Page 109 - Shri Venkateswara Book

He came to the foot of the Tirumala Mountain and
performed his sacred chants and gave lectures on
spiritual topics. One of his disciples, Anantacharya,
was living on the Tirumala Tirupati Mountain taking
care of a garden where he grew flowers 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.”

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Venkateshwara Book.indd 108
Venkateshwara Book.indd 108 28/04/2024 05:13:57