His other myriad qualities are explained in the prayer stating that all the others like Gods, sages, planets, devotees, scholars, the humblest and the mightiest are all awaiting for His worship with sacred and auspicious puja materials in their hands while the sun is rising in the east and lotus flowers are blossoming in the lakes and all around the sweet sounds of chirping birds fill the air. He is referred to as The Lord in ten incarnations (Dasavatara). He is referred to as a granter of boons to His devotees, a supreme friend of the world, the very abode of righteousness, the ocean of mercy for all the worlds and as the One who has a very handsome form wherein Sri Lakshmi sits enthroned. His devotees are calling Him by various names such as Vasudeva, Madhava, Govinda, Janardhana, Chakrapani and await His commands. Then follows the description of the Lord by several names such as the King of Seshadri Hills, Vrishabhachala etc. The third and fourth verses are addressed to Sri Lakshmi as the consort of the Lord describing Her as the Divine Mother of the Universe whose beauty and qualities of head and heart are beyond words. As one who is having Garuda Dhwaja (one who has the Garuda, the Lord of birds as insignia in His flag) and as the consort of Goddess Lakshmi. Beseeching Him to wake up as the day has dawned and the daily ablutions and rituals are to be performed. In this Part which is called Suprabhatam the first verse is addressed to Rama, the auspicious son of Kausalya.
Prayer praising Him for His glory, auspiciousness and craving for His benediction Prayer surrendering oneself at the Lord’s Lotus Feet Prayer praising and entreating The Lord for protection Morning Prayer waking up The Lord from His Yoga Nidra It consists of four parts as per the details given below.
This hymn consisting of 70 verses was written in Sanskrit by Prativadi Bhayankara Annan. One who reads or listens to this hymn of scintillating poetry will find oneself lost in its devotional depths as well as enchanting lyrical and musical values and pronunciation. M.S.Subbulakshmi made its devotional stirrings spread throughout the world. Only after the recitation of this hymn the doors of the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Deity are opened.īy her masterly soulful rendering of this hymn, the late Queen of Music Smt. It is ennobling and soul elevating to hear this hymn being recited by the temple priests. The last Seva for the day is called Ekantaseva, which takes place alter 10.30 in the night.Īmong all the Sevas offered to the Deity, the Suprabhata Seva is considered very significant and much sought after because it is in the form of singing the Hymn of Morning Salutation to Lord Venkateswara. This is called Venkatesa Suprabhatam or a supplication to wake up The Lord from His Yoga Nidra. The first Seva of the day starts at 3 am. Daily Rituals or Sevasįrom times immemorial the daily routine of various Pujas or Sevas go on at fixed time schedules. The place where the Lord actually abides in the hills is Venkatachala. These hills in course of time came to be known as Tirumala while the town at the foot of the hills is known as Tirupati. Names of the Seven Hills at Tirumala, Tirupati The Tirumala hills that are presided over by Lord Balaji comprise of seven peaks or Shikharas which have the following names. From the early Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas to the Vijayanagar Emperors and the East India Company of the British in India, almost all the kings and chieftains that ruled the land patronized this temple of Seven Hills.
The image of Lord Balaji at the temple is said to be an Udbhavamurthi (spontaneously manifested) and does not conform to any known Agama traditions. To substantiate this story there is a temple for Varahaswamy on the bank of the Pushkarini tank at the left side of the main temple entrance at Tirumala. Lord Vishnu manifested Himself there as Srinivasa or Venkatesa to stay on the earth for the welfare of the mankind. The story goes that Lord Vishnu as Varaha (the boar) decided to make the earth as His abode and Garuda brought down the hill of Vaikuntha to the earth for His residence. THE temple of Sri Venkateswara (Balaji) at Tirumala, Tiupati in Andhra Pradesh is perhaps the most popular of all the Hindu temples in our country. This essay originally appeared in the June, 1999 issue of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ illustrated monthly ‘Sapthagiri’ which is revised here.