In the sacred annals of the Bhavishyottara Purana lies a tale that resonates with the profound spiritual essence of Tirumala hill, where the journey of a Brahmana named Madhava unveils the transformative power of devotion and repentance.
In the dawn of Kaliyuga, amidst the serene lands of
Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh, dwelled Madhava, a learned Brahmana steeped in the
wisdom of the Vedas and Shastras. Bound in matrimony to the graceful
Chandralekha, Madhava's life seemed adorned with blessings. Yet, fate took a
somber turn as the shadows of bad karma clouded his path. Driven by ill
impulses, he forsakes his wedded wife for the company of a wretched woman,
veering away from the righteous path.
However, the fickle nature of destiny soon brought about a
reckoning. With the passing of his second wife, Madhava found himself adrift,
consumed by despair and remorse, wandering aimlessly like a lost soul. Yet, it
was amidst this desolation that the divine providence led him to the sacred
precincts of Tirumala hill.
As Madhava beheld the majestic expanse of the holy hill, a
stirring of recognition and repentance coursed through his being. The mere
sight of this sanctified terrain seemed to cleanse the stains of his past
misdeeds, igniting a fervent yearning for redemption within his heart. With
trembling hands, he touched the sacred soil of the hill, feeling the weight of
his burdens lifting with each step.
In a moment of divine grace, Lord Brahma Deva materialized
before Madhava, guiding him with celestial counsel. Encouraged by the divine
presence, Madhava embarked on a sacred pilgrimage, ascending the rugged slopes
of Tirumala with unwavering faith. With each arduous step, he shed the shackles
of his past transgressions, his spirit soaring in the purifying aura of
devotion.
Upon reaching the summit, Madhava prostrated before the
effulgent form of Varaha Swamy, the divine guardian of the hill. With a heart
overflowing with gratitude and surrender, he relinquished his mortal coil in
the sanctified embrace of Yogic transcendence, merging his soul with the cosmic
ether.
In the eternal tapestry of existence, Madhava's journey did
not culminate with his mortal demise. In a divine orchestration of karma, he
was reborn as Akasha Maharaja, the venerable patriarch destined to be the
father of Goddess Padmavati and the revered father-in-law of Lord Venkateswara
himself.
Thus, the saga of Madhava epitomizes the profound
significance of ascending Tirumala hill with fervent devotion and contrition,
illustrating the transformative power of spiritual pilgrimage. Through the
crucible of repentance and surrender, one can transcend the bonds of karma and
attain liberation, basking in the eternal radiance of divine grace.