Page 43 - History of Tirupathi Balaji and comparison of Sri Vaishnava

disciples also worshipped Balaji. In the book names Sri Caitanya Bhagavat, it
is described how Lord Nityananda, who is an incarnation of Lord Balarama,
Krishna’s brother) came to Tirumala to worship Balaji with love and devotion.
Lord Caitanya, the incarnation of Krishna who appeared fi ve hundred years
ago, also walked up the Tirumala mountain to have darshan of Lord Balaji.
Feeling ecstatic love, he offered prayers and danced with His arms raised. He
inspired everyone to chant the holy names of the Lord: Hare Krishna, Hare
Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama,
Hare Hare.
Who is Tirupati Balaji
Tirupati Balaji is originally Lord Vishnu (Ksirodakasayi Vishnu) who
resides on the island of Svetadvipa, which is a Vaikuntha planet (an eternal
planet) within this material universe. We have explained above how Lord
Vishnu descended to this world in Kali-yuga and took His residence on the
Tirumala Tirupati mountain and is revered as Sri Balaji. He is also known as Sri
Venkateshwara, Srinivasa and Govinda. There is a detailed description of Lord
Vishnu in Svetadvipa in the book Caitanya Caritamrta written by Krishna das
th
Kaviraja, the 16 century biographer of Lord Caitanya.
Lord Caitanya is the combined incarnation of Radha and Krishna. He
th
appeared at the end of the 15 century to establish the most auspicious
spiritual practice for this age of quarrel and hypocrisy (Kali yuga), which is the
congregational chanting of the names of God (Hari Nama Samkirtan). Lord
Caitanya particularly suggested chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra as this is
the recommendation of the Kali Santarana Upanisad, The sixteen names of the
Hare Krishna mantra – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare
Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare – destroy all the inauspiciousness of the age of
Kali. This is the conclusion of all the Vedas. Lord Brahma has said, kali-sautaranadi
srutite, “The srutis (direct evidence of the Vedas) have declared this mantra to
be the best means of deliverance in the age of Kali.” (Ananta Samhita) Having
heard this from Brahma, his sons and disciples, beginning with Narada muni,
all accepted the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra (great chant for liberation) and,
having meditated on it, attained perfection.
Lord Caitanya revealed the transcendental potencies of the holy names of
Krishna. He prayed, Oh my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to the
living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names like Krishna and Govinda.
In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies and there
are no hard and fast rules for chanting Your name. O my Lord, out of kindness, You enable
us to easily approach You by chanting Your holy names, But I am so unfortunate that I
have no attraction for them. (Siksastaka 2) All the bona fi de names of God have
transcendental potency. But the names Hare, Krishna and Rama are especially
sweet when put together in the Hare Krishna Mantra because the meaning is
important, “My dear Lord Krishna, my dear Lord Rama, O energy of the Lord,
Hare (which refers to Radha), kindly engage me in Your devotional service.”
This most powerful mantra (a chant that delivers the mind from ignorance)
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