Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Literary Mention

Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Literary Mention

Puranic literature which was composed roughly around the post-Mauryan and early Gupta era also mentions of Tirupati as the Aadhivaraha Kshetra. The Puranas associate the site with lord Varaha, one of the incarnations of lord Vishnu. The Varaha shrine holds great importance in Tirumala and is said to be older than the main Sanctum of Venkateswara. Even up to the time of Ramanuja, the famous Vaishnava Scholar of 12'" century, the identity of the deity was still disputed until Ramanuja confirmed it to be Vishnu.

It was probably a well-established Hindu shrine by 5"' century AD. Henceforth, the Alvars of Vaishnava saints who led the Bhakti or Devotional movement in South India sung in praise of Lord Venkateswara as Vishnu. For centuries Tirupati was richly endowed by the kings and emperors of' various dynasties. Thus, adding to its current reputation as the richest and most opulent temple in the world.

Venkatachalam is also mentioned in early classical Tamil literature. It is mentioned as Vengadam hill in the ancient Tamil Grammar Tholkappiam. The deity is however, not mentioned either in Tholkappiam or by the Sangama poet Mamulanar, (2^nd Century AD), who also describes the "Vengadam" hill. All this literature has been described to a period pre- Christian Era. Some of the poems coming under this literature throw some light on Venkatachalam and its history. Poems from a work called the Agananuru also refers to Tirupati as Vengadam, and mention of a Vaduku.

The Chief Pulli, the ruler of 'Vengadam' Pulli has been considered to be a Velir Chief of ancient Tamil Nadu, ruling the Venkatachalam area in those days. Vengadam was in those days considered the Northern border of Tamil Nadu. Another ancient Tamil ruler named Thiraiyan, ruled Vengadam is also mentioned in those works.

The Tamil classic Silapathikaram, also mentions and describes the lord of Tirumala standing on the hill of Tirupati as follows: "High on Vengadam's towering crest, with flowing streams in flood. The bright glory of shining sun and moon like unto a blue cloud in lightening dress. In all the brilliance of rainbow light, the red-eyed great one, majestic stands in dress of flowery brilliance with garland bright, one lotus hand with fearsome disc adorned, and milk-white conch (the other held)".'

The author of this work, one Ilango Adigal is presumed to belong to the second or third century AD. The work indicates that there was Vishnu image with discus and conch on "Vengadam" hill. Besides the classical literature the hymns of the Vaishnavite Alvars also have abundant reference to Tiruvengadam of all the twelve Alvars except for the Tondarpodi Alvar and Madurai Kari Alvar. The rest have sung in Tirupati.

Kamba Ramayana also refers to Vengadam and its holiness in its Kishkinda Kandam. (Nadavitta pudalam stanzas 29, 27 and 28) it runs to as follows: Commanding his armies under different leaders to proceed in different directions in search of Sitadevi, Sugriva says to Hanuman you reach the cool Vengadam hill which is overgrown with forest of bee-hives, which limits the boundary between the northern and southern languages, which contains the truth enshrined in the four Vedas and all the Sastras, which is the abode of all good deeds and which stands out as the eternal Satya.

There is a reference to Tirupati in Sanskrit literature as well N. Ramesan in his book entitled "The Tirumala Temple" refers to Champu Kavya in Sanskrit composed by Venkatadhavan son of Raynatha Deekshitha and Sitamba. The book is reported to be in the form of a dialogue between two gandharvas and describes the different sacred temples and places in the country from Badri to Sethu. In the course of this pilgrimage a visit to Seshachala and Tirumala temple is also mentioned. In Telugu literature also, there are abundant references to Thiruvengadam and its lord.

The foremost amongst such literary pieces, which refers to Thiruvengadam, is Sri Krishnadevaraya’s Amukthamalyadha. Krishnadevaraya was a great devotee of Lord Venkateswara. He visited Tirumala seven times and presented a plenty of Jewellery and ornaments to the Lord. The king was the Author of Amukthamalyadha written in AD 1516. This book deals with the life of Andal and Periyalvar, and is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara.

Another important Telugu book "Raghavabhudayam" written by Chintalapalli Chayapathi. It is also dedicated to lord Venkateswara. The poet belonged to the 18^th century. Vengamamba, a famous poetess hailed from Tarigonda, Chittoor district had intense devotion and faith in Lord Venkateswara. She belonged to second half of 18^th century and first half of 19^th century. She is reported to have offered a Muthyalaharam (Pearl necklace) in silver plate embedded with pearls for use each night to Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi.

The famous composers Thyagaraja, Muthuswamy Deekshithar, Annamacharya, Purandaradasa etc., all have composed songs in praise of the deity. Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham hymns were composed by Prativadi Bhayankara Annangaracharya during 13^th century and consists of 70 slokas in four parts including Suprabhatham (29), Stotram (11), Prapthi (14) and Mangalasasanam(16). Tallapaka Annamacharya (Annamayya), the poet saint of 14^th century, one of the greatest Telugu poets and a great devotee of Lord Venkateswara, had sung 32000 songs in praise of Lord Venkateswara. All his songs which are in Telugu and Sanskrit, are referred to as Sankeerthanas and are classified as Sringara Sankirtanalu and Adhyatma Sankirtanalu. He also wrote a book called "Venkateswara Satakam".