AHOBALAM

ANTIQUITY

Though the legend has its beginning in Vaikunta at the Mahadwara of the Lord's Chamber, when the sentinels -Jaya Vijaya barred the entry of Santakumars, the entire drama was enacted in Bhuloka in the region lying amidst Nallamalai Hills. The present Ahobalam was the capital of Hiranyakasipu's kingdom. With the queer boon of not meeting death by any person Surasuras or man or beast; at any time -day or night; any place - on the earth, in the sky and over the water, he proclaimed his exalted creed -"Ahambrahmasmi - I am the highest" -- the most heinous sacrilegious dogma and started propagation. With total submission, all implemented it in absolute tight-lipped silence. But not his son, the darling boy, only five years old in physical age, but centuries in spiritual. He opposed it tooth and nail. The power-intoxicated could not brook opposition, be it from his nearest. So -ordered his men, experts in cruelty to subject him to torture till he repeated and accepted his creed. So the urchin was subjected to a series of agonizing torments, like throwing from the highest peak; trampling by elephant, shutting in snake chamber, thrusting poison down the throat, frying on the pan, and dipping in sea with a mountain on head; but to no effect. The devotion-dipped soul brushed aside saying that his is tadaivam Sri Mahavishnu is the only Highest and He alone to be adored, and is seen everywhere and ever present in all the created.

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