BALAKRISHNA OF UDIPI

ADVENT OF LORD KRISHNA'S IDOL

The worship of the Sivalinga representing Siva and Vishnu with several names went on for long, and this Harihara kshetra enjoyed absolute harmony and spiritual sublimity, and lured devout Hindus throughout the year. With the advent of Madvacharya, it acquired an additional divinity, and its reputation started soaring higher and outshone the centuries old shrines. To be precise, it was only after the installation of Lord Krishna's image, the temple's glory developed in all directions. It has an awe-some story and it happened when Madvacharya made this temple as his permanent Pitha for preaching his Dwaita philosophy heralding a new era in the history of Indian Philosophy.

The story goes that the archamurthi receiving pujas now in the temple was buried in a lump of goopi mud in Rukmini vana in Dwaraka. And it was the same image that fulfilled the ardent desire of Mother Yasoda, and was devoutly worshipped by Rukmini in Dwaraka. Once Mother Yasoda expressed her desire to Krishna to reveal the spectacles of his enchanting buy-hood sports and, please her as he did to Mother Yasoda. As the appeal had a ring of sincerity, he at once entertained her by changing himself into Balakrishna and recreating the whole panorama - actually he teased Mother Devaki with wanton mischief by crying for more butter; breaking the pots for the insufficient quantity given; forcing her sitting down; climbing up her lap; suckling her breasts one after another making smacking sounds etc.

[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]