Invocation Prayer to Lord Venkateswara
O Paramapurusha! O Matchless One!
I surrender unto you! O true abode of Lakshmi!
O one with a lotus navel! O lotus eyed!
O Lord with lotus like feet!
O Lord of all demigods and sages!
O Lord of the herds! O Granter of boons!
O four formed one! O one with four arms!
O one who wields the conch and discus!
O supreme Lord of Venkata hill!
O enjoyer of the praises of Anjana!
I surrender unto you!
This poem is a beautiful invocation to Lord Venkateswara, a
form of the Hindu god Vishnu, by the poet Tallapaka Annamacharya. Each line is
filled with devotion and reverence, addressing various aspects and attributes
of the deity.
"O Paramapurusha! O Matchless One!": Here, the
poet addresses the Lord as the Supreme Person, unparalleled in His greatness.
"I surrender unto you!": This line expresses the
poet's complete surrender and devotion to the Lord.
"O true abode of Lakshmi!": Lord Venkateswara is
often associated with the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, who resides
with Him in the temple at Tirumala, also known as the Tirupati temple.
"O one with a lotus navel! O lotus eyed!": This
imagery describes the physical attributes of the Lord, with His navel likened
to a lotus flower and His eyes compared to lotus petals, symbolizing beauty and
purity.
"O Lord with lotus-like feet!": The lotus is a
symbol of purity and divine beauty. By describing the Lord's feet as
lotus-like, the poet emphasizes His divine nature and grace.
"O Lord of all demigods and sages!": This line
acknowledges the Lord's supreme authority over all celestial beings and
enlightened souls.
"O Lord of the herds! O Granter of boons!": Lord
Venkateswara is often depicted as the protector of cows and cattle, symbolizing
his role as a caretaker of all beings. He is also known as the giver of
blessings and boons to his devotees.
"O four-formed one! O one with four arms!": This
refers to the traditional depiction of Vishnu with four arms, each holding
different symbols of his power and authority.
"O one who wields the conch and discus!": The
conch (shankha) and discus (chakra) are two of the primary weapons wielded by
Vishnu, symbolizing his protection and destruction of evil forces.
"O supreme Lord of Venkata hill!": This line
specifically refers to Lord Venkateswara's abode on the Venkata hill, where the
Tirumala temple is situated.
"O enjoyer of the praises of Anjana!": Anjana is
believed to be the mother of Lord Hanuman, a devoted devotee of Lord Rama. This
line suggests that Lord Venkateswara delights in the praises offered by His
devotees, including even the mother of another divine figure.
"I surrender unto you!": The poem concludes with a
reaffirmation of the poet's surrender and devotion to the Lord.
Overall, this poem is a heartfelt expression of devotion and surrender to Lord Venkateswara, invoking His various attributes and forms as a means of connecting with His divine presence.