PENUGONDA - COURT HALL ANNAMACHARYA  

One day it so happened that Annamacharya gave a sublime tune to one of his compositions on Balaji and submerged the assembly in the ocean of bhakti. It was a royal banquet to the ears; and everyone turned oblivious of time. Soon alter completion, the king rose up from his scat and hailed the Sankirthanacharya in loud tone and exclaimed praising him in words such as - "Superb! Marvellous! Hour mellifluous!!!." The audience joined him with equal fervour. But the Acharya attributing it to Balaji's divyanugrah remained as calm as sea after storm. Then came a bolt from the blue. The king being presumptuous by nature lost his mental poise and asked the Acharuya to sing in praise of him in the selfsame style - similar tune and tone.

It was unbearable for the Sankirthanacharya, who dedicated himself mentally, soulfully to Balaji. Closing his ears and eyes at once, he regretted his mistake of singing before him and remained mute. The king grew red in face and reiterated his bidding to sing in praise of him at once. "Having dedicated my tongue to Tirumala Srinivasa, I cannot use it for anyone. I always sing Gods praises, but not of humans however exalted they are". So saving he left the hall abruptly. The court was awe-struck and the officials feared severe consequences to Acharya for incurring king's wrath.

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