Sreepada Sreevallabha Charitaamrutam - 6

Chapter – 6

The story of Narasaavadhaani

Next day after finishing meditation, and worship etc. Tirumala Das began to narrate. Sir!Sreepada Sreevallabha is the origin for all this movable and immovable creation. He is like a banyan tree. His sub incarnations are all like branches of that tree. The roots growing down from the branches of the banyan tree, though appear to have independent nature their base is the banyan tree only. From deities, devils to all living creatures He is the refuge, and resort. All forces emanate from Him and again they merge in Him.

 To a person who reached the summit all ways look alike. In the same way people of different traditions find synthesis in the philosophy of Datta. All beings are surrounded by an aura. When I was in Pithapuram a Yogi came there. He was indicating how much aura was around a particular statue or how long the aura of a particular person in a particular colour extended. He visited Sri Kukkuteswara temple and wanted to test the length of the aura and its colour of Self-manifested Datta. He had the vision of Sreepada

Sreevallabha in the place of ‘Swayambhoo Datta’. Profuse white light resembling lightnings spread around His head. Encircling that white light blue light spreading up to the end of all directions became visible. That divine personage said to Yogi, “My child! You are wasting valuable time in mad pursuits to reckon the lengthwise expansion of the subtle bodies of others. First you think about yourself. Death is imminent to you in a few days. So think of the ways for getting salvation.

Verily I am Datta who is the origin of all doctrines and all truths! When great siddhas, great sages and great devotees invited Me with love I incarnated in this kali yuga in ‘Paadagaya kshetra’.”

 On hearing the preachings of Swamy the old tendencies of the Yogi got extinguished. His power of knowing the aura of the subtle body merged completely in Sreevallabha. Then he visited Sreevallabha at His own residence and became fortunate. That Yogi disclosed,“The pure white light spread around Sreepada reveal that Sreevallabha is very pure and is a complete yogaavatar . The blue light shows that He is filled with infinite love and mercy.” After the Yogi left an interesting discussion took place. “How is the division of four castes to be decided. Is it according to the differences in the aura of subtle bodies? Or is it according to the consideration of caste and gotra? To which caste upanayanam(the vedic investiture of sacred thread) has to be done? To which caste upanayanam according to the method of puraanas(quasi-religious legendary accounts) has to be performed? Is upanayanam related to the third eye located in the centre of the eye brows? Or is it some other special thing? What is medhajanam?” Such discussion continued very heatedly.Pandits could not arrive at an unanimous opinion. Sri Malladi Bapannaavadhanulu garu famous as a true saint was the president of Pithikapura brahmana samaajam. He was also called Baapanaaryulu. He was worshipping mainly sun and fire. He was invited to preside over a sacrifice that took place at Pithikapuram. At the end of the sacrifice there was torrential rain. All people were elated. Sri Vatsavaayi Narasimha Varma, a kshatriya requested Sri Bapannaavadhanulu to reside in their village. The request of Sri Varma was rejected. Sri Baapanaaryulu used to accept only the honorary remunerations given during sacrificial rites. If that money was tainted he was not accepting it. Sri Varma had a kapila  cow. He was very fond of it. It’s name was ‘Gayatri’.That cow was giving abundant milk. It was very gentle in nature. At that same time information reached Sri Varma that Gayatri was not to be seen and that it was missing. Sri Varma questioned Baapanaaryulu, who was an astrological pandit about the cow. Sri Baapanaaryulu disclosed that the cow was with Khan Saheb, a butcher in Syamalaambapuram (Samalkota). He also said that immediately one should go there and recover the cow failing which, it shall be killed. While sending a person to Syamalaambapuram Sri Varma laid a condition to Baapanaaryulu. The condition laid down was that, if Gayatri comes back according to the words of Sri Baapanaaryulu, he has to accept 3 putlu land (putlu is an extent of land that produces equal amount of grain of 2400 to 3000 seers) and a habitable residence as gifts. Baapanaaryulu was in a dilemma. If he would not accept the gift Sri Varma would allow the cow to be killed. Then the sin of go-hatya(killing of a cow) would be fall upon him. He thought that accepting the gift was better than becoming exposed to the sin of cow slaughter. Gayatri was rescued. The residents of Pithikapuram were fortunate. Sri Bapannaavadhanulu became a land owner of 3 putlu. He had residential accommodation for living.Sri Baapanaaryulu had a son by name Venkaavadhani and a daughter by name Sumati. The horoscope of Sumati had all auspicious features and her gait resembled the royal walk of an empress. So she was named as ‘Sumati Maharani’.The name and fame of Sri Baapanaaryulu spread on all directions.

A brahmin boy named Appala Lakshmi Narasimha Raja Sarma with the surname ‘Ghandikota’ came to Pithikapuram from Iyanavilli, a village in Godavari region. He hailed from the lineage of Bharadwaja Sage, Apasthamba Sutra and belonged to Velanati Vaidika sect. There was the idol of Kaalaagni Shamana Datta in his house. During the time of worship, that idol was talking to Raja Sarma clearly, and was giving him instructions. Appala Raja Sarma lost his parents in his childhood. One day while worshipping Kaalaagni Shamana directed Raja Sarma to complete his education under the guidance of Malladi Bapannaavadhani belonging to Haritasa gotra, Apasthamba Sutra and Vaidika Velanati sect. So Raja Sarma came to Pithikapuram.

 As Datta ordered, Sri Baapanaaryulu provided boarding facilities in his house to Raja Sarma who came to him as a student. He did not allow him to beg for food in various houses. Sri Baapanaaryulu used to worship Lord Shiva during the time of Sani-pradosha(Saturday evening). The ladies of the house were performing religious ceremonies to Lord Shiva during the time of Sani-pradosha.In ancient times Nanda and Yashoda performed worship of Shiva during the time of Sani-pradosha. As a result they were blessed with the fortune of bringing up Sree Krishna.

Sri Narasimha Varma, Sri Pynda Venkatappayya Sreshti and some other prominent vysyas (those belonging to merchant community) were unfailingly participating in the adoration of Shiva along with Sri Baapanaarya.The Voice from Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy about the marriage between Sumati and Appala Raja Sarma.Once during the Sani-pradosha time after the worship of Lord Shiva, a brilliant electric lustre beamed from Sree Kukkuteswara Shiva Linga. Then a profound voice was heard saying, “My child! Baapanaaryaa! You give your daughter Sumati Maharani in marriage with Appala Raja Sarma unhesitatingly. The universal weal would be achieved. No individual in this animate or inanimate creation has any authority to violate this great decision. This is the decision of Lord Datta.” This voice was heard by Pynda Venkatappayya Sreshti, Narasimha Varma and all those who were present. All of them were astonished. Information was sent to relatives, kith and kin of Raja Sarma in Aiyanavilli. Marriage of Raja Sarma with Sumati Maharani was decided. It was a regrettable matter that Raja Sarma did not have even a house. Sri Pynda Venkatappayya Sreshti said that he had many houses and that he would offer one of them to Raja Sarma. Raja Sarma would not accept any donation. Sreshti spoke with the relations of Raja Sarma and arranged for the evaluation of the house that he would own as a heirloom. It was valued as worth one varahaa(a coin of money equals to Rs.3½ to Rs.4/-). The house of Sreshti was valued at a minimum of 12 varahaas. Raja Sarma expressed his inability to pay the difference of 11

varahaa. Then Sreshti stated that he would sell his house for one varahaa  only. Sreshti said, “If you object to take the house as a gift, you take the house by paying one varahaa.” All have agreed that whatever is stated by Sreshti was according to the

tenets of dharma. The marriage of Sumati Maharani and Appala Lakshmi Narasimha Raja Sarma took place amid the chanting of vedas by great vedic scholars. The marriage was conducted to the accompaniment of auspicious melodies from musical instruments in a grand manner.

The incarnation of Sreepada Sreevallabha came to dispel the darkness of ignorance. It arrived to remove the limping progress of people in physical, and spiritual matters.

Therefore, Lord Datta commanded the deity of time, and deity of action. In pursuance of His command one blind boy representing gloomy ignorance and a lame boy representing the halting progress in worldly and supra-worldly spheres were born to Raja Sarma. Sumati, Raja Sarma were greatly dismayed that their two children were disabled. There is a famous Vigneswara Temple in Aiyanavilli. Once their relations brought the holy offering of that Lord Vigneswara to Pithikapuram. Sumati and Raja Sarma received the maha prasaad . That night Iraavata (elephant) was seen by Sumati Maharani in her dream. In the next few days Conch, Disc, Mace, Lotus, Trident, various Deities, Sages, Siddhas, Yogis and other similar holy persons were appearing in her dream. After some days she was experiencing divine revelations even in her wakeful state. When her eyes were closed, she was viewing hermits doing penance, sages and others with divine lustre, and variegated hues like pictures on a screen. When Sumati Maharani consulted her father Baapanaarya, he said that all those signs indicate the birth of a great Maha Purusha with complete auspicious features. The uncle of Sumati Maharani, Sreedhar Pandit said, “Ammaa! Sumatee! There is relationship between ‘Visakha’ – the birth star of the planet ‘Ravi’ and the incarnation of ‘Sree Rama’.Similarly, there is relationship between ‘Krittika’ –  the birth star of the planet ‘Chandra’ and the incarnation of ‘Sree Krishna’. There is a relationship between the planet ‘Mars’ born in  ‘Poorvaashada’ star and the incarnation of ‘Sree Lakshmi Narasimha’. There is a relationship between the planet ‘Budha’ born in ‘Sravana’ star and the incarnation of ‘Buddha’. There is a relationship between the planet ‘Jupiter’ born in ‘Purva Phalguni’ star and the incarnation of  ‘Vishnu’. There is a relationship between the planet ‘Venus’ born in ‘Pushyami’ star and the incarnation of ‘Bhargava Rama’. There is a relationship between the planet ‘Saturn’ born in  ‘Revati’ star and the incarnation of ‘Kurma (tortoise)’. There is a relationship between the planet ‘Raahu’ born in ‘Bharani’ star and the incarnation of ‘Varaaha (wild boar)’. There is relationship between the planet ‘Ketu’ born in ‘Aslesha’ star and the incarnation of ‘Matsya (fish)’. The time of your question concerns a divine secret. Therefore, a doubt is lurking in my mind that Lord Datta who controls the position and movement of crores of planets,stars, and greater universes is likely to be born.” 

  The perennial excellence and grandeur of Lord Datta

That information was conveyed by Sumati Maharani to Raja Sarma. Raja Sarma said that he would ask ‘Kaalaagnishamana Datta’ during the time of worship. None should see during the worship of ‘Kaalaagnishamana’. After worship Datta sits face to face in human form and speaks. Then He would merge in the idol. This was a daily affair. Raja Sarma would not submit petty matters or selfish problems. That day during the time of worship Datta appeared very placid. After the worship, Datta sat before Raja Sarma. He called, “Come Sridharaa!” One form emerged from Datta and immersed in meditation before Datta.Datta again made sign with his finger and called, “Come Sridharaa!” Immediately that form merged in Datta. Raja Sarma was wondering at this. Lord Datta told Raja Sarma, “The form you have just seen is one of the sub-incarnations that come in the ensuing years. Even the liberated souls who merge in Me should come out, when I call them. When I order to depart they should fade out at once. My sportive excellence is not limited only to the earth. All the globes in the universe are play balls in My hands. If I kick once with My leg one is thrown away into billions of miles! I am beyond birth and death. Saying so, He touched the centre of eyebrows of Raja Sarma. Immediately it dawned upon Raja Sarma that he was born as Vishnu Datta in one of the yugas and his wife with the name Suseela was born as Somidevamma at that time. All the past came to his memory. Sree Datta spoke thus “When I appeared before you in that yuga I asked you to request for any wish. You did not ask for correct wish. You invited me to your house for partaking meals in connection with annual ceremony of your ancestors. I took meals along with Sun and Fire Gods, I granted permanent ‘Brahma Loka’ to your forefathers. I want to incarnate as Sreepada Sreevallabha. For the last 100 years I am giving my

darshan as Sreepada Sreevallabha to Yogis and great people. In treat yuga Sage Bharadwaja conducted SaavitraKaathaka Chayanam sacrifice in Pithikapuram. The holy ashes of that sacrificial fire formed into huge mountains. Hanuman carried those ashes to heaven, earth and Patala (Lower) worlds. In ‘Martya Loka’ those ashes were thrown in Dronagiri of Himalayan region and in some other regions. While Hanuman was carrying those ashes one small piece fell in Gandharvanagar (Ganugapur). Gandharvanagar is the holy confluence of Bhima and Amaraja rivers. After retracing My incarnation as Sreepada Sreevallabha I will be born as Sri Nrusimha Saraswati in Meena Lagna. I will display many miracles in Gandharvanagar and remain for 300 years in the Kadali Vana of SreeShaila in tapo samaadhi . After that I live in Prajnapuram with the name of Swamy Samardha and leave my mortal body when Saturn enters Meena raasi.” Raja Sarma explained to his wife the announcements of Lord Datta. Satya Rusheeswar Baapanaaryulu averred, “My child! Raja Sarmaa! You were the pious one who offered meals during annual ceremony of your ancestors to Lord Datta, Sun God and Fire God in the ancient times. Datta in any form may ask for meals during this birth. Even if that happens to be a day of ceremony in memory of the manes and even if the revered guests have not taken meals. You offer meals to Datta when He asks without any hesitation. My child! Sumatee! Please keep a note of these things carefully.” “Shankar Bhatt! The sportive plays of Lord Datta are unprecedented, unthinkable and unheard of so far.” 

  Birth of Sreepada Sreevallabha

On a Mahaalaya Amaavaasya day Raja Sarma was making arrangements for the ceremony of his ancestors. Then a cry of supplication “Bhavati! Bhikshaam Dehi” was heard at the entrance of the house in the street. Sumati Maharani gave alms to the Avadhoota (who is freed from all worldly bonds). He asked her to request for any boon. Sumati said to Avadhoota, “Sir! You are an Avadhoota. Your words are self-fulfilling ones. Elders are saying that the incarnation of Sreepada Sreevallabha will be attracted towards the earth very shortly. In what form Lord Datta is now roaming? It is heard that Lord Datta is wandering on this earth from the last one hundred years. You told me to ask for any wish. I have a desire to see the form of Sreepada Sreevallabha.” On seeing those words Avadhoota broke into a horrible laughter that shook the worlds. Sumati Maharani felt that the whole universe in her vicinity disappeared in a trice. A 16 year handsome laid in the attire of a Sage appeared before her and said, “Mother! Verily I am Sreepada Sreevallabha. I am Datta. You wanted Me to show you Sreevallabha in  Avadhoota Form. To satisfy your desire I am giving you the vision of Sreevallabha. You can ask me for anything in this Sreevallabha form of Mine. You gave me food. In return I want to grant some boon. People in this world doing sinful acts intentionally derive bad results. If good deeds are done intentionally good results are achieved. Performing good deeds without any desire is called akarma. On account of akarma another result associated with punya or paapa has to be granted. That is under the control of God. Sri Krishna extolled Arjuna to kill Kauravas because he did akarma. The idea is that such killing will not entail any sin. The slaying of Kauravas was a divine decision. You and your husband did lot of akarma. Therefore, some things have to be done for the welfare of the world. Express your wish without any hesitation. I will definitely grant it.” 

  The desire of Sumati Maharani after the vision of Lord Datta 
 Sumati Maharani saw that supernal auspicious figure of Sreepada Sreevallabha and fell on His Feet and paid obeisance. Sreepada Sreevallabha lifted Sumati Maharani from the ground and said, “Mother! It is a ludicrous matter that a mother should fall on the feet of her child. It diminishes the life span of the child also.”Then Sumati submitted, “Lord Sreepada Sreevallabhaa! You called me ‘Mother’! Therefore, you agreed that ‘I’ am ‘Your Mother’ and ‘You’ are ‘my Child’. Yours is a true word. So make that word a reality. Please take birth as‘our son’.” Then ‘Sree Charana’ spoke thus, “Thadhaasthu!  (Be it as may be!) I will be born in the same form of Sreepada Sreevallabha which you witnessed now. Mother falling on the feet of the child results in the diminution of the life span of the child. I will not violate the principles of righteous conduct and destiny. Therefore, I will live for only 16 years as your child.” For that Sumati began to lament, “Oh! What an offence happened. Is the life only for 16 years.” Sreepada said, “Mother! I will cond

uct myself till 16 years according to your wishes. After 16 years a boy has to be regarded as a friend and no restrictions should be imposed. You should not compel Me to marry. You must give permission to Me to become an ascetic and wander freely. If you coerce Me against My will I will not remain in your house.” After saying that Sreepada quickly left the place.Sumati Maharani was dumb-founded for some time. She explained to her husband all that transpired. Appala Raja Sarma said, “Sumatee! Don’t grieve. Your father has already hinted that Sree Datta would visit our house seeking alms in this fashion. Sree Datta is an ocean of mercy. Let the birth of Sreepada Sreevallabha take place. Afterwards we may think

about other things.” The news that an avadhoota visited the house of Appala Raja Sarma spread in the town. It was discussed that bhiksha(alms) was offered to avadhoota even before the brahmins took their meals on the day of Mahaalaya Amaavaasya which was of utmost importance to the manes. Sri Bapannaavadhanulu said, “The birth of Sreepada Sreevallabha is known to all! To prostrate before anavadhoota is also proper! So there is no lapse on the part of Sumati. To prostrate before a child may shrink the life span but to prostrate before an avadhootais not wrong.” The brahmins of Pithikapuram were very much jealous about this matter. One scholar among them known as Narasaavadhaanulu was highly envious. “On amaavaasya day all people will be busy in performing commemorative ceremonies to their forefathers. It became a difficult problem to procure brahmin guests for the ritualistic feasts. However, Baapanaaryulu said that no difficulty would arise in the house of Appala Raja Sarma. Sri Raja Sarma was in meditation of ‘Kaalaagnishamana’. In the meanwhile, three guests arrived. The commemorative function of the forefathers was conducted without any obstacle. My child! Shankar Bhatt! Today it became an important debatable point whether vysyas have the authority for vedic sacred thread ceremony. The council of brahmins assembled. A scholar named Aasutosh of Navadweep from Bengal came to ‘Paadagaya Kshetra’. He was having old naadi books with him. He was also invited to the council of pandits. Sri Baapanaaryulu said that in spiritual discipline, “Brahmins, Vysyas, and Kshatriyas stand on an equal footing. Therefore,vedic upanayanam was admissible according to ancient dharma to those castes. For others upanayanam in the puranic tradition could be performed, if they so desire.Caste, gender and age were no impediments for attaining wisdom. There were vysya sages in siddhas and one vysya sage named ‘Laabhaada’ became a Siddha by the Grace of Lord Datta. Man would derive benefits in all endeavours if the grace of ‘Laabhaada Maharshi’ is available.Sri Baapanaarya’s decision was acclaimed by all. However, this decision became painful to a pandit known as Narasaavadhani. He was adept in dogmatic argument. He was a devotee of Goddess Bagalaamukhi. He worshipped that Goddess everyday. He would wash his face before commencement of arguments; he chants the incantation of Bagalaamukhi. Then he would proceed to argue. It was difficult to defeat him at that time. Sri Baapanaaryulu was a pious one who recited Gayatri mantra many crores of times. Both of them never indulged in a head-on-collision course during arguments. Narasaavadhani washed his face and meditated upon the mantra.Sreepada Sreevallabha was having very close relation with His maternal grandfather even from a very young age. So He was accompanying His grandfather to the meetings of brahman parishad (an assembly of brahmins).No one was obstructing that charming young boy. That day Narasaavadhani felt uneasy with the presence of Sreevallabha in the meeting. Narasaavadhani thought it was wrong for a young lad to attend a conference of great scholars. Before commencing arguments after reciting

Bagalaamukhi mantra, he questionedSreepada as to why He came there. For that Sreepada replied, “Gran’dad! It is not proper to attend uninvited. As you called Me in the prescribed systematic manner I came. I will go if you ask Me to go. What is it for Me? I am a free one! I am a boy.” Narasaavadhani thundered that Sreepada should quit. Sri Raja Sarma took his son away. Narasaavadhani who wanted to start arguments could not speak. In spite of great effort no word came out of his mouth. Aasutosh who was watching all this laughed hilariously. The decision of Baapanaaryulu was carried out in the meeting.Vedic upanayanam was prescribed for vysyas. A decision took place about the naadi books available with Aasutosh. It was suggested in the naadi books that the birth time of Sreepada Sreevallabha should be calculated according to the mathematical formulae given in the Sandra Sindhu Veda. It was determined that Sreepada was born in the early hours of Ganesh Chathurdhi in ‘Chitra’ star, in Simha (Leo) Lagna and Tula (Libra) raasi. About Sreepada it was mentioned that He was an incarnation of Sree Datta, and as His Feet were marked with all auspicious features, He bears a worthy name as Sreepada Sreevallabha. It was further noted that His horoscope should not be given to anyone and that it will reach in course of time through Akshya Kumar of Tripura belonging to Jain religion. All that would happen according to divine plan and it would reach Pithapuram as a part of divine play.

Aasutosh went to the house of Sreepada Sreevallabha to see Him. Sreevallabha said, “Todays’ star is Chitta.I am very much pleased if anyone worships Me on the day of My birth star.You came with pure devotion. So I am blessing you. Ask for any thing you desire.” Then Aasutosh said, “Lord! I learnt that Narasaavadhaani is a devotee of Bagalaamukhi. I thought of having a vision of Ambika through his assistance. My desire became a hope in vain. I understood that Ambika was furious with him.” Sreepada immediately said, “I am verily that Ambika which he is worshipping! Ambika who was with the subtle body of Narasaavadhani until then merged in Me the moment he asked Me to leave. I am the personification of all Gods and Goddesses.Have the fortune of Ambika darshan. Saying so, He appeared as Bagalaamukhi before Aasutosh. Fully satisfied Aasutosh left for Penusila Kona (Penchala Kona– Nellore District). He reached the land of penance of Kanva Maharshi in the forest of Penchala Kona as per the instructions of Sreepada. Sreepada told him that He would be born in Maharastra in the Vajasaneyi branch of Sage Kanva. He added that He will bless him when He incarnates again and that he will be one among His chief disciples who witness all the extra-ordinary miracles as a treat for his eyes. Sreepada asked him to immediately move. 

Marvellous spectacles appearing at the time of birth of Sreepada 

Then I said thus, ”Sir! Please narrate some more miracles of Sreepada witnessed by you. Let me have that fortune.” Then Tirumala Das began, “Shankar Bhatt!

Narasaavadhaanulu was enraged with Baapanaaryulu. He wanted to insult him somehow or other. He thought that Baapanaaryulu was responsible for his loss of favour with the deity Bagalaamukhi. He was propagating that Baapanaaryulu nullified his efficiency of that mantra

through some taantrik application. He was much more troubled about the details relating to the incarnation of Sreevallabha. He was arguing that the naadi books were unreliable, and that it was a sacrilege on the part of Baapanaaryulu to offer food to a fish-eating Bengali brahmin. He was further arguing that no man can be an incarnation of poorna-Brahma and that a young lad like Sreepada cannot be Lord Datta who is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. He was mischievously misrepresenting the supra normal activities of Sreepada who was uttering Pranava (Oum) from His infancy; who was speaking about scriptures in Sanskrit even when He was rollicking in the cradle; who was exhibiting extraordinary intelligence disproportionate to His age. He was spreading rumours that a brahmin vedic scholar who died took shelter in the body of the boy and was speaking in this unnatural way. He was maintaining that the Self-manifested Datta in Sri Kukkuteswara Temple was the real benefactor and that it was wrong to treat the boy as Datta.

When Sreepada Sreevallabha was born, a cobra with three hoods was holding its hoods as an umbrella where ever He was kept for 18 days. He came out of the mother’s womb as a dazzling illumination. Sumati Maharani fainted immediately after He was born. Auspicious musical notes from musical instruments were heard from the labour room. After some time an invisible voice warned all people to leave the room.Four vedas, eighteen

 puraanas, great persons arrived in the shape of brilliant lights to Greet Sreepada.Sacred vedic mantras were heard outside the room. Silence spread after sometime. This astonishing incident was perplexing and beyond comprehension even to Baapanaaryulu. 

The sportive plays of Sreepada’s childhood 

 

A year elapsed after the birth of Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha. He was attending the conferences of scholars alongwith His grandfather Sri Baapanaarya, even when he was a child of few months age. ‘Sree Charan’ used to freely walk, deliver discourses on scriptures and perform wonderful miracles even when he was a boy of few months age. The residents of Pithikapur were thinking that a great scholar who died, entered into the boy and was performing all these miracles. They were also thinking that Baapanaarya and Raja Sarma were wrongly considering Him as an incarnation of Datta without giving proper medical treatment to the boy and that was not an acceptable matter. As Pithikapuram is ‘Padagaya Kshetra’ and an important Kshetra for the departed ancestors; and as some taantriks who could speak with dead souls resided in Pithikapuram, such arguments as above gained strength. As I came from Malyadripuram, I was washing the clothes in the houses of Sri Baapanaarya and Sri Raja Sarma. The washerman who was washing the clothes in the house of Narasaavadhaani died due to old age, had one son. He migrated to ‘Kokanadam’ which is called VaayasapuraAgrahaaram (Kakinada). Therefore, I was engaged to wash the clothes in the house of Narasaavadhaani. As I was having intimacy with the family of Sri Baapanaarya, I was changed as a person of auspicious desires. The flame of spiritualism glowed in me. Instead of personally washing the clothes of Sri Narasaavadhaani, I entrusted the work to my eldest son Ravidas. If I see Narasaavadhaani on any day I was getting disturbance in my stomach and I was not in a position even to eat food. I was able to wash the clothes of those families who had auspicious desires.

Divyaanugraha of Sripada on Tirumaladas

 “Ravidasu is my eldest son born to my first wife. Instead of myself I was getting the clothes of Narasaavadhaani washed by Ravidas. Narasaavadhaani some how came to know about it. He ordered me to wash his clothes. Orders of elders are to be complied with! I washed the clothes while recollecting the name of Sreepada. Ravi Das took them to the house of Narasaavadhaani. Strangely, Narasaavadhaani felt as if scorpions, and poisonous centipedes crawled on his body when he wore the washed clothes. However, there was no effect on other members of his family. Narasaavadhaani was troubled as if his body was put on burning fire. The clothes were like apparels of fire for him. He sent word for me. He told me that I introduced some evil spirit into his clothes through witch craft and I would be punished for this heinous act. He lodged a complaint with the judicial officer. The judicial officer exonerated me. My child! Shankar Bhatt! The plays of Sreepada are unthinkable. After I returned home from judicial officer Sreepada came to our house as a fresh young person of 16 years. From the time of His birth Sreepada was appearing to his devotees according to His chosen age. It appears quite natural to those who were having direct contact with the sportive plays of Sreepada. With utter excited amazement I submitted, “Sir! You are born in a superior brahmin caste. It is not good to come to the colony of washermen.” For that Sreepada replied, “Who do you think is Narasaavadhaani. He is a washerman carrying on his head a load of sin comparable to a washerman’s bundle, whereas you are a washerman yearning for ‘Brahma gyana’ (knowledge of Absolute). Hence you are a superior brahmin. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for Me to come here.” Then I fell on the Feet of Sreepada and sobbed. Seeing me with His ambrosial looks He lifted me from the ground with His divine hands. He kept His divine hands on my head. Then the whole of my past life came to my memory. The yogic forces in me reached a state of momentum. The kundalini (coiled serpent powers lying in human beings)shakti was activated. Sreepada disappeared quietly with slow steps. Narasaavadhaani was growing thotakura in his house. The thotakura in his house was very tasty. He was not giving that vegetable to anyone even after their strong pleadings. Only when he was expecting great return from anyone, he was giving that thotakura to him. Sreepada requested His mother to cook thotakura curry. He asked her to collect the vegetable only from the house of Narasaavadhaani. This appeared as an

impossible thing. His grandfather Baapanaaryulu said, “My dear Sreepadaa! Tomorro morning you better request Narasaavadhaani to give you thotakura. I will carry you to their house. If Narasaavadhaani will not oblige, you should not insist about that matter.”

Sreepada agreed to that. Next morning Baapanaaryulu carried Sreepada to the house of Narasaavadhaani. Baapanaaryulu told Sreepada that elders should be respected and their blessings were to be obtained. Sreepada agreed. Narasaavadhaani sat on the pial outside his house. He was having a shikha(large tuft of hair coil) on his head. A barber just came there and he was trying to shave Narasaavadhaani. Sreepada who was sitting on the shoulders of His grandfather saw Narasaavadhaani and saluted him with folded hands. Narasaavadhaani was taken aback at this sudden happening. The incisive looks of Sreepada fell on the shikha on the head of Narasaavadhaani. The shikha on Narasaavadhaani’s head fell down effortlessly. He was in a confused state and did not understand how his shikha fell

on its own accord. Then Sreepada said to his grandfather, “Grand Paapaa The shikha at the top of Narasaavadhaani’s head was very dear to him. Now it fell down on its own accord. It will not be nice for Me to ask him now for green leafy vegetable which is very much loved by him. Why should I subject him to more misery when he is already having intense sorrow? Lets go to our house! After that Sreepada never asked for thotakura. Narasaavadhaani came to know the trick played in the salute made to him by Sreepada. When he sat in meditation a bright person closely resembling him came out of him. Narasaavadhaani asked him who he was and where he was going. That bright person said, “I am the punya sarira(body of merit) inside your body. You have recited vedas numerous times so far. You worshipped Self-manifested Datta. When that very Datta incarnated as Sreevallabha you insulted Him. If you have at least 1/1,00,000th degree of love and affection you harbour for your ‘Thotakura’ and ‘Pilaka’ (large tuft of hair) towards Sreepada, your birth would have been redeemed. Destruction of moha(infatuation) is moksha(liberation). You are shackled by the bonds of moha. You are going to face penury very shortly. To avert it Sreepada desired to take donation of vegetables from you. Had you offered Him thotakura as requested the impending poverty would have been neutralised. Not only that. You would have been granted with wealth. You have spoiled such an opportunity with your own hands. Even then Sreepada is an ocean of mercy. He is going to conceal His present incarnation and will take another incarnation. At that time you will take birth as a poor brahmin. You will grow thotakura in your house even then. At the appropriate time I will reenter your body. Afterwards Sreepada will visit your house and eat the curry of thotakura cooked and served with love. He will grant you riches. I am, however, leaving you for the present. The salutation of Sreepada was not intended for you. It was a command to me, who is an embodiment of your merit, to leave you and merge with Him. As you received the obeisance of Sreepada you lost the merit personified in my form residing in you. Only the personified sin remained in you.” Saying so the punya  purusha merged in Sreepada. From that time onwards the living conditions of Narasaavadhaani deteriorated. No one was caring for his word. The lustre that was in his body disappeared. Cholera spread in Pithikapuram. Many people were dying. The doctors concluded that due to the pollution of water, bacteria was growing and they were responsible for the spread of epidemics. Fear stricken people prayed to Baapanaarya to save them from the dreadful disease, and to find out the ways prescribed by scriptures for the good of the people. They requested him to take suitable steps immediately. Sri Baapanaaryulu viewed the problem with inner sight. He found out that the disease was caused by pollution in the airy hemisphere and not due to the pollution of water. The doctors bluntly said that the statement of Baapanaaryulu was against the tenets of medical science and, therefore, it was not acceptable. People were performing various poojas to village Goddess and offering many animal sacrifices to appease Her. When an animal is killed its life force would be forcibly released. By chanting of mantras

 that life force would come under the control of the person offering the animal sacrifice. Baapanaaryulu stated that many yogic practices were available for increasing the praanic force, and that many saatwic (sobrietic) ways of worship existed; and saatwic modes of worship were to be adopted to propitiate the village Goddess. In spite of that advice, people did not stop offering animal sacrifice. Some person who had faith in Sreepada Vallabha and His divine actions asked Sreepada about this matter. Then Sree Charana told them that He ordered village Goddess not to ask for animal sacrifice; and that she went to the sea-side for a bath; and that by offering milky pudding Goddess Kaali would be pacified. He directed that the information should be widely made known to the people of that village and the nearby villages through a proclamation by the beat of a tom-tom on a leather drum. When asked who should be employed for the purpose Sreepada told them that Venkayya who was suffering from cholera was to be selected for the job and he must be told that it was His command. The faithful devotees of Sreevallabha went to Venkayya. Venkayya was nearing death. When the command of Sreepada was conveyed he fainted. After a ghadiya he became normal and regained complete health. This news became a widely discussed item in Pithikapuram. The proclamation by the beat of tom-tom was made by Venkayya. Baapanaarya wanted a big vessel filled with water, to be placed in his presence. He chanted some mantras capable of destroying the poisonous creatures. Those poisonous worms from the airy region fell into the watery vessel making a fluttering sound. The impurity in the airy region was eliminated. The dreadful disease left Pithikapuram. On Ganesh Chathurdhi which happened to be the birthday of Sreepada, Raja Sarma along with his wife took Sreepada to the house of Baapanaarya. Whenever Sri Baapanaarya tried to observe the Lotus Feet of Sreepada to see the auspicious signs his eyes were dazzled with very brilliant lights. So he could not see the auspicious signs of Sri Maha Vishnu. This was rather puzzling for him. On that day in the early morning Baapanaarya saw divine footprints on the husk extracted from the pounded rice. Baapanaarya asked his daughter Sumati, “Ammaa! who had gone this way?” Sumati replied, “Who else? Your beloved grandson went this way.” Those footprints appeared to belong to a boy of 16 years. The grandfather took Sreevallabha into his lap and observed His ‘Sree Charanams’(auspicious feet). Then the dazzling lights which were appearing before his eyes previously were not to be seen. The divine features declaring that He was really the incarnation of Lord

Datta appeared before him. He kissed the divine ‘Sree Charanams’ and decided that the boy was verily Lord Datta. Then some words were uttered from the mouth of Baapanaarya effortlessly. There was no need for their grammatical correctness or for their flawless prosody. Sreepada silently wiped the tears that trickled from the eyes of His grandfather.He said, “Grandfather! You attracted the vital force from the sun and transferred to the Mallikharjuna Shiva Linga in SreeShaila. At the same time the vital force from the sun was attracted towards the Mahabaleswar in Gokarna and the Self-manifested Datta in Paadagaya Kshetra. I wanted to charge the Gokarna Kshetra with much more energy. My intention was to liquidate the undesirable vibrations of the people in Mahabaleswara into the

 Aatma Linga of Parameswara and transmit good vibrations to the dependents. In the same way I wanted to invest Mallikarjuna who grants liberation by mere sight with more strength. You are a truthful sage. You decided that I would not be short lived because mother had saluted My feet. I affirmed that as My mother prostrated on My feet in the form of Sreevallabha I would live for a short span. To avoid conflict between our words I intend to live in your house for only 16 years. I have to favour the spiritual aspirants who desire release from the bonds of worldly existence. You want that I should live forever. I would fulfill that also. 
This magnificent divine shape bearing the name Sreepada Sreevallabha would be concealed. Even after the advent as Nrusimha Saraswati, this Sreepada Sreevallabha form would stand as an eternal reality. Incarnating as Nrusimha Saraswati, I would be in penance in the plantain forest for 300 years. Afterwards I take shape as Swamy Samartha in Prajnapur and transfer My life force into a peepul tree and merge in the Shiva Linga at SreeShaila.” Baapanaarya regarded all this with wonder and astonishment. The first birthday celebrations of Sreepada were held in His grandfather’s house with great pomp.

A strange thing happened that day in Pithikapuram. When Narasaavadhaani, the priest and some others went to Sri Kukkuteswara temple in the morning they found the idol of Self-manifested Datta missing. The news of the disappearance of the idol spread like wild fire in the village. A taantrik who was jealous of Narasaavadhaani undertook propaganda that Narasaavadhaani who was cultivating evil practices was the one who caused the disappearance of the idol. Then the brahmin community of Pithikapuram resolved to thoroughly search the house of Narasaavadhaani. When asked Baapanaarya said that truth will come out only after a steady wait, and that he felt silence was more appropriate at that time. He also added that he would speak at an opportune time. When some portions in the house of Narasaavadhaani were dug out human skulls, and some articles connected with evil rituals were found. Even though Narasaavadhaani was innocent, he was stamped as a practitioner of witch craft and evil worship. His health was going down day after day. There was a barren cow in his house. It was also treated as a bullock and used for agricultural activities. Narasaavadhaani did not feed it properly. The taantrik introduced an evil spirit in that cow. One day it broke down the bonds fastening it. It fiercely pierced the inmates of the house and destroyed the thotakura garden developed with love by its master. No one could bind it with rope. It was the day of the annual ceremony of Narasaavadhaani’s mother. ‘Gaaris’ (round cakes made of black gram) and some more victuals were prepared sumptuously. That cow ate the preparations in the cooking place of the house of Narasaavadhaani. The guests of the ceremony finished their meals by that time but, the inmates of the house did not take the meals. Sreepada was teasing His father Raja Sarma that they should go to the house of Narasaavadhaani. Raja Sarma took Sreepada with him and stood in front of the house of Narasaavadhaani. In the meanwhile the cow of the Narasaavadhaani came out. Sreepada asked His father to keep Him on the ground. That cow went round Sreepada thrice, and afterwards it prostrated before the auspicious feet of Sreepada and breathed it’s last.

This incident was commented upon by the people of Pithikapuram in various ways. It was commented that poison was mixed inadvertently in the black gram cakes; the holy guests of the ceremony were luckily saved but the cow died of the poisonous effect. It was also held that Narasaavadhaani would be guilty of killing a cow and that sin would affect him. These comments were causing lot of anguish to Narasaavadhaani. As the cow circumambulated Sreepada and died many people considered that Sree Charan possessed extraordinary divine qualities. As Raja Sarma was having some knowledge of ayurvedic medicine, he was treating Narasaavadhaani on his request. Whenever Raja Sarma was going to the house of Narasaavadhaani Sreepada was also going with him. Inspite of the greatness of Raja Sarma as a physician, the health of Narasaavadhaani deteriorated further. One day Narasaavadhaani died. Rumours, false propaganda, attempts at twisting untruth as truth and vice versa were very much rampant in Pithikapuram. Raja Sarma gave medicine with good intention but, his endeavour did not succeed. After all birth and death are under the control of God! Some people thought that Narasaavadhaani died on account of a

taantrik application by a taantrik . Some others thought that Raja Sarma did not treat Narasaavadhaani properly due to animosity and that he would have lived if treated by another doctor. Some others opined that it was unreasonable to regard Sreepada Sreevallabha as an incarnation of Datta. Inspite of daily visits by Sreevallabha to the house of Narasaavadhaani he died. Hence Sreepada was an ordinary boy. That was how some people thought about the matter. It was also resolved that as a cow died from poison Narasaavadhaani also died from the terrible sin of killing a cow and that some more corpses would go to the burial ground from that house. It was suggested that for the removal of the sin of cow-killing the following measures were to be taken. Liberal donations should be given to the brahmins, a golden idol of cow should be donated to the brahmins, propitiatory sacrifices should be conducted for 40 days, free meals should be served to the brahmins everyday during the period of sacrifices. These are measures for removing the sin of killing a cow. To organise all the above programmes the entire property of Narasaavadhaani had to be sold. This matter was also like a thunderbolt to the family of Narasaavadhaani.

The corpse of Narasaavadhaani was carried to the burial ground for funeral. Raja Sarma, Sreepada and Sri Baapanaarya consoled the family members of Narasaavadhaani.

The wife of Narasaavadhaani held the hands of Sreepada and wept, “Sreepadaa! I was going for a perantum(an assembly of married women at each others’ house during a festival) at any distance for a pinch of turmeric and kumkum(a fragrant red cosmetic). If you are Datta, is it impossible for You to revive your ‘Narasanna taata (grandfather).’Sreepada with an ambrosial heart wiped her tears with His divine hands and remained silent. The funeral procession started. Raja Sarma, Sreepada, Sri Baapanaarya, all of them participated in the funeral procession. The eldest son of Narasaavadhaani was trying to lit the funeral pyre. Two drops of tears from the eyes of Sri Sreepada fell on the ground. With a thundering sound Sri Sreepada said, “Oh! I saw a son lighting the pyre of a dead father, but, I have not seen a son lighting the pyre of living father.” Then all people were looking with astonishment. Sreepada slowly touched with his thumb the centre point of eye brows of Narasaavadhaani on pyre and again touched His own centre of eye brows. Narasaavadhaani was slowly regaining consciousness. Narasaavadhaani returned home in a sobha (auspicious) procession with all those who followed his corpse in the funeral procession. As Sreepada touched the centre point of his eye brows Narasaavadhaani realised the subtle secrets of the principle of karma. He understood that the barren cow in his house was his mother and the old bullock in his house was his father. Since both of them ill-treated his paternal grandmother in her old age they took such low births and laboured for him in a servile manner. It was also clearly envisioned by him that the mother cow while dying requested Sreepada to drink its milk and for that Sreepada assured that He would drink its milk in the next birth when it would be born as a barren cow. He also began to grasp the particular details of the subtle worlds. For instance it became clear to him that the taantrik 

who harmed him with taantrik application would die soon and that he would become a braminical fiend in the next birth and that Sree Charana as an ascetic would show mercy on him then. It was also known to him that in the next life he would also be favoured by Sreepada in the guise of an ascetic with abundant wealth. Then Sree Charana eats the preparations made from thotakura and uproots the creepers of the above green leafy vegetable with His own hands and grant vessels filled with gold coins. Narasaavadhaani saw the future very clearly. The sportive plays of Sreepada Sreevallabha are unprecedented and uncomparable. I will let you know tomorrow benevolent advice of Sreevallabha to Narasaavadhaani and his wife and the way in which He showed mercy to them. Let us remember the name of Sreepada Sreevallabha and spend some time in a bhajan(devoted singing in chorus) programme. Let us sing His name in a melodious chorus. Sree Charana moves in a subtle form in a place where His divine name is chanted. This is a literal truth.” 

I was immediately pleased and exalted because I got association of such a great devotee as Tirumaladas. 

Victory Victory unto Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha!