Devotee Rangadasa building the first temple shrine at Venkatachala

(Skanda Purana - Venkatachala Mahatmya - 9)

Sr Venkateswara

• Rangadasa building the first temple shrine at Venkatachala: After the darshan of Lord Srinivasa, Rangadasa wished to serve the Lord. He decided to build a flower garden for the Lord and start the worship with food offering. He made the Vaikhanasa (who accompanied him) prepare the Naivedya and offer it to the Lord everyday. He cleared the forest around and built a wall of stones around the Lord's place. Lord Srinivasa told him not to cut two trees - a Chincha (Tamarind) tree where He resided and a Champaka tree where Devi Lakshmi resided. Around the stone walls Rangadasa built flower gardens. He planted Mallika, Karavira, Padma, Jasmine varieties like Mandara and Malati, Tulasi and Champaka. He dug wells to water the garden.

• Worship of Lord Srinivasa by devotee Rangadasa: After building the stone wall and flower garden Rangadasa started worshipping the Lord. Everyday he used to pluck flowers himself, make garlands with them and offer it to the Lord through the priest. The priest garlanded Lord Srinivasa, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi with the garlands prepared by Rangadasa. Thus Rangadasa continued his worship and in this way seventy years passed.

• Rangadasa getting distracted by Gandharvas; Feeling ashamed: One day a gandharva came to bathe in the lake along with several maidens. Rangadasa was distracted by their amorous sports. After the gandharva left, Rangadasa discarded the garlands, took bath in the lake and again plucked flowers from the garden. But he was late for the worship and the garlands were not ready. The Vaikhanasa asked him the reason. Rangadasa felt ashamed and remained silent

• Lord Srinivasa comforting Rangadasa and giving him boon: Rangadasa was ashamed for his mental distraction (and consequent lapse in the service of the Lord). Lord Srinivasa comforted Rangadasa saying that he has no reason to feel ashamed because it was the Lord Who has deluded him. In fact he has conquered lust. Also Lord Srinivasa gave him the boon that he will be born as a king in the next birth. He will enjoy worldly pleasures and also build Prakara and Vimana (Temple structures) for the Lord. Finally he would attain salvation. Till then he should continue his service till he casts off his mortal body. This is the way of salvation for the Lord's devotees who have desires. Rangadasa was delighted to hear this and served the Lord with his flower garden for more than hundred years.

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