Page 111 - Shri Venkateswara Book

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 disciples also
worshipped Balaji. In the book name Sri Caitanya
Bhagavat, it is described how Lord Nityananda, who

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