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Is Bhadrachalam a Divya Desa (Vaishnava Holy Place) sung by the Ãzhwãrs?

Sri Swamiji:

No, it has not been sung by the Ãzhwãrs. However, Lord Rama’s Divine Presence fills this Holy Place. Rama’s Presence fills every plant, creeper, animal and bird here. Ramabhadra’s (Rama) Sannidhi is on the banks of the Godavari. Here, Lord Rama holds Shankha (Conch), Chakra (Wheel), Kothanda (Bow) and Bãna (arrow): is ‘Chaturbhuja’ (four armed) and occupies the throne with Sitadevi on His lap as Lakshmana waves the wafter to him.

Once, a Brahmin by name Kãlakãlan committed the grievous sin of coveting his Guru’s wife. Cursed by the Guru he was afflicted by leprosy. His relatives and others gave him up. He could not get even a morsel of food anywhere. Learning that even the worst sinner is offered food (‘anna dãna’) in Bhadrachalam on the day of Sri Rama Navami festival he somehow managed to reach Bhadrachalam with a desire to get some food.

On entering Bhadrachalam he had darshan of the Temple Tower but immediately fell down dead. When the ‘Yama dhootas’ (messengers of God of death) came to take him away to their ‘loka’ (world), Lord Rama saved him by sending His great Bhakta Ãnjaneyaswami (Hanuman) to get him released from the clutches of the ‘Yama dhootãs’.

Anyone who comes into this ‘Kshetra’ (Holy Place) accidentally and bathes in the holy Godavari is blessed with Rama Nãma ‘ruchi’ (taste for the Name of Rama), by the grace of Sri Ramabhadra. Everyone must be aware of the Mahatma Bhadrachala Ramadas who built the temple for Rama in Bhadrachalam and who has sung innumerable Divya Nãma Kirtans.

Many Bhaktas have been devoted to Krishna in ‘Mãdhurya Bhãva’ (the attitude to look upon Krishna as the Lover). And they have sung innumerable kirtans. My mind does not feel attracted to these kirtans. Do I not deserve to do bhakti? Will I not develop bhakti? Is this wrong?

Sri Swamiji:

Only a very few are entitled (‘adhikãriis’) to practise this type of ‘rasa roopa’ Bhakti in this world. And they have not developed this ‘Bhãva’ on their own but had it in them naturally. To do bhakti in ‘Shanta Bhãva’ or ‘Dãsya Bhãva’ is that which can be taken up most others.

In this world you may find a very virtuous person. But he may not have any interest in arts. Similarly, there may be those who are great artists but are not virtuous. One may possess deep desire to attain God but may not possess ‘rasa roopa hrudaya’. Therefore, such a person can take up only Shanta, Dãsya Bhãva in worship. But one needs to possess ‘rasa roopa hrudaya’ to do bhakti in ‘Madhurya Bhãva’. Only a very few are blessed with this. You can, therefore, choose a suitable path and do bhakti. But you should never speak ill of the other paths.

It is found that institutions established by Mahãtmas do not function as well after their lifetime as they did while they were alive. Why is it so?

Sri Swamiji:

A divine institution cannot be established by individual effort. The birth of such establishments is only through the Will of Bhagavãn. Even if such institutions turn slightly worldly after the lifetime of the Mahatmas, a ‘Siddha Purusha’ will appear there after a time and lead them in the right path. Do not Kãmakoti Mutt, Sringeri Mutt that were established by Adi Sankara exist till date? It is a fact that in these Mutts, Mahãns who are Bhagavat Pãda’s (Adi Sankara) ‘amsa’ have been appearing now and then.

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