Sri Varaha purana (Hindu scripture) describes the incarnation and significance of the Indian Deity Sri Venkateshwara Swami, also known as Balaji. Lord Vishnu, the second God of the Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwar), is said to have reincarnated as Venkateshwara Balaji at the request of the sage Narada. Bhoodevi and Shridevi are the two consorts of Balaji. Bhoodevi represents Mother Earth and Shridevi is the Goddess of beauty. The different attributes of the majestic and superbly executed idol of Lord Balaji symbolize the nature and manifestations of the Lord of the World. The ornamentation, features and expressions of the Idol carry immense significance and are regarded as objects fit for meditation.
The Lord's image has four arms, signifying the four stages that may be found in every form of development of life. It also represents dominion over four directions of space and thus the omnipotence of the Lord. The upper right arm holds Sudarsana Chakra (discus) and right arm holds Pancha-Janya (Conch). The lower right hand is in Varada hasta (boon giving) pose and lower left hand is in Katyavalambita pose, turned inwards.
The conch symbolizes the origin of existence and is associated with the element of water. When blown, it produces the primeval sound of AUM from which the creation evolved. The name of the conch Pancha-janya (born-of-five) also suggests the five basic elements of the universe ('pancha bhuta'). The discus or 'Sudarshan Chakra' symbolizes the Universal mind and its limitless powers of creation and destruction. The brilliant gem called 'kausthubha' ('born from the waters that surround the earth') that adorns the chest of Balaji represents consciousness, which manifests itself in all glittery things: the Sun, the Moon, Fire and Speech. The Golden veil ('Pitambara') worn by the Lord represents the Vedas (the Hindu Scriptures). The two earrings represent the two methods of knowledge, intellectual knowledge (sankhya) and intuitive perception (yoga). The armlets are said to be the three aims of worldly life 'righteousness, success and pleasure'. The crown represents the unknowable reality. The scared thread across the chest of the Lord is made of three threads said to be the three syllables of the scared sound 'Aum' (A for 'aadimatva' or creation, U for 'uthkarsha' or sustenance and M for 'miti' or limit).
Lord Venkateshwara is the presiding Deity of a number of temples across the world. However, the most famous happens to be the lavish Temple erected at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India.The idol of the deity, the full figure of Lord Venkateswara or 'Venkataramana' or 'Srinivasa' or 'Balaji' (as is called in various parts of the country) has the attributes of both Vishnu and Shiva, preserving and destroying aspects of the Hindu Trinity.
Balaji, the Lord of Tirupathi has always been one of my favorites, though visiting Him, has been far off thought, considering the distance, crowd, as all the accompanying fuss associated with a VIP God.Though, previously, I hade been asked to do the painting of Balaji, in his usual form, i.e. like he is in the Temple Sanctum Sanctorium, this time it was different.She wanted Him done, as a live Vishnu, but the form should be that of Venkateswara.So, it should be that he should have the post of the idol, with the left hand on his hip, and the other right hand in 'inverted abhaya' pose.I could spot the exact pose in one of my favorite blog entries.Again the request for 'less gold'....are people getting tired with the brightness of gold in tanjore paintings?Anyway, I did it, and that too for the richest God in the world!!
There are very few occasions when I actually sit and watch TV.On one such afternoon, there was a film already going on, and it happened to be 'Thirumalai Deivam' in Tamil.Now, Though normally I avoid old movies, I decided to watch it since,1. I had been painting this picture, 2.I like historical movies as well as religious ones.I am always amazed at the attention given to the minute details, and settings etc., as also for the storyline.As I was watching, there came an episode, about a couple on a wow to serve the Lord of Tirupati.The actual story goes like this.
The temple and the surroundings were in bad shape and worship was not organized regularly. Ramanuja the great vaishnavite sage was inspired by the Holy Hymns of the Alwars singing the glory of the Lord of the Seven Hills. He called an assembly of the Acharyas, 74 in number and posed them the question whether any one of them will take up the task of serving the Lord on the Hills on a day to day basis. Everyone was hesitating, fearing the hard life up the Hills what with tigers, malaria and the forests. There was Anantharya, a strong and silent devotee in the gathering. He rose to his feet and prayed, " Beloved Acharya ! Bestow the blessing of serving the Lord of the Seven Hills on this humble self. With your grace, I will be happy to undertake this service." Ramanuja was mightily pleased and embracing Anantharya, declared before the congregation, " Anantharya, You are truly the man (Aanpillai)." Anatharya chose to settle down on the Hills in fulfillment of the command of the Guru and went on to lay the garden of flowers, dug up the lake and named it after Ramanuja. Anantharya was so much obsessed with zealous personal service to the Lord that on one occasion, he hit with a crowbar a young man who was trying to help his wife in laying the garden. Anantharya was chasing him when the young man disappeared into the temple. The priests found blood oozing from the chin of the Lord as Anantharya entered the sanctum sanctorum. He applied camphor on the chin and prayed for forgiveness. The crowbar can even today be seen at the entrance to the temple as a memento to the dedicated devotion of Anantharya. The camphor is distributed as prasad (sri padarenu).The white spot of the Lord's chin of the idol is camphor which is placed there even today. I was in a dilemma, as to whether to show that in my painting or not, since mine is going to be depicting a live form.But finally I decided to go ahead and incorporate it.
According to legends the lord also has his eyes covered by a large tilak like "V" made of camphor,For it is said that Lord Venkateswara's lotus-like eyes are so beautiful that if they were uncovered, then pilgrims would not want to leave. It is also said that his eyes are covered because His gaze would scorch the entire world. "But I felt that in my painting, his eyes should be full of Grace and kindness, as he is the protector of the universe.
References and sources
http://www.craftsinindia.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.south-india-tourism.com/
http://ssubbanna.sulekha.com/
