Page 42 - History of Tirupathi Balaji and comparison of Sri Vaishnava

grew fl owers for the daily worship of Balaji. He became aware that his guru
Ramanuja was at the bottom of the mountain. He descended the mountain
to invite his dear guru to climb up with him to see Lord Balaji. Ramanuja
refused, “How can I put my feet on the holy mountain. It is non-different than
Anantasesha, the divine snake on which my Lord Vishnu reclines. It is the
spiritual world manifest in this material universe. I cannot step on it. It is an
offence.”
Anantacharya replied, “My dear guru Ramanuja, if you do not step foot on
the Tirumala mountain, then nobody will. Even the pujaris (priests) will come
to know that the most saintly of all living beings, your holiness, are not willing
to put your feet on the sacred mountain. Then what will happen to the worship
of Lord Balaji? The priests will descend and no pilgrims will dare to go up the
mountain for fear of committing a grave offence. You please change your mind
and come with me.”
Due to the persuasion of the devotees, Ramanuja climbed the mountain.
As he walking up, one of his spiritual masters, Sri Shailapurna, came with
garlands and Prasad (holy food offered to and sanctifi ed by Lord Balaji), to
greet Ramanuja who addressed his guru. “Why did you carry these things? You
could have sent a junior devotee. You are very old and it is diffi cult for you.”
Sri Shailapurna replied, “Yes, I could have sent a junior devotee. But I
looked in all directions, and I could not fi nd a single soul junior to myself. I am
the most junior disciple so I had to do the chore myself.”

Hearing the humility of his guru, Ramanuja’s soul melted. He stayed on top
of the mountain for three days while having the ecstatic darshan (viewing) of
Sri Balaji.
Controversy between worshippers of Lord Balaji and Lord Siva
The Vaisnavas consider Lord Balaji to be Lord Vishnu. But the Saivites
consider Balaji to be Lord Siva. There was a dispute among the Saivites and
Vaisnavas. Should the conch and disc of Vishnu be placed in the hands of Balaji,
or the drum and trident of Siva? Both sides were adamant. Ramanuja proposed
a solution. He said, The followers of Siva can place a drum and trident before Balaji and
the Vaisnavas can place the conch and disc. We will all leave the deity room and lock the
doors so no one has any possibility of entering the sanctum. The next morning, we will open
the doors and see which articles the Lord chooses to hold. The following morning the
doors were opened and Lord Balaji was holding the conch and disc offered by
the Vaisnavas.
When Ramanuja decided to leave Tirumala and return to Sri Rangam, Sri
Shailapurna offered to teach him Valmiki muni’s Ramayana (the epic history of
Lord Rama) for one entire year if he remained on the holy mountain. Ramanuja
stayed for an entire year hearing and discussing the Ramayan with his guru.
Other great acharyas visited the Balaji temple and resided for some period
of time. Sripad Madavacharya worshipped Sri Balaji with great love and
devotion along with his disciples. Sripad Vallabhacharya accompanied by his
42