SRIKALAHASTI

THE EPISODES OF KALA AND HASTI

As these two - Kala - serpent and Hasti - elephant merged with the Lord concurrently, it becomes expediment to narrate the stories together for better rapport.

Regarding Kala - the serpent, it was a brahmin in previous birth and an ardent devotee at it. He lived in Himalayas and mastered the ancient Sanskrit lore to the envy of his caste people. One day he chanced to see a Gandharva worshipping the Sivalinga with gems. On enquiry, he learnt that worship with gems ensures Sayujya mukti, the highest of similar ones like Salokya-living in the same place of the Lord; Sarupya - having the same form of the Lord; Sannidhya living in the proximity of the Lord. As Sayujya alone release: one from the vicious circle of births and deaths by merging in the Lord, he wanted it and so prayed for the life of a serpent al the time of death that alone procures as many gems as possible from the sea-the source of all kinds of gems. The Lord grantee it. Accordingly the serpent was worshipping the Lord at Kalahasti, offering gems every day with great regularity and steadfastness. It knew its past life and was aware of its aspiration - Sayujyamukti also.

[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]