TIRUPATI

THE VRISHABHACHALA EPISODE

Regarding the legend of Vrishabhachala, one of the Seven Hills, its origin and end too are quite fascinating. It brings to light a particular queer desire of a certain bhakta and the means he chose to merge in the Lord. The beginning of the story of Vrishabhasura is more or less same and common with every assura, who due to predominance of tamasa pravrithi turn lokabhayankaras and use all their danavasakti for suppression of Dharma. This Vrishabhasura living in the lower part of Tirupati like others of his tribe was causing incalculable harm to sages and pious men. He was a Siva bhakta of a rare type, and his austerity too was odd and awe inspiring-he used to cut off his own dead and offering it to the Lord as sacrifice everyday. Surprisingly, a fresh head was growing in the place of severed one by the grace of god. He was immensely pleased with his worship. As it went on for some years, the Lord appearing before him asked to name his desire. Strangely enough, this strange bhakta asked for a stranger boon Yuddhabhiksha ie., the boon of fighting with the Lord himself; for, death at the hands of Lord would certainly confer emancipation. At once, the Lord changed himself into a warrior. Strangest, isn't it? Well, the war ensued and both parties pressed into service their respective armies and using potent weapons. It continued. Would asurasakti ever score lasting victory over daivasakti? Ultimately victory went to the Lord. Natural! Vrishabhasura was emancipated and this place of his birth acquitted sanctity, because of his extraordinary devotion and its uncommon end. This is one of the peaks made sacred by the Padasparsa of Lord Srinivasa. This happened in the Kaliyuga.

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