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![]() Brahmothsavam: Malayappa Swamy |
49) Brahma klupthOthsavaaya SrI VenkatEsAya nama:
Salutations to Lord VenkatEsa , whose annual festivities are scheduled and
conducted by Brahma Deva according to Vikhaanasa aagama rules !
As part of the narrative by Brahma
to Vamadeva Rishi, the former recounts the tale of how he (Brahma), out of his
overwhelming devotion and the desire to worship the Lord of Seven Hills in
vividly various attire and carriers, commenced the performance of an annual
ten-day event. Since the utsavam was undertaken by Brahma, it came to be known
as Brahmotsavam and is celebrated every year, till date.
Describing the glory
of this magnificent annual event, the Vamana Purana tells us that anyone who takes
even a step towards Tirumala for participating in this utsavam, acquires the
merit flowing out of the performance of a Yaga. Provision of food,
shelter etc. to devotees arriving at Tirumala to witness this grand event
would bestow magnificent merit (Punya) on the generous souls, says the
Purana.
There is another
version, based on the Varaha
Purana. After destroying the asuras infesting Tirumala at the request of
Brahma and others, the Lord agreed to the latter's request for the performance
of a Brahmotsavam. Brahma had special and magnificent streets, townships and
parks created by Visvakarma (the divine architect) for this purpose, made
special arrangements befitting the Coronation of the Supreme, made the impending
event known to all in the universe and performed the utsavam in a manner
befitting the Paramatma, in the month of Purattasi, beginning in the Shukla
Paksha on the star Chitra . Pleased at Brahma's devotion and fervour, the
Lord has blessed those who undertake performance of this annual event with all
that they could desire on this earth and a sojourn at Brahmaloka,
thereafter.
A few words regarding "Utsavam".
The term "Utsavam"
denotes something which affords infinite pleasure ("Utsoote harsham iti
Utsava:"). Could there be anything more pleasurable than the sight of the
infinitely beautiful Parama Purusha Venkatesa, bedecked in all His finery,
adorning the streets of Tirumala along with His Consorts?
"Savam" denotes a
sacrifice or Yaga. "Utsavam" indicates Yaga of an exalted order, the
highest of sacrifices. Among the numerous Yagyas mentioned in the Vedas, like
Jyotishtomam, Asvamedham, Vaajapeyam etc., all of which are after all forms of
worshipping the Parmapurusha, this (Brahma's mode) form of worship is not only
infinitely more pleasurable for the onlookers, but affords manifold merits,
compared to other forms of Yagyas. Hence the name "Utsavam" for this
magnificent ten-day event.
BrahmOthsavam at Thirumala is an occasion , when
bhakthAs flock from all corners of the world ( Bhu lokam and Deva lokam ) and
jostle with each other to get the darsanam of the Lord in splendid attire and
jewelery . On the first day of Brahmothsavam (DhvajaarohaNam day) , Garudan is
sent to Sathya lOkam to invite Brahma to come to Thirumala to conduct the
Lord's festival .Gods like Indhra , Yama , Kubera, Agni , Vaayu and sages like
Vasishta and Viswaamithra accompany Brahama
to witness this splendid festival of Brahmothsavam
for nine days.
Lord of Venkatam hills is taken around the raaja
veedhis of Thirumala in different vaahanams in the morning and in the evening.
In between are unjal sevais . Each vaahanam has
its own significance to convey the different tatthvams and messages of the
Lord of Sapthagiri . On the evening of the first day and the morning of the
second day , the Lord travels around in Pedda and Chinna Sesha Vaahanams
respectively to honor His ancient daasan ( Aadhi sEshan) , who has
manifested as the Sesha Hills ( SeshAdhri) to hold the Lord on His head .
The other Vaahanams adorned by the Lord of
Thirumala on subsequent days are:
Hamsam(Swan) , Simham ( Lion ) , Kalpaka
Vruksham ( Boon granting
divine tree) , Garudan , HanumAn , Gajam ( Elephant) , Surya Prabha,
Chandra Prabha , RaTam ( Chariot ) , Sarva bhupaala vaahanam ,Pallakku
( Palanquin ) and Asvam (Horse). The fifth day of Garuda Vaahanam and
the eighth day of Rathothsavam attract the largest number of devotees .
On the ninth day , the Chakram (Sudarsanam ) is
given a bath (Chakra SnAnam ) in Swamy PushkaraNi while the Lord watches
His Sankalpa sakthi ( power of volition) take His bath and conclude the
uthsavam . As a final formal act , the Garuda Dhvajam is lowered (Dhvajavarohanam) until
the next Brahmothsavam ; the gods take the Lord's permission and recieve His
blessings prior to returning to their homes .
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