Devotee prince Tondaman getting darshan of Lord Srinivasa at Venkatachala

(Skanda Purana - Venkatachala Mahatmya - 9)

Sr Venkateswara

• Tondaman goes for hunting near Venkatadri: One day Tondaman went for hunting near Venkatadri after taking permission from his father. His trail took him to Lord Srinivasa in the following way:

(a) Herd of elephants: Tondaman saw a herd of elephants with the leader elephant in rut. He pursued that elephant and crossed river Suvarnamukhari.

(b) Hermitage of sage Suka: He came to the hermitage of sage Suka and bowed to the sage. After taking permission from the sage he went from forest to forest.

(c) Anthill of goddess Renuka: The king then came to the anthill where goddess Renuka abided. Tondaman bowed to the goddess and went towards west.

(d) Parrot of five colours: In the forest the king saw a parrot of five colours. The parrot was chanting the name of Srinivasa. The king pursued the parrot. The parrot flew towards the mountain. The king climbed the mountain and kept pursuing the parrot. He saw many caves, crevasses and peaks all around.

(e) Syamaka field of Nishada: The king then came to a Syamaka field belonging to a Nishada (forest tribe). The Nishada honoured the king. The king enquired about the parrot. The forester told that the parrot belonged to Lord Srinivasa and is brought up by Sridevi and Bhudevi.

• Tondaman had the darshan of Lord Srinivasa: It was time for the Nishada to offer Naivedya (food offering) to the Lord with Syamaka rice mixed with honey. The Nishada prepared the Naivedya in a mango leaf and started for the residence of the Lord. The king joined him. Both of them reached Swami Pushkarini. They had their holy bath there.

The Lord was abiding at the root of a Srivriksha on the bank of Swami Pushkarini. His colour was like Atasi flower. His eyes were like Lotus petals. He had four arms and adorned with crown and various ornaments. He was holding Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Khadga, Saranga bow and arrows. He was wearing yellow garments and had divine garlands over his neck. He was accompanied by Sridevi and Bhudevi. His lotus feet were hidden under an anthill upto the knees.

Seeing the Lord the king went into ecstasy with his palms joined in reverence. The Nishada offered the Naivedya to the Lord and gave half to the king as prasada. Then, drinking water from Swami Pushkarini they returned to the Syamaka field. The king spent that night there. In the early morning he left.

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