A Fitting Lesson to the First Servant
Sri Veeraraghava-Perumal---Thiruvallur
Episode - 12
Part 2
My wife Gopika, daughter Madhavi (9), son Sanjeev (5) and I got up early and reached Tiruvallur by 5 a.m. The decorated 'Garuda vahana', carrying the benevolent 'Veeraraghava' in all His glory radiating compassion, was ready for the procession.
We were recieved with temple honours. The present 'parepattedar' in Tirumala temple, Sri Seshadri and some other TTD staff were also there to take part in the festival. Temple officials suggested that we have 'darshan' of the Lord and consort before we joined the procession.
Part 2
My wife Gopika, daughter Madhavi (9), son Sanjeev (5) and I got up early and reached Tiruvallur by 5 a.m. The decorated 'Garuda vahana', carrying the benevolent 'Veeraraghava' in all His glory radiating compassion, was ready for the procession.
We were recieved with temple honours. The present 'parepattedar' in Tirumala temple, Sri Seshadri and some other TTD staff were also there to take part in the festival. Temple officials suggested that we have 'darshan' of the Lord and consort before we joined the procession.
Sri Veeraraghava Swamy brahmotsavam
The wonderfully decorated statue of Veeraraghava Swamy in reclining position in the sanctum sanctorum was a feast to the eyes. The priests began the 'archana' after ascertaining our 'gotra namas'. Our son Sanjeev, who had been active till then, complained of stomach pain all of a sudden. "It would abate, be patient", we told him. But within a few seconds, his pain intensified. Clutching his stomach, he fell on the floor and started writhing. Seshadri whisked away the boy outside, so that our worship was not disturbed.
The 'archana' was over a few minutes later. We went into the Ammavari temple in the same premises. Meanwhile, Seshadri returned to report that Sanjeev was still lying in the car groaning. Our reliable driver Gopal has been put incharge of him and a doctor summoned. We felt we could go out and see him immediately after the 'archana' in the Ammavari temple was over. The priests started 'archana' there.
Sri P.V.R.K Prasad with wife Smt.Gopika and children Miss Madhavi , Master Sanjeev and TTD Parepathedar Sri.Seshadri
A few seconds after the 'archana' began, it was the turn of our daughter Madhavi to develop stomach pain. As the pain worsened within seconds, she started writhing in agony. Mr. Seshadri once again managed to send the girl outside. We were midway through the 'archana' when the children's mysterious ailments distracted our minds. Should we focus on the 'archana' or attend to the children? The priests continued to recite the glory of the Goddess, but our minds were elsewhere. Gopika and I gazed at each other. Concerned over the children's agony, Gopika kept looking outside. But we were not inclined to walk out in the middle of the 'archana'.
The chief priest, who observed our predicament, expressed his misgivings, "It is very uncommon for such a thing to happen here. There appears to be some shortcoming - something has gone wrong somewhere ... !!". Gopika looked askance at me. As I traversed down the memory lane, the comment that I had made about the salt and jaggery tradition the previous night struck me. "Have I committed an indiscretion by passing such a derogatory comment? ", I questioned myself. "Was it not impertinent on my part?"
The very next moment, I got the answer. Guilt - stricken I gave money to Seshadri and urged him to fetch salt and jaggery urgently for offering them to the Lord as per tradition. Meanwhile, I prayed to Veeraraghava Swamy, "Oh Lord, pardon me for my indiscretion". But could prayers be the panacea for tummy ache? Somehow, we did not feel like leaving the temple to see the children without offering salt at the feet of the Lord.
A few minutes later, Seshadri returned not merely with salt and jaggery but also with Madhavi and Sanjeev smiling and jumping. Gopika and I could not believe our eyes. The children, who had been writhing in pain and had to be carried out a short while ago, were seen sprinting back into the temple. The priests, other temple staff and devotees, who had all witnessed the scene were pleasantly surprised. An unusual calm descended on us.
With redoubled devotion, we offered salt at the feet of Lord Veeraraghava Swamy and immersed jaggery in the 'pushakarini'.
It was only then that I seemed to realize that God is omnipresent and one and the same whether at Tirumala or Tiruvallur - or in any other temple, small or big, rich or poor, popular or otherwise. It is only our narrow mentality and inability to perceive Lord everywhere and in everything that makes us attribute superiority to certain forms and temples.
Was I guilty of not practicing 'samabhavana' in the illusion of being "the first servant of the Lord"? Did the Lord subject me to this ordeal to enlighten me that all forms are His and all names are His and that wisdom lies in perceiving this truth.
Was I guilty of not practicing 'samabhavana' in the illusion of being "the first servant of the Lord"? Did the Lord subject me to this ordeal to enlighten me that all forms are His and all names are His and that wisdom lies in perceiving this truth.
OM NAMO SRINIVASAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA