।25।।
The sculptor went inside the house allotted to him for the preparation of the idol. Lord Vishnu himself manifested there in the form of the idol.
तत: परदिने राजा शिल्पि सन्तोषहेतवे ।।
आगत्य दृष्ट व भवनं तत्र शिल्पिन दृष्टवान् ।।२६।।
tata: paradine rājā śilpi santoṣahetave ।।
āgatya dr̥ṣṭa va bhavanaṁ tatra śilpina dr̥ṣṭavān ।।26।।
Next day the king proceeded to the sculptor’s house with the intention of pleasing him with rewards. He searched the interior of the house but could not find the sculptor there.
अन्तर्भूतं शिल्पिरूपं दृष्टवा तत्र सुबिम्बकम् ।।
आश्चर्यमेतद्भवने शिल्पिस्तावन्न दृश्यते ।।२७।।
antarbhūtaṁ śilpirūpaṁ dr̥ṣṭavā tatra subimbakam ।।
āścaryametadbhavane śilpistāvanna dr̥śyate ।।27।।
However when the king saw the divine idol of Lord Venkatesha into which the sculptor’s form had disappeared, he thought ” This is a great wonder. The sculptor is not at all to be seen here”.
इति चिन्तायुत राज्ञियाँ वागुत्सृष्टा स्वयंभुवा ।।
माँ शोचस्त्वं महाबाहो स्थापयै तत्तु विग्रहम् ।।२८।।
iti cintāyuta rājñiyām̐ vāgutsr̥ṣṭā svayaṁbhuvā ।।
mām̐ śocastvaṁ mahābāho sthāpayai tattu vigraham ।।28।।
When the king was very much worries by his thought, he heard the following divine words from heaven. “O brave king! do not grieve or worry. You install this idol in the temple”.
यदाऽऽकाशे देवतानां श्रूयेत दुन्दुभिस्वन: ।।
तदा शुभमुहूर्ते तु मन्मूर्तिस्थापनं कुरु ।।२९।।
yadā”kāśe devatānāṁ śrūyeta dundubhisvana: ।।
tadā śubhamuhūrte tu manmūrtisthāpanaṁ kuru ।।29।।
“When you hear the sound of the beating of large kettle drums (dundubhi) by Gods in heaven, at that auspicious time you shall install my idol in the temple.”
इत्याकाागतां वाणीं श्रुत्वा राजा तु ब्राम्हणान्
विज्ञाप्य दुन्दुभे: शब्दं श्रोतुमन्वीक्ष्य तस्थिवान् ।।३०।।
ityākāāgatāṁ vāṇīṁ śrutvā rājā tu brāmhaṇān
vijñāpya dundubhe: śabdaṁ śrotumanvīkṣya tasthivān ।।30।।
On hearing the above divine words from heaven, the King invited and informed the Brahmans for making necessary preparation and remained expecting to hear the sound of the divine kettle drums from heaven.
वायस: काष्ट: शक्ल धृत्वा चञ्चुपुटेऽभ्यगात् ।।
तदा दैववशात्काष्टशकलं पतितं मुखात् ।।३१।।
vāyasa: kāṣṭa: śakla dhr̥tvā cañcupuṭe’bhyagāt ।।
tadā daivavaśātkāṣṭaśakalaṁ patitaṁ mukhāt ।।31।।
A crow carrying a small piece of wood in its beak happened to be flying over that place and by the will of God the piece of wood fell down from its mouth at that time.
वायस्य मुखे भेर्योस्ततपऽभूद् दुन्दुभिस्वन: ।।
प्रतिष्ठाप्य तदा देवं वेंकटाद्रिशिखामणिम् ।।३२।।
vāyasya mukhe bheryostatapa’bhūd dundubhisvana: ।।
pratiṣṭhāpya tadā devaṁ veṁkaṭādriśikhāmaṇim ।।32।।
From the crow’s mouth it fell on the kettle drum of the temple and then it produced a sound similar to that of the beating of kettle drums. On hearing this sound the king immediately installed the idol of Lord Venkatesha.
अलंकृत्यार्चितं सम्यक् नीराञ्जनमकारयत् ।।
तदा यथोक्तशब्दस्तु दुन्दुभे: समजायत ।।३३।।
alaṁkr̥tyārcitaṁ samyak nīrāñjanamakārayat ।।
tadā yathoktaśabdastu dundubhe: samajāyata ।।33।।
The Lord’s idol was well adorned with beautiful ornaments and rites of worship were duly performed including the waving of lights. It was at that time that the real sound of divine kettle drum was heard from heaven.
श्रुत्वा राजा मुहूर्तोर्धे सर्वे चातीव विस्मिता: ।
रूरोद राजा धर्मात्मा सर्वेषां पश्यतां नृणाम् ।।३४।।
śrutvā rājā muhūrtordhe sarve cātīva vismitā: ।
rūroda rājā dharmātmā sarveṣāṁ paśyatāṁ nr̥ṇām ।।34।।
The king and all people gathered there were very surprised on hearing the sound from heaven some time after the idol was already installed. The righteous king burst into tears even when all the people were watching.
मुहुर्तकाले नैवाभूत्प्रतिष्ठा वेंकटेशितु: ।।
इत्येव विलपन् बूयो नष्टसंज्ञो बभूव ह ।।३५।।
muhurtakāle naivābhūtpratiṣṭhā veṁkaṭeśitu: ।।
ityeva vilapan būyo naṣṭasaṁjño babhūva ha ।।35।।
“The installation of the idol of Lord Venkatesha was not performed at the auspicious time fixed for it.” Saying this the king lamented for long and lost his consciousness.
तदाकाशाच्छ्रु तं वाक्यं मेघगम्भीरमीशितु: ।।
श्रुयतां भूपते यद्यद्भवितव्यं भविष्यति ।।३६।।
tadākāśācchru taṁ vākyaṁ meghagambhīramīśitu: ।।
śruyatāṁ bhūpate yadyadbhavitavyaṁ bhaviṣyati ।।36।।
Just then the Lord’s words were heard from Heaven with their sound resembling the thunder of clouds. “O king please hear whatever is destined to happen with definitely happen”.
गोश्रीपुरमितिख्यातं नगरं पृथ्वीतले ।।
भविष्यति महाराज तत्रगन्तास्मयहं क्रमात् ।।३७।।
gośrīpuramitikhyātaṁ nagaraṁ pr̥thvītale ।।
bhaviṣyati mahārāja tatragantāsmayahaṁ kramāt ।।37।।
“O King, in future there will come into being a city on the face of this earth, which will become famous with the name of “Gosripura”. In course of time, I will go to that place and stay there.
एवं मम मतं ज्ञात्वा दैवाच्छ ब्दोऽन्यथा कृत: ।।
सुमुहूर्तं तदा मत्वा प्रतिष्ठा कारिता त्वया ।।३८।।
evaṁ mama mataṁ jñātvā daivāccha bdo’nyathā kr̥ta: ।।
sumuhūrtaṁ tadā matvā pratiṣṭhā kāritā tvayā ।।38।।
“It was in accordance with my will that destiny arranged for a similar sound from a different kettle-drum at a wrong time or muhurtam. You misunderstood it to be auspicious time and installed my idol at the wrong muhurta.”
श्रुत्वा खिन्नमना: सर्वे राजानं चेदमूचिरे ।।
न स्मर्तव्यं गतं किञ्चित् कर्तव्य तद्विधीयताम् ।।३९।।
śrutvā khinnamanā: sarve rājānaṁ cedamūcire ।।
na smartavyaṁ gataṁ kiñcit kartavya tadvidhīyatām ।।39।।
All the people were grief struck on hearing these divine words and consoled the king saying: “Please do not worry over whatever has already happened and arrange for the due performance of your duties in future.”
दीयतां ब्राम्हणेभ्योऽन्नं यथायोग्यं च दक्षिणाम् ।।
ब्राम्हणां वच: श्रुत्वा भोजनैर्भूरिदक्षिणै: ।।४०।।
dīyatāṁ brāmhaṇebhyo’nnaṁ yathāyogyaṁ ca dakṣiṇām ।।
brāmhaṇāṁ vaca: śrutvā bhojanairbhūridakṣiṇai: ।।40।।
“Let the brahmins be feasted and given dakshina or gifts appropriate to this occasion.” According to the advice of the brahmins thes king fed and gave large amounts of gifts to them.
तोषयित्वा द्विजान् सम्यड्र नित्यमाराधुद्विभुम् ।।
उषित्वा सुचिरं कालं भुवं त्यक्त्वा दिवं गत: ।।४१।।
इति श्री वेंकटेशायने नरसिंहभूपचरितं नाम प्रथमोध्याय: ।।
toṣayitvā dvijān samyaḍra nityamārādhudvibhum ।।
uṣitvā suciraṁ kālaṁ bhuvaṁ tyaktvā divaṁ gata: ।।41।।
iti śrī veṁkaṭeśāyane narasiṁhabhūpacaritaṁ nāma prathamodhyāya: ।।
The brahmins were well satisfied and pleased by the king. Thereafter, the king devoutly worshipped the Lord daily and lived for a long time. At the end, he gave up his life on earth and went to heavenly abode for Gods.
Thus the first chapter of “Shri Venkateshayam” entitles “The story of King Narasimha” is completed.
अथ द्वीतीयोऽध्याय:।।२।।
यदा राजा गत: स्वर्ग कलिधर्मोऽप्यवर्धत ।।
ब्राम्हणाश्चाप्यनाचारा: स्त्रियश्चव्यभिचारिका: ।।४२।।
atha dvītīyo’dhyāya:।।2।।
yadā rājā gata: svarga kalidharmo’pyavardhata ।।
brāmhaṇāścāpyanācārā: striyaścavyabhicārikā: ।।42।।
After the departure of the righteous King Narasimha to heaven, unrighteousness which is characteristic of Kaliyuga was on the rise. Brahmins lost their nobleness and their conduct became improper or evil. Women lost chastity and resorted to adultery.
अनाचारात् फलं तत्र दुर्भिक्षं च दरिद्रता ।।
प्राप्त ग्रामे ति संवीक्ष्य देवदेवो रमापति: ।।४३।।
anācārāt phalaṁ tatra durbhikṣaṁ ca daridratā ।।
prāpta grāme ti saṁvīkṣya devadevo ramāpati: ।।43।।
As a result of unrighteousness teh city of the departed king fell a prey to famine and poverty. The Supreme Lord Venkatesha, the presiding deity of the city saw the deteriorating situation.
उवाच स्वप्ने विप्रस्य कर्णे मां नीयतां त्विति ।।
अनाचारात् पुरी दग्धा भविष्यति न संशय: ।।४४।।
uvāca svapne viprasya karṇe māṁ nīyatāṁ tviti ।।
anācārāt purī dagdhā bhaviṣyati na saṁśaya: ।।44।।
The Lord appeared in the temple priest’s dream and whispered in his ears. “You take Me away from here. This city will surely be consumed by fire because of evil conduct and unrighteousness.”
अस्ति कूपस्तु क्रोशार्धे विपिने चोत्तरेत्विति ।।
तत्रक्षिप्त्वा तु भो ब्रह्यन् गच्छ तावद्यथासुखम् ।।४५।।
asti kūpastu krośārdhe vipine cottaretviti ।।
tatrakṣiptvā tu bho brahyan gaccha tāvadyathāsukham ।।45।।
“O Brahmins there is a well in the forest on the northern side of this city situated at a distance of half Krosha (about 2 miles or 3.2 kms). After dropping my idol into that well, you can go away and live happily.
इत्थं स्वप्नगतां वाणीं श्रुत्वा विप्रस्तु दु:खित: ।।
रूरोद नीत्वा तां रात्रीं प्रात: स्नात्वाऽलयंगत: ।।४६।।
itthaṁ svapnagatāṁ vāṇīṁ śrutvā viprastu du:khita: ।।
rūroda nītvā tāṁ rātrīṁ prāta: snātvā’layaṁgata: ।।46।।
Hearing these words of the Lord in his dream, the temple-priest became very unhappy and wept intensely. He passed that night with great difficulty and next early morning he went to the temple after taking bath.
itthaṁ svapnagatāṁ vāṇīṁ śrutvā viprastu du:khita: ।।
rūroda nītvā tāṁ rātrīṁ prāta: snātvā’layaṁgata: ।।46।।
devaṁ yathāvatsaṁpūjya bimbamādāya satvara: ।।
gatvā tu vipine tasaminnandhakūpe’kṣipatprabhum ।।47।।
He performed the worship of the Lord in accordance with the rites laid down in the Shastras, took the idol in his hands and hastily proceeded to the forest. The priest then dropped the idol of the Lord into the well which was pervaded by darkness.
तदा दग्धां तु नगरीं दृष्ट्वा सर्वे महाजना: ।।
स्वपुत्रभार्याद्यादाय ययावन्यपुरीं शुभाम् ।।४८।।
tadā dagdhāṁ tu nagarīṁ dr̥ṣṭvā sarve mahājanā: ।।
svaputrabhāryādyādāya yayāvanyapurīṁ śubhām ।।48।।
At that psychological point of time, a huge fire broke out and started devouring the entire city. In the face of this calamity, all the inhabitants of the city fled away and migrated to other good cities along with their wives, children and whatever valuable possessions they could carry.
अर्चकास्तु स्वभवनं गत्वा पुत्रादिकांस्तदा ।।
विलोक्य सुखमासीनानदग्धं स्वगृहं पुनः ।।४९।।
arcakāstu svabhavanaṁ gatvā putrādikāṁstadā ।।
vilokya sukhamāsīnānadagdhaṁ svagr̥haṁ punaḥ ।।49।।
The temple priest returned to his house in the city and found that his children and other family members were staying there happily. Surprisingly, his house was in good condition and unaffected by fire.
श्रीनिवासस्य महिमां चिन्तयंश्च मुदान्वित: ।।
उवास सुचिरं कालं चान्ते विष्णुपदं ययौ ।।५०।।
इति श्री वेंकटेशायने विद्यानगरीप्रदाहोनाम द्वितीयोऽध्याय: ।।५०।।
śrīnivāsasya mahimāṁ cintayaṁśca mudānvita: ।।
uvāsa suciraṁ kālaṁ cānte viṣṇupadaṁ yayau ।।50।।
iti śrī veṁkaṭeśāyane vidyānagarīpradāhonāma dvitīyo’dhyāya:
He felt happy thinking of the marvellous glory and grace of Lord Srinivasa and lived there for a long time. In the end, he attained the heavenly abode Vaikunta of Lord Vishnu.
Thus the second chapter of Shree Venkateshayana entitles “The destruction of Vidyanagar City by Fire” is completed.
अथ तृतीयोऽध्याय: ।।३।।
विप्र उवाच
शृणु भद्र प्रवक्ष्येऽहं वेंकटेशकथानकम् ।।
कुम्भकोणमठाधीश: सुधीन्द्राख्यश्च भिक्षुक: ।।५१।।
atha tr̥tīyo’dhyāya: ।।3।।
vipra uvāca
śr̥ṇu bhadra pravakṣye’haṁ veṁkaṭeśakathānakam ।।
kumbhakoṇamaṭhādhīśa: sudhīndrākhyaśca bhikṣuka: ।।51।।
“The Brahman Guru (Probably the author himself) told his disciple: “O auspicious one! I shall tell you the story of Lord Venkatesha which you hear.” A long time ago, there was a Sanyasi by name Sudheendra Swami who was the head of Kumbhakonam Math.
पर्यटन तीर्थमखिलं क्षेत्राणि विविधानि च ।।
प्राप्तो विद्यानगर्यान्तु न्यवसत्कतिचिद्दिनम् ।।५२।।
paryaṭana tīrthamakhilaṁ kṣetrāṇi vividhāni ca ।।
prāpto vidyānagaryāntu nyavasatkaticiddinam ।।52।।
He travelled from place to place visiting all holy pilgrimage centres and different temples and having come to Vidyanagar, he stayed there for a few days.
कश्चित् स्वप्नोऽभत्तस्य श्रीनिवासो दर्शित: ।।
अन्धकूपे वसंत समुद्धृत्य सुपूजय ।।५३।।
kaścit svapno’bhattasya śrīnivāso darśita: ।।
andhakūpe vasaṁta samuddhr̥tya supūjaya ।।53।।
The Swami had a dream in which Lord Srinivasa told him: “I am now living in a dark well from which you lift me out and worship me well.”
तेन ते भविता लोके कीर्ति: सर्वसमृद्धिदा ।।
श्वोभूते कश्चिदहिराट् कूपमार्गप्रदर्शिता ।।५४।।
tena te bhavitā loke kīrti: sarvasamr̥ddhidā ।।
śvobhūte kaścidahirāṭ kūpamārgapradarśitā ।।54।।
“By so doing, your fame will spread throughout the world and you will attain all-around prosperity. A serpent-king will show you the way leading to the well tomorrow.”
प्रस्थानाभिमुख: सोऽथ स्वप्नं विस्मृत्य भिक्षुक:
फणामान्दालयन्मार्गदर्शने त्वहिराट् स्थित: ।।५५।।
prasthānābhimukha: so’tha svapnaṁ vismr̥tya bhikṣuka:
phaṇāmāndālayanmārgadarśane tvahirāṭ sthita: ।।55।।
When the Sanyasi was about to depart from there on the next morning, forgetting his previous night’s dream, a Serpent king stood on his way swinging its hood with the intention of leading the Swami to the well.
निरोधकमहिं दृष्ट्वा स्वप्नं सस्मार भिक्षुक: ।।
अहदर्शितमार्गेण प्राप्तं कूपं विलोक्य च ।।५६।।
nirodhakamahiṁ dr̥ṣṭvā svapnaṁ sasmāra bhikṣuka: ।।
ahadarśitamārgeṇa prāptaṁ kūpaṁ vilokya ca ।।56।।
On seeing the Serpent obstructing his path, the Swami remembered his dream and reached the well following the way shown by the Serpent.
जग्राह मूर्तिं लक्ष्मीशं वेंकटाद्रिशिखामणिम् ।।
दृष्टवा समूर्तिं यतिराट् सन्तुष्ट: समजायत ।।५७।।
jagrāha mūrtiṁ lakṣmīśaṁ veṁkaṭādriśikhāmaṇim ।।
dr̥ṣṭavā samūrtiṁ yatirāṭ santuṣṭa: samajāyata ।।57।।
The Sanyasi recovered the idol of the Supreme God Venkatachalapaty, the Lord of Goddess Lakshmi from the well. His joy knew no bounds on seeing the exceedingly beautiful idol.
श्री व्यासरघुपत्योश्च समीपे न्यस्य पूजयन् ।।
तीर्थयात्रा तथा कृत्वा प्राप्तौ वै गोरमापुरीम् ।।५८।।
śrī vyāsaraghupatyośca samīpe nyasya pūjayan ।।
tīrthayātrā tathā kr̥tvā prāptau vai goramāpurīm ।।58।।
Sudheendra Swami placed this idol of Lord Venkatesha by the side of the other two idols of Sri Vedavyasa and Lord Raghupati and worshipped it. He again resumed his pilgrimage and in due course of time reached the city of Gosripura (Kochi).
तत्रस्थान्वैष्णवान्सर्वान्मन्त्रमुद्रादिकं ददौ ।।
पूजाराधनवेलायां दृष्ट्वा श्रीवेंकटेश्वरम् ।।५९।।
tatrasthānvaiṣṇavānsarvānmantramudrādikaṁ dadau ।।
pūjārādhanavelāyāṁ dr̥ṣṭvā śrīveṁkaṭeśvaram ।।59।।
The Swami bestowed sacred Mantras and Mudras on all devotees of Lord Vishnu who were residing in that city. They saw the new idol of Venkateshwara while the Swami was offering worship and divine service.
ततो यतिवरैरुक्तं माहात्म्यं वेंकटेशितु: ।।
श्रुत्वा माळप्पमुख्यास्तु ययाचे प्रतिमां तदां ।।६०।।
tato yativarairuktaṁ māhātmyaṁ veṁkaṭeśitu: ।।
śrutvā mālappamukhyāstu yayāce pratimāṁ tadāṁ ।।60।।
Hearing of the greatness and glories of Lord Venkateshwara as narrated by the Swami, Mala Pai who was the leader of the local Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community requested the Swami for that idol.
माळप्पोत्कं तदाकर्ण्य विना स्वर्णाभिषेचनं ।।
न दास्ये प्रतिमामेतां यदीच्छावर्तते तव ।।६१।।
mālappotkaṁ tadākarṇya vinā svarṇābhiṣecanaṁ ।।
na dāsye pratimāmetāṁ yadīcchāvartate tava ।।61।।
Hearing the request of Mala Pai, the Swami said: ” If you really desire to have the idol, know that I cannot give it unless you are able to perform Abhishekha of gold for it i.e. the entire idol unto its topmost point should be covered by heap of gold.”
इत्युक्तं यतिवर्येण श्रुत्वोवाच पुनर्द्विज:
अहमेव स्वयं दास्ये कनकं बिम्बपूर्तिकम् ।।
रामनामाङकितामुद्रा: कृष्णराजेति चिन्हिता: ।।६२।।
ityuktaṁ yativaryeṇa śrutvovāca punardvija:
ahameva svayaṁ dāsye kanakaṁ bimbapūrtikam ।।
rāmanāmāṅakitāmudrā: kr̥ṣṇarājeti cinhitā: ।।62।।
Hearing these words of the Swami, the Brahman Mala Pai said: “I myself shall give you gold coins bearing the seal of Sri Rama and Krishnaraja sufficient to cover the entire idol.”
आनीतां पेड़ कां पूर्णा स्वर्णमुद्रकसंयुताम् ।।
दृष्ट्वा तुष्टो यतिवर: सुधीन्द्राख्यश्च भि़क्षुक: ।।६३।।
ānītāṁ peḍa़ kāṁ pūrṇā svarṇamudrakasaṁyutām ।।
dr̥ṣṭvā tuṣṭo yativara: sudhīndrākhyaśca bhi़kṣuka: ।।63।।
A box full of gold coins was brought, seeing which the Sanyasi Sudheendra Swami was pleased.
अभिषेकं ततश्चक्रे मुकुटान्तं न भेजिरे ।।
विस्मयं समनुप्राप्य पुनरानीतवान् धनम् ।।६४।।
abhiṣekaṁ tataścakre mukuṭāntaṁ na bhejire ।।
vismayaṁ samanuprāpya punarānītavān dhanam ।।64।।
When the Swami performed Abhishekha with the gold coins they were found to be insufficient to cover the crown of the idol. Mala Pai was surprised and brought additional quantities of gold.
तेनपि पूर्तिर्नाभूद्वै विस्मयं परमं गत: ।।
महाजनेभ्य: सर्वेभ्योयाचयित्वातुयद्धनम् ।।६५।।
tenapi pūrtirnābhūdvai vismayaṁ paramaṁ gata: ।।
mahājanebhya: sarvebhyoyācayitvātuyaddhanam ।।65।।
The additional gold also failed to cover the top of the idol. Then Mala Pai’s surprise reached its zenith. He requested all the members of the community to contribute.
तेनाभिषेकमात्रेण तृप्तस्तु वेंकटेश्वर: ।।
दृष्ट्वाऽभिषेकनिचयं स्वर्णस्य यतिराट् स्वयम् ।।६६।।
tenābhiṣekamātreṇa tr̥ptastu veṁkaṭeśvara: ।।
dr̥ṣṭvā’bhiṣekanicayaṁ svarṇasya yatirāṭ svayam ।।66।।
When Abhishekha was performed with this contribution, Lord Venkateshwara was satisfied and idol was fully covered. The Swami saw the large quantity of gold used for Abhisheka of the idol.
प्रगृह्य तद्धनं मूर्ति करे जग्राह भिक्षुक: ।।
भो भो महामना: सर्वे गृह्वीध्वं प्रतिमामिमाम् ।।६७।।
pragr̥hya taddhanaṁ mūrti kare jagrāha bhikṣuka: ।।
bho bho mahāmanā: sarve gr̥hvīdhvaṁ pratimāmimām ।।67।।
The Sanyasi accepted that gold, held the idol in his hand and said: ” O Mahajans, all of you accept this idol.”
इत्युक्त्वा यतिराण्यमूर्तिं माळप्पस्य करे ददौ ।।
दृष्ट् वा महाजना: सर्वे चानन्दपरिपूरिता: ।।६८।।
ityuktvā yatirāṇyamūrtiṁ mālappasya kare dadau ।।
dr̥ṣṭ vā mahājanā: sarve cānandaparipūritā: ।।68।।
Having said this, the Swami placed the idol in the hands of Mala Pai. All the Mahajans who witnessed this event were filled with immense joy.
प्रतिष्ठां कारयामास सुमुहुर्ते यतीश्वर: ।।
पूर्वालये महाराज चित्रानक्षत्रके शुभे ।।६९।।
pratiṣṭhāṁ kārayāmāsa sumuhurte yatīśvara: ।।
pūrvālaye mahārāja citrānakṣatrake śubhe ।।69।।
Sudheendra Swami got the idol installed on the auspicious day of Chitra Nakshatra at an auspicious Muhurta in the old building of the T. D. Temple.
तदारभ्य महाभक्ता वेंकटाद्रिशिखामणिम् ।।
तन्त्रसारोक्तमार्गेण पूजयित्वा त्वहर्निशम् ।।७०।।
tadārabhya mahābhaktā veṁkaṭādriśikhāmaṇim ।।
tantrasāroktamārgeṇa pūjayitvā tvaharniśam ।।70।।
From that day onwards, the devout Mahajans started to worship Lord Venkateshwara day and night in accordance with the procedure laid down in Thantra scriptures.
आराध्य परया भक्त्या ह्यनुयागोत्सवादिकाम् ।।
कृत्वा स्वशक्त्या देवेशं मुदमापुर्महाजना: ।।७१।।
ārādhya parayā bhaktyā hyanuyāgotsavādikām ।।
kr̥tvā svaśaktyā deveśaṁ mudamāpurmahājanā: ।।71।।
The Mahajans attained great happiness by worshipping the Lord with deep devotion and by performing Anuyaga Utsava and other religious functions and festival according to their ability.
गोश्रीपुरीति नामांक समूहत्रितयैर्युता: ।।
महाजना इति ख्याता भवेयुर्हि मदाज्ञया ।।७२।।
gośrīpurīti nāmāṁka samūhatritayairyutā: ।।
mahājanā iti khyātā bhaveyurhi madājñayā ।।72।।
The Swami also announced: “By my order, this city will be known as Gosreepura and the Brahman community here consisting of three groups will become famous as Mahajans.”
इति विज्ञापनं कृत्वा तीर्थयात्रां गतस्तदा ।।
सुधीन्द्राख्यायतीन्द्रोऽसौधनवस्त्रादिपूजित: ।।७३।।
iti vijñāpanaṁ kr̥tvā tīrthayātrāṁ gatastadā ।।
sudhīndrākhyāyatīndro’saudhanavastrādipūjita: ।।73।।
After he made this announcement, the great Sanyasi Sudheendra Swami was worshipped with offering of wealth, cloths etc and he again started on his pilgrimage.
मात्राक्षरपदभ्रष्टमपि श्रीवेंकटेशितु: ।।
चरितं पावनं पुंसां भक्तिरत्र गरीयसी ।।७४।।
इति श्री वेंकटेशायने कनकाभिषेको नाम तृतीयोऽध्याय:
mātrākṣarapadabhraṣṭamapi śrīveṁkaṭeśitu: ।।
caritaṁ pāvanaṁ puṁsāṁ bhaktiratra garīyasī ।।74।।
iti śrī veṁkaṭeśāyane kanakābhiṣeko nāma tr̥tīyo’dhyāya:
The story of Lord Venkateshwara purifies people from their sins, even though errors of alphabetical letters, syllables and words might have occurred in its language. It is Bhakti or devotion that is most important in this matter.
Thus the third chapter in “Venkateshayana” entitled “Kanakabhishekham”is completed.
प्रथम प्रतिष्ठा श्लोक:
शाकेक्ष्मानयनेषु भूपरिमितेवर्षे विकार्याह्वये
चैत्रे चित्र भसंयुतेशुभदिने राकातिथौवासरे ।
शुक्रे श्री विजयेन्द्रतीर्थ यतिनाच्छात्रै सुधीन्द्रैवरै:
श्रीमद्वेंकटनायको विजयते गोश्रीपुरेस्थापित: ।।
prathama pratiṣṭhā śloka:
śākekṣmānayaneṣu bhūparimitevarṣe vikāryāhvaye
caitre citra bhasaṁyuteśubhadine rākātithauvāsare ।
śukre śrī vijayendratīrtha yatinācchātrai sudhīndraivarai:
śrīmadveṁkaṭanāyako vijayate gośrīpuresthāpita: ।।
The installation of Shree Venkatachalapati in Gosripura was performed by Shree Sudheendra Teertha Swami, disciple of Sri Vijayendra Teertha Swami in the Saka Year 1521 named “Vikari” in the month of Chaitra on the full moon day, the auspicious day of Friday withi Chitra Star. The Lord flourishes in all His glory.
SAKA YEAR – 1521 MALAYALAM ERA -774 A.D.-1599