Bhakta Narasi Mehta
Manushyanam Sahasreshu Kaschidyatati Siddaye
Yatatamapi Siddanaam Kaschinanam Vetti Tatvataha Bhagavadgita (7-3)

All of us have the same privilege of being born as human beings but our life styles are different. Some think life is for pleasure and so they enjoy. Some think life is for amassing wealth and so they slog for money day in and day out. Such people are cut off from God. Some people think of God only when they are in troubles. If they come out of them successfully, they develop faith in God; otherwise they entertain their own doubts

Only a handful of people realize their life purpose and dedicate their lives totally for God. God takes care of such devotees and protects them always like a father. Bhaktas too found pleasure in their pain. They were tortured in the materialistic world by the people around, but they were unnerved. They were lost in their own sweet affinity with God. This is one such story.

Bansidhar woke up suddenly from his sound sleep. A sweet music touched his musical ears and woke him up. He stood at the threshold of his house to see the person. It was the early hours of the day. The first rays of sun were scattering the darkness spread around. In the morning sunlight he saw a tall man with a wheatish complexion holding 'tambura' in one hand and singing away in ecstasy a Keertana of God. He wore a garland in his neck. The saintly look on his face, the simplicity in his garments lured Bansidhar towards him. He wanted to prostrate before the holy man to be rid of his sins.

Oh no! A closer look at the saint drove out his first thoughts of respect since he was the one whom he drove out of the house a week ago. It was his useless brother.

'You stupid! What happened to you all these days? Why are you dressed like this? From whom did you rob this dress? Who provoked you thus? 'Showered Bansidhar a number of questions on his younger brother.
Narasi Mehta spoke in a dignified manner. 'Nobody provoked me. Lord Krishna ordained me to lead such a life. If I am standing like a saint before you, the credit goes to Him.'

'Don't be silly! This is nothing but sheer escapism. Whoever wants to shirk his responsibility turns himself into a sanyasi' spoke Bansidhar angrily.

'Oh my brother! Why should I try to shirk my responsibility? Am I new to it? Every human being has to undergo the ordeal of 'Grihastu Dharma' What's so special about it ? Even animals lead a family life. And if you think I am lazy you are mistaken. A lazy man cannot chant the name of God all the 24 hours. I want to be Lord Krishma’s devotee.'

This answer angered his brother all the more. 'You can't fool me easily! If you just want to be a devotee why dress up like a saint? Will not your change of heart suffice?’

Narasi Mehta let out a sigh! He realized that his brother would not trust him until he told him the real story. So he began, 'Oh dear! In fact the credit goes to you. This is not a hypocritical dress! Let me remind you of what happened a week ago. That day I came home from Temple. My sister-in-law had successfully poisoned your mind against me. You became a prey to her and did not listen to my prayers. You scolded me, hit me and drove me out of the house. I was left alone in the whole world. I wanted to see my family at my in-law’s house but on second thoughts I changed my opinion. I walked into the forest. There I came across a Siva Linga. I hit my head against the Siva Linga and cried bitterly. Siva must have melted. So he appeared before me and asked me to seek a boon. I was so thrilled that I could not think of any boon. So I left the choice to God himself. Lord Siva looked at me and smiled. Lo! We were in Gokulam in a split second. 'Oh Narasi! I like the rasaleela of Lord Krishna with his Gopikas. That's why I brought you here. It is a feast to the eyes’ said Sadasiva. My joy knew no bounds.

The surroundings wore such a wonderful sight that I can't explain to you in words. The Gokulam turned out to be so colorful. It is filled with the incense of flowers the melodious song of the Gandharvas in the pleasant atmosphere stole our hearts.

First I saw Lord Krishna, the heart throb of Gopikas, playing on his flute pleasantly. Then emerged Radha from Sri Krishna. From Radha emerged eight Gopikas and from them 16,000 Gopikas. They were all dancing around Krishna in ecstasy. The Rasaleela is really a feast to the eyes. Lord Siva was playing on the Mridanga; Lord Krishna was playing on the flute in tune with the Mridanga while the Gopikas danced rhythmically. I too was dancing being engrossed in the scene till I felt a tender touch on my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see eight Gopikas merge into Radha and Radha into Krishna. With tears gushing out of my eyes, I fell to the feet of Lord Krishna and prayed not to drive me away from him. Krishna lifted me up and said "Narasi! You are a blessed soul! You are born with a purpose. Your duty is to enkindle the light of Bhakti in thousands of hearts, Go back to your town! So saying he gave me these things - Tambura, Chirutalu, Tulasimala and this saffron robe. Next second, I was before the Sivalinga. I cannot dismiss the miraculous experience as a dream, since I have these things with me. So I have decided to fulfill my goal, as ordained by God.'

Bansidhar's wife Duritha Gouri laughed it away as a cock and bull story. Scornfully, she spoke to Narsi! ‘Oh what a concocted story! When did you turn out to be, a poet? What a wonderful idea for a new business.’
'Yes sister! I've begun a new business. I am unmindful of profit or loss in this business. All I know is only to do my duty.' He sang a song in Gujarathi.

Santho Hamare Vevariya Sri Ram namna
Vesari Ave che Badhagama Gama Na

'Dear people! I have come to sell the name of God to you! It is open to all castes of people. It is available at all times. It cannot be stolen. It cannot be levied taxes. I spend my time in filling the name of the Lord in balance sheet.'

His brother was irritated at his, words and imprisoned him in a room. When God himself is imprisoned in his heart will he be scared of these petty punishments? He prayed to his brother 'Oh leave me alone with my God!’

Narasi Mehta, true to his words, was a blessed soul. He was born in Junagad in Gujarat to Damodardas and Lakshmi Gouri.

When his parents expired in his childhood, his brother and his aunt took care of him. He behaved strangely in childhood itself.

Once there was a 'Radhostav' in their town. His aunt Jayakuvari Devi took him there. She met a Sadhu there and told him that Narasi doesn't speak. The Sadhu looked at him and said, 'Come on! Why are you silent? Sing Radha - Syam, Radha - Syam!' Accordingly he sang at once melodiously. As he grew up he sang it as a Keertana.

'Dwara dayaka jab tu khole
Panchana swarame ginga bole'

'Oh God! The dumb speaks, the blind sees, the lame walks unto Kasi when your door of kindness opens unto them!’

Narasi bore many problems in the hands of his cruel sister-in-law. He was married to Manika Gouri when he was 15. He gave birth to two children namely Kuvaribai and Syamaladas.
He took up the duty of a watchman as his livelihood. One day he was lost in his prayer and ignored his duty. Lord Krishna took up his duty that night. Narasi Mehta was touched by this kindness. He did not want to trouble his Lord anymore. So he gave up the job.

The cruel sister-in-law had no heart to look after his family. She harassed them in every possible way. His wife went to her mother's place with children. The sister-in-law seized the opportunity and saw to it that her husband bet his brother and drove him out of his house. The rest is known. He came back, blessed by God, only to bear further atrocities. His family came back only to be driven away cruelly.

Narasi Mehta set up his family in a small house. He was engrossed in his mission. The people, who came to listen to his songs, offered him money and fruits which helped him to get along.

Narasi performed his, daughter's marriage at an early age. She was in her in-law's house. She matured one day. Narasi's wife said that they had to perform the function. Narasi agreed and went there at once but the relatives laughed and the son-in-law frowned at his Haridas' get up. They sneered at his empty hands. His daughter's mother-in-law was so angry that she wanted to kick her out of the house. His daughter wept bitterly before her father.

Narasi was moved and challenged the crowd gathered there, 'Come on! Give me the list of things I should buy for this function. I'll provide them this very day.'

Pat came the list. Sarees, jewels, utensils, delicacies and what not! Some mischievous person was jotting down the list. Narasi humbly asked them to write down whatever they wanted. This mischief monger wanted to pull his leg. So he added a big stone.

Narasi Mehta went with the list to Panduranga temple. He held it in his hand and sang Keertanas in praise of God with tears in his eyes.

Tu tara virada samhamu jo
Je samala najo Eesa karani hamari re

Oh Krishna! You forgive our crimes and bless us. You have saved many people like Pandavas, Jayadeva’s wife Padmavathi, Gajendra etc. I request you to save me from humiliation.

Sincere prayers never go waste. Lord Panduranga himself took all the items in the list in a cart. Of course nobody could guess it was the Lord himself. He approached Narasi Mehta's daughter's father-in-law and said, 'I am the assistant of Narasi Mehta. I brought what he sent with me. Please check them.

Surprisingly every item mentioned in the list was there including the big stone. Very fondly they asked for Narasi and the Lord couldn't control his laughter at the hypocrisy of his own creation. Innocently he said, 'In Panduranga Temple'

The relatives hastened to the temple and were surprised to see Narasi Mehta in a dazed state. He was shocked to see the relatives as a group and pleaded with them to give him some time. They were perplexed and narrated the incident. They added, 'Your assistant seems to be so good. He told us your whereabouts. We are awfully sorry for our behaviour. You sent every thing, to the last detail, including the big stone we asked.’ Narasi Mehta could understand at once that it was the Leela of the Lord. Oh God! How kind of you! Did you come down personally to help me, that too as my assistant! How infinite is your love? How I wish I had your Darsan!' He turned to the relatives and fell to their feet, 'How lucky you are to be blessed with the Darsan of my Lord.' He sang a Keertana in praise of God.

People realized his greatness but not all are good in the materialistic world. One jealous man, in due course, complained against Narsi Mehta to the ruler of Junagadh! His complaints were he was befooling people that he had witnessed Krishna's Rasaleela and that God spoke to him. Accordingly Narsi was called and questioned. Narasi accepted them. The king asked him to prove them! How can one prove them! How can one prove his spiritual bliss! It is purely a personal bliss. It is an experience of the heart, not of the mind! The foolish king insisted on his order.

Oh! God's Leela is unimaginable. Suddenly there was a glow in their hearts. The temple doors broke open on their own; from the temple a garland moved on its own, in the air, towards Narsi and fell into his neck. One who believes in God's Leela can guess God could have come personally to deck his disciple with the garland. Yes very much true! Narsi alone could see Him and others could only guess the love of God! That itself made them accept him as a blessed soul.

There was a rich man called Madan Mehta in Boodhnagar. His daughter Jyothi bai reached marriageable age. He sent his priest in search of a suitable boy for his girl. The Brahmin reached Narsi’s village and contacted Sarangadhar Mehta. The latter was waiting for a chance to ruin Narsi Mehta, out of sheer jealousy. So he directed the priest to Narsi’s house. Both the priest and Narsi had no objection to the alliance. The match was fixed but Sarangadhar Mehta played a foul game. He wrote a letter against Narsi to the girl's parents. He spoke about their poverty. The angry father wrote back to Narsi to come to his house with all the pomp and show if he wished for their alliance.

The news grieved Narsi’s wife but he was rest assured of God's help. He proceeded the next morning just with his wife and son praying to God all the while. They hardly reached the outskirts then relatives began to swarm in. They were bringing with them all that he needed. Guess who they were! They were the relatives of Rukmininadh ! When God joined them, God's relatives joined him. Lord Krishna Radha, Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati and other wives; Uddava, Akrura, Kuchela, Gopikas, Prahlad, Narad and other devotees Pundarika, Parasa, Ambarisha, Suka, Sounaka rishis; kubera, Indra and other devatas; Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari and other river goddesses; Senapaths, Purohits, Devarishis, Maharishis, Siddas, Gandharvas and saints - all joined hands in the large procession.

Lord Krishna hastened himself to the girl's house and informed him of their arrival. He asked for the arrangements on their side. The girl's father bowed before Krishna and pleaded guilty. How lucky! Unknowingly he bowed before the Lord himself! The Lord assured him of his help. He sat between the two and performed the marriage on a grand gala scale. The whole procession came back to Narsi's place and then disappeared! That is the blessing of the Lord.

On a different occasion, some devotees were proceeding to Dwaraka. It was customary those days to deposit their money with a rich man in their town and to borrow that much amount from another rich man in the holy place. Some mischievous people wanted to pull the leg of Narsi. So they guided the pilgrims to Narsi. Narsi, without any second thoughts, wrote a letter to Sri Sanvalsa in Dwaraka. Poor Pilgrims roamed all over the town in search of this Sanvalsa in vain. As they were about to curse him, somebody appeared before them, introduced himself as Sanvalsa and offered the money they wanted. He disappeared the next minute and they could guess at once that he was the God himself!

The news spread like wild fire and they all became Narsi's disciples. Narsi served them with love since he could see God in them. He was serving an untouchable when his wife was breathing her last. He thought he was freed from family when his wife and son passed away. That was the height of his Vairagya.
He composed books like 'Aaiswarya Leela' 'Rukmini Kalyanam' and 'Sudama Charitra. 'His Krishna Vaishnava Janata' is full of principles for human kind.

A true Vaisnavaite sees God in everyone. He doesn't criticize any one. He has equanimity of mind. He has a motherly feeling towards other women. He chants Ramanama incessantly. His body is as holy as all the holy rivers put together.

Such saintly lives are sources of inspiration for us impure, unholy and jealous human beings lost in the mundane world.
Once God asked Narada - ‘Narada, tell me, which is the greatest thing in the whole world?’
Narada promptly answered ‘Water occupies three fourths of the world. So it is the greatest.’
God said, ‘Fine. But did not Agastya drink the entire water in a gulp. So is he great or is the water?’
‘Agastya, God!’
‘But Agastya is just one star in the Saptarshi Mandal. There are millions of such stars in the vast sky. Now tell me is one star great or the vast sky which holds these great?’
‘No doubt about it the vast sky is great!’
‘But God in the guise of Vamana covered the vast sky in just one step so, is God great or the vast sky?’
‘Of course, God is great!’
‘But the Bhakta imprisons such God in his heart. So is God great or the Bhakta?
‘Bhakta is great’ said Narada! This episode shows us how God is carried away by Ananya Bhakti.
God Himself proclaimed,
‘Mayyavesya manoyemam nityayukta upasate
Sraddaya para yopethaste me yukta tanu mataha !!
One such Bhakta whose name remains forever with Lord Venkateswara’s name is Tarigonda Vengamamba.

2. Origin of Tarigonda

There is a story behind the name of Tarigonda. Once upon a time there was famine in Andhra Pradesh. The villagers of Rayadurg left their place in search of food. On the way, they halted at a village called ‘Prattimitta’. That place appeared to be relatively better than their place. So they led a nomadic life there.
One day, a Brahmin lady called Lakshmi Narasamma was churning curds in a pot (It is called tari-konda). She was praying to Lakshmi Narasimha, the local deity of their village requesting him to have pity on those poor famine stricken souls. Suddenly her churner wasn’t moving freely. It was making a hard stund as if it was touching a hard stone. She was surprised and put her hand inside the pot. She could find nothing! She laughed to herself. She thought it was only her wild imagination, being lost in prayer. This time she concentrated on her work and continued churning. No, she was not mistaken! These must be a stone blocking her work. There was no free movement for the churner. Again she touched every nook and corner of the pot, but could not feel anything. She informed her husband of the strange experience. When he came to look at it, he found a small statue of the Lord Lakshmi Narasimha in it. He took it out and shared his joy with his people. They all prayed to God. They heard the voice, ‘Oh My devotees! I couldn’t bear to see your miseries so I appeared in this pot for your sake. You settle down here in this village and pray to me. Good days are ahead for you. You construct a temple for me.’
As God proclaimed they prayed to Him to devoutly. Their troubles came to an end. They built a temple for him and named Him Tarikunda (A pot of curds) Narasimha and gradually the village gained the name Tarigonda ( It is four mile away from Voilpadu in Cuddapah District).
Krishnaiah was the descendent of this family belonging to Vasista Gotram

3. Birth of Vengamamba

There was a devout couple called Krishaniah and Mangamamba in Tarigonda village. They were the happiest couple but for a pin prick in their life. They had no children. They couldn’t understand why they were not blessed by a child though they were staunch devotees of the Lord Venkateswara.
One day while her husband was walking to her, Mangamamba thought it was the Lord walking to her but not her husband. The same day, some children were playing on the roadside. One of them ran into Mangamamba’s house and said, ‘Ma, I am hungry!’ Being thrilled with his addressing her as Ma - she offered him a morsel of curd rice - prasadam. He snatched the bowl from her hand, gulped the whole thing in a split second and ran out before she could see what was happening. She wanted him to wash his hands and mouth but lo! The boy was out of sight. She felt that he was no other than Lord Krishna - chilipi Krishna - himself.
Poor innocent lady expressed her feelings to her husband but that only irritated him. He shouted at her. ‘Too much of anything is too bad. You are praying incessantly to God and so you are under a hallucination. You better put an end to your nonsensical prayer at once! So saying he relaxed in his easy chair outside, but his mind was disturbed. When he cooled down he reasoned to himself, ‘Did I not experience the same feeling in the morning while I was praying to God? Then what rights have I to shout at her? In fact though she has been laughed at by the society, she never cursed God for her ill fate. Why should I blame God?’ These words of self reprimand made him a normal self. As atonement for his sin, he took his wife to the local temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
Mangamamba could feel a light from the Lord’s eyes caressing her body. Her husband too felt it was a sign of Lord’s blessings and that they would be blessed with a baby very soon. Yes their understanding was perfect. Within two months Mangamamba conceived. Krishnaiah’s joy knew no bounds. He treated her as a delicate darling and wanted to fulfil all her desires. She said ‘I like the sweetness of Ramanama. I would like to hand it over to the offspring in my womb.’ Little did she realize then, the tension they would face when their offspring came out into the world with the name of God!
They longed for a boy baby but Mangamamba dreamt of Lord Venkateswara in a feminine get up. Her husband too was told by a tribal man that a girl baby would be born to him. So they were half prepared and drove out their initial disappointment very easily. In fact Mangamamba laughed to herself at her unreasonable nature. There were days when they longed for a child, but when they really had one should they not feel happy over it?
The baby was the centre of attraction in their lives. Whatever the baby did was an act of admiration to them. The laugh, the cry, a movement of the hand or leg even a yawn was a thing of beauty and a joy for ever. They named her Vengamamba - a combination of Lord Venkateswara and Alivelu Manga. The composer and the singer in Mangamamba came out unknowingly and the proud father admired his wife’s talents.

4. Childhood of Vengamamba and Education

Days rolled to months and months added to years. Three years passed by Vengamamba became a cutie pie with rolling eyes, chubby cheeks and rosy lips. One day her playmates made one of the girls Lord Venkateswara and our tiny tot as Alivelu Manga. The girls were thrilled at their creation and so was the mother who was a silent spectator to the whole drama.
Some more years passed by. Vengamamba helped father and mother in their prayers and many a time she sat like a statue staring at the statue before her. The parents had mixed feelings of joy and fear in such situations. They admired her faith in God but had their own doubts about her future.
Every evening she went to the temple. She collected flowers, made garlands out of them and offered them to God. Nobody could compete with her in her skill of making garlands. Even amidst a thick crowd of people she was lost in her own sweet world. Her friends made her sing songs on the Lord. She sang them melodiously.
It so happened that once a learned man heard her songs. He was bewildered to hear that they were composed and sung by the small girl herself. He accompanied her to her house, introduced himself to her parents and predicted a bright future for her if they polished her in these lines.
His words of praise sounded like words of warning to their already disturbed minds. Any devout parent would like his child to nurture the seeds of faith in him, but Vengamamba was pulling the strings too far. With such devoutness, would she lead a normal life, get married and beget children like any other normal child? Whatever were the words of the learned man, the parents felt it was high time they woke up and put her on the normal track.
Promptly a guru was appointed. His name was Subramanya Desika. He was a great Pandit. He became popular for his fund of patience and kindness. He saw Vengamamba and guessed at once she was a bright child. He knew teaching her would get him name and fame. He began teaching her. In no time Vengamamba picked up whatever he taught. It was customary for him to incorporate stories of Ramayana, Bharata and Bhagavatha in his teaching. Little did he realize that this methodology would only add fuel to fire! He did not know he was pouring oil over the enkindled light of Bhakti in her.
One day when Vengamamba was not in a good mood to learn, he began the story of Gajendra Moksha as a stimulant to her. She was engrossed in it in no time. He narrated the story then. Once there lived an elephant king. He went with his kith and kin to drink water to a pond. He made a big mess there. He plucked all the flowers, threw them helter-skelter, sprinkled water over the she-elephants and disturbed the water kingdom. This irritated a crocodile under water he rose up slowly and caught hold of its leg tightly! What happened to the elephant? Not until she learnt her lessons of that day. Vengamamba could not argue but learnt halfheartedly. She ran to her mother for the rest of the story but her mother was not good at it. Father was not available. She had to wait till her guru came the next day. She insisted on learning the rest of it before the lessons. This time the master had to yield to her unsatiating desire.
So he continued, ‘The elephant fought for many years with the crocodile and gradually he lost all his energy. When all his attempts failed miserably, he turned to the creator of the universe, the crocodile, of his troubles and then he. ‘Oh Lord help me! Only you can save me! Nobody else!’ Such a situation is a typical scene. As long as we have everything, we boast about ourselves, we nourish the ego in us. When we are totally immersed in the sea of troubles the ‘ego’ cannot help us. When we realize it and surrender totally to God, God will take care of us.
‘A miraculous thing happened here. The elephant’s helpless, sincere cry reached the ears of God far above to his Vaikunta. He did not inform Goddess Lakshmi, he did not wait to wear his weapons, he did not wait for his Garuda. He just came at once followed by his trail, Goddess Lakshmi and his retinue and his weapons.’
‘Does he look like our Lord Venkateswara?’
‘Yes of course! Your Lord Venkateswara is another form of the Almighty! He is touched by his devotee’s sincere prayer. So he sent his Sudarshana Chakra to kill the crocodile and saved the elephant so now my child, shall we proceed with our lessons?’ the Guru asked.
But Vengamamba could not come out of the story easily. ‘Does God answer our prayers?’
‘Yes! He answers the prayers of those who pray sincerely. He can be seen by such people.’
‘Can I also see him? Don’t I pray sincerely?’
‘Definitely, first you learn slokas and Sastras from your father. Presently you learn the lessons I teach’ the Guru said.
She learnt reluctantly the lessons but was lost in thought. Gradually she was lost to the world. She spent her time mostly in staring at God or in praying to God all the time. She would laugh to herself or cry suddenly. She spoke only of God to her friends. She was not very keen in her lessons though the Guru was desperately trying to teach her.
One day Vengamamba was in her own sweet world when the Guru came to teach her. He called her but she said ‘Oh I can see God? How wonderful He is! Look He is calling me!’ so saying she rushed to the temple. She stared long at God, took the prasad and walked back home.
The Guru asked, ‘Now tell me what happened!’ She answered ‘I saw the Lord. Lord Venkateswara. He is just as we see him in the picture. He spoke many things to me but asked me to be silent about it. The Guru realized that she wouldn’t listen that day, though she had the courtesy to attend his class. He left her alone!

5. Vengamamba’s strange behaviour.

Vengamamba was slowly becoming the talk of the town through her strange behaviour. God knows when she would go to the temple. The parents were at a loss to understand her. One day she began dancing before the temple. The mother came to know of it and dragged her home and scolded her. To the question ‘Are you not ashamed of dancing before the crowd?’ she simply answered, ‘Where is the crowd? There was no one else except my swami and myself. He made me sing and dance.’ This irritated the mother and father all the more. Vengamamba couldn’t decipher the reason for their anger. She followed the orders of father of fathers. He asked her to sing and dance. So she did!
Parents shouted at her as much as they could but were moved to tears when their only daughter cried. Generally diversion is the best medicine. So the parents tried it out on their daughter. They entrusted lot of household duties to her. She had to put Rangoli, attend to the cow, cut vegetables, clean vessels etc. But their plan was an utter flop. She found pleasure in every task. She could see God in the cow, the calf, milk, flowers, water, fire - everywhere! Her knowledge of God expanded and her love of God doubled. She did every task chanting the name of God.
One day she was putting the Rangoli but there seemed to be no end to it. It became broad day light. Father came to her angrily and gave her a big blow. His daughter’s tears or mother’s love could not stop him. There was a reason behind it. Only the previous night one of his relatives cautioned him, ‘If you don’t control her now, it will be difficult to get her married. There was a rumour already that she was mad. Her mad behaviour in the morning irritated him all the more.
He warned her, ‘From today you should not go to temple. You should not sing songs. If you don’t obey me, I’ll imprison you in a room’. He looked like Hiranya Kasipa. She hoped her father wouldn’t face a tragic death like him. She knew father loved her immensely and so had decided to obey him.
One day she heard the temple bells and ran to the temple. She cried bitterly. ‘Oh God I can’t live without seeing you or praying to you.’ The Pujari asked why she had not come for a long time. She narrated the story amidst tears. The Pujari felt she was closer to God than himself. He also knew she would one day turn out to be a yogin or a saint. All the same, he advised her to go home.
She did not go home. She was putting Rangoli in the next street. Mother made a frantic search for her and dragged her home once again.

6. Vengamamba’s Marriage trials

Krishnaiah and Mangamma let out their feelings to the Head priest, Peddacharlu. He consoled them and advised them to perform her marriage. The neighbouring women too suggested the same. That day only a woman astrologer came to their house. The mother asked when her daughter would be married.
‘Her marriage is already performed. It is not an ordinary marriage. Venkanna Babu is her husband. He will take her to Him.’ The girl was thrilled while the mother was shocked.
The parents were forced to think of performing her marriage at once, though they felt she was too young. Getting an alliance proved to be a difficult task. One lady straightaway asked, ‘Will your daughter lead a family life? We were told she was a devotee.’
The father laughed it away. They promised to come but never turned up. They sent word saying that their son’s marriage was settled elsewhere! To add insult to injury Vengamamba said, ‘Why do you see alliances for me. I was married long ago.’ Peddacharyulu consoled them, ‘Don’t worry. Your daughter is very good looking. Anybody would jump at your alliance. The only problem is the rumours about her. See that she doesn’t step out of the house for just one month. Everything will be alright.’
Theory is different from practice. They could not curtail the flow of Bhakti in her. It was simply impossible for them. Krishnaiah has been desperately searching for a boy. Time was moving on at its regular pace, making Vengamamba grow into a young lady from a young girl. Youthful appearance added beauty to her physical features. Her long hair, rosy cheeks, fair complexion were a source of jealousy to her companions while they were a source of misery for the mother. Beauty and brains don’t go together is the saying. She wondered why God who created her so beautifully did not give her the normal brains of any other girl.
One day Peddacharyulu brought an alliance. The boy belonged to Chittoor. He was an educated boy. His gotram was Srivatsasa. The boy’s father spoke warmly to them. Peddacharyulu took care of every minute detail and settled the marriage. The parents’ joy knew no bounds. They paid a deaf ear to the protests of Vengamamba. The marriage was performed on a grand gala scale. It looked like the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Vengamamba treated God as her husband and she had to convince herself that the name sake of God - Venkatachalapathi - was her husband.

7. Vengamamba’s Marital Life

The belief is marriage puts an end to mad behaviour, but this maxim did not work out in the case of Vengamamba. She was looked after well by the in-laws. She was loved much by her husband but these new attachments did not bring about even a wee-bit of change in her. In fact these attachments looked like shackles to her. She continued her prayers in her own way. The in-laws and their relatives were initially impressed by her Bhakti but as days rolled by, it became an irritable thing. They were filled with displeasure and distrust. The mother-in-law drove her back to her home with her father. The change of scene made no difference for her. She involved herself in the household duties.
The parents tried every possible means to make her love her husband. They consulted doctors, prayed to Gods, did Santhi Poojas. Finally they decided that if they perform nuptial ceremony for her, the marital bliss might pull her down to the mundane world. Even great kings or saints are no exceptions to the weakness for the opposite sex.
No sooner thought than done. They fixed the date for her first night and sent word. The husband hastened with his kith and kin with rosy dreams about his Rasa-leela with his wife. Vengamamba was sent into the room. They could deck her body but couldn’t deck her mind. She did not have the shyness or the colourful feelings of a bride. Her husband approached with tons of love, addressing her ‘Venku’ fondly, embraced her. She began shivering like a deer before a tiger. He hugged her more closely to drive her fears, but she gave him one rough push.
He asked her caressingly, ‘My dear Venku, what happened? What’s wrong? Don’t you love me?’ Poor Venku ran out of the room, crying bitterly. Venkatachalapathi remained in the room like a statue.
Vengamamba hid her face in her mother’s lap and cried silently. The parents were speechless. The son-in-law came out of the room in search of his wife. The father-in-law held his hands in his hands and pleaded, ‘Please, keep it a secret. We will convince her and send her to you.’ The son-in-law was moved by the father-in-law’s request and kept it a secret even from his parents, Mother explained to her in as many ways as possible. If a baby was born to them, it would put an end to all their problems.
Second night, she was ushered into her husband’s room once again. Venkatachalapathi was attracted towards her. He approached her from behind. He didn’t notice Vengamamba’s feelings. He put his arm on her shoulder and turned her towards him. That’s all! Vengamamba pushed him back angrily with all the force. He fell near the bed and hit against the log of the bed. He was wounded at the head.
She said, ‘Who said you are my husband. You are not my husband. I was married long ago to Lord Venkateswara. If you touch me again, your head will break into thousand pieces. Go, get lost!’ She was trembling with anger and was crying. Her husband was frightened by her mad behaviour. The news reached the mother-in-law’s ear and she began crying, cursing all the while his in-laws. Vengamamba went to the temple unmindful of the commotion at home.
The news spread like wild fire in the village. The villagers were divided in their opinions of Vengamamba. When some praised her on par with Godadevi, Meerabai or Sakhubai some looked down upon her as a mad cap. Vengamamba continued her practice of singing and dancing in the temple. People who believed in her spiritual powers gathered round her.
Venkatachalapathi was scared beyond words. The words ‘If you touch me again, your head will break into thousand pieces’ haunted him day in and day out. He became half mad with the fears of Vengamamba approaching to kill him. Some times she looked like a devil and sometimes like goddess Alivelu Manga. His parents wanted to perform second marriage for him but he was sinking day by day. He was mentally upset. One night he shouted in his dream. ‘Venku, No, I am not your husband Don’t kill me, don’t kill me.’
In the mean while in her village, Vengamamba’s friend, Seetha delivered a girl baby. Vengamamba predicted that the baby would die within three days. That night itself the baby died. Vengamamba said that she only conveyed what God conveyed to her but this incident filled the villagers with strange fears. They were worried that she might spell out any untoward incident in their lives and that might come true.
So the people avoided her sight. For that matter, nobody dared to pass through their street. This worried the father all the more and he approached Peddacharyulu for his consultation. He was also good at astrology. So he said, ‘Nothing to worry. Just wait for a month. You can leave her back in her in-law’s house. In the meanwhile do the necessary Poojas and Danas. This gave him a new ray of hope.
There, back in her in-law’s house, Venkatachalapathi’s health came back to normalcy thanks to the talisman of the Poojari. He resumed his duties in the farm. One day he declared, ‘I’ll go get my wife. Mother had her own fears. She advised, ‘Please wait. You have just recovered. If your wait your father-in-law may bring her back.’
‘Why the hell should I? Why should you object to my bringing my own wife?’ The father could understand the young heart’s longing for marital life. So he agreed at once. He had planned to go two days later. Though he was eager, he was also skeptical about his wife’s coming, but still he wanted to go. He went to bed with mixed feeling, but did not get up the next morning.
Vengamamba’s parents were shocked but Vengamamba just smiled. The villagers came to console her but she asked innocently, ‘My husband is alive, why do you console me!’ They sympathized with her all the more.

8. Dogmatic rituals for the widow - Vengamamba.

It was customary to remove the hair and Bindi of a Brahmin widow. Vengamamba did not agree. One day an old lady came to her. She informed her of the ritual to be performed but Vengamamba laughed it away. ‘I am not a widow. I am a Nitya Sumangali. I am married to the Divine Lord Venkateswara. So I don’t have to undergo this ritual.’
The villagers could not appreciate her Bhakti then. Selfishness over took their understanding of her. They felt that her unreasonable behaviour would bring curse to the village. They cursed her but she coolly said that the curses would boomerang on them. That irritated them all the more. They ill-treated her in various possible ways. They called her names, they threw stones at her, they pulled her long hair, they made fun of her, but Vengamamba was unperturbed. The wiseacres of the village put their heads together to solve this problem. They unanimously decided that they should take a barber with them and should get her hair removed by hook or crook.
Seetha came for delivery for the second time. Once bitten, twice shy is the saying. Seetha’s mother didn’t want Seetha to meet her good old friend, but Seetha couldn’t resist her temptation. She met Vengamamba secretly. Vengamamba spoke to her affectionately and said, ‘Seetha, you will be blessed by twins! You are lucky. You will beget boy babies. She offered her a banana as prasadam. She added, ‘This Pooja Mandir is my house, Lord Venkateswara is my husband. What else do I need?’ Seetha was thrilled to have such a saint as her bosom friend.
Just as Seetha left, two village heads entered. They asked rudely whether she had changed her mind. When she answered in the negative, many more surrounded her. One tied her hands together with his upper cloth, while the barber removed her hair on the head in a jiffy.
Vengamamba stared at them angrily. The village munsif’s leg became paralyzed and the barber’s hand became paralyzed. The villagers, shocked, left the place mutely. Vengamamba dipped herself in the lake beside, chanting the name of God.
What a surprise! When she got out of water, she became her previous self with long, black hair! The news spread like wild fire and the villagers who cursed, teased and made fun of her all along made her an ‘Amma’ at once. They formed a queue before her house to seek her blessings. They felt she was a reincarnation of Alivelu Manga and called her ‘Devudamma.’
The paralyzed munsif and barber had not changed for better. They developed hatred for her and successfully poisoned the brains of a few foolish people who in turn poisoned some more weaklings. The village was torn into two groups.
Vengamamba made a boy eat a banana when he had not touched food for two days. Such miraculous powers convinced some but others argued against those. The anti Vengamamba party was still knee bent on following the religious practice but who would bell the cat? As if answering their prayers Sri Sankaracharya Paramparaacharyulu visited their place. The villagers received him with all the pomp and show. They gave a written complaint to him. Swami also wanted to see her. He opined that he could bring about a change in her. The villagers too pinned their faith on him.
She was sent for. She said she would go after, she had her dinner. How dare she could answer thus! She was summoned again and the same answer was received again.
Finally she arrived with a coconut in her hand. She stood before the Swami’s throne, lost in prayer of her Swami. She was asked to greet the Swamiji but she paid deaf ear. The Swamiji himself asked why she was not willing to do so. She said, ‘Swami, first you step out of that throne, then I will fold my hands to you. The Swamiji was surprised but still obliged her. The onlookers were eagerly staring at Vengamamba with expectant looks. She folded her hands not in the direction of the Swamiji, but in the direction of the throne. And Lo! The next minute the whole ‘Simhasan’ was burnt down to ashes with a thundering noise. The frightened mob ran helter-skelter to save their skins.
The Swamiji was thankful to Vengamamba as a saviour of his life. So, instead of giving a lecture to her, he aimed his lecture at the stupidity of the villagers of Tarigonda. He said, ‘She is like the eclipsed sun. She is a great Jnani, yogi, enriched by the wealth of Bhakti and Vairagya. You don’t curse her. If you do so, you will lose all your Punya!’
The speech of the Swamiji was an eye-opener to the villagers. They praised her and her Lord. Vengamamba sang a Keertana then in praise of the Swamiji.
Sankaracharya guruni sannuthimpare
Nishkalanka paramayoga mabhyasimpare.
Vengamamba questioned the Swamiji, ‘O.K. I will oblige you and get my hair cut totally, but can you assure me that it won’t crop up again?’ The Swamiji had no answer. He in turn, advised the crowd to pray to her as a saint.
One day Seetha saw Vengamamba on her way to the temple. What a glow in her? She looked exactly like Alivelu Manga. When she called her friend, she took her to the temple with her. They both sat on the temple steps for a long time. Vengamamba sang many songs. Seetha asked her to bless her sons. Vengamamba named them Sreenivas and Venkatesh and asked her to call them Sreenu and Venku. Seetha was delighted at the blessings of Devudamma and decided to call them so whether others liked it or not.

9. Spiritual Growth of Vengamamba

Time was passing by. Vengamamba was becoming more and more spiritual. She had been writing many books. She had been composing many songs. She was spending her time in Lakshmi Nrusimha temple in her village. Her food was Prasadam, her water was ‘Kolanu’ water, her pastime was dance. Devotees who came to the temple prayed to her too!
Great people create enemies to themselves without their knowledge. She still was not free from petty jealousies of the Brahmins. They could not bear her prayers to God; they could not bear a woman opposing them. They all decided to chain her with iron chains. The villagers came to know of it and gathered there to watch the Tamasha. Some felt sorry for her and even prayed for her.
Vengamamba approached them with ‘Tulasimala’ in her hand. Some tried to warn her, but she ignored them. She saw the chains in the Brahmins hands and volunteered to be chained. The Brahmins tied her hands with the chains and jeered at her ‘Come on; pray now to your God.’ Unable to bear their atrocities some onlookers closed their eyes.
Vengamamba burst out into laughter and the iron chains broke open! What a sight! The people fell to her feet but the Brahmins ran out of sight. Human psychology is unpredictable. Some doubt masters doubted her capacity still. They said the chains must have been brittle. Whatever it was, the Brahmins still could not come out of their petty jealousies.
Vengamamba, unmindful of the bitterness of her enemies was lost in her Keertanas. She was composing songs on God, in the temple. The Brahmins decided to close the temple doors against her.
The next morning, when Vengamamba reached the temple with flowers, the doors were closed! ‘Won’t my God allow me inside?’ She thought as she put her hand on the door. Lo! The doors opened on their own letting her into her God’s presence. Vengamamba went in and started her prayer.
The priests who were watching her from a distance came to the temple to enter it. Oh no! The plan boomeranged on them. The door closed against them. Still they were not disheartened. They waited outside till she came out and tied her feet with ropes. They were cut off as thin threads. They threw stones at her but they became a shower of flowers. The shoulders which helped them to throw stones suddenly became very painful. They showered their complaints to learned pundits but in vain.
Vengamamba was lost in her prayer. Her name and fame spread far and wide and people flocked together to have her darshan. But unfortunately the priests who live in the presence of God could not see God in her. There was practically no transformation in them. They went to the extent of building a brick wall against her.
God takes care of his devotees when nobody takes care of them. There was a tunnel behind the brick wall. She came out of it through the tunnel and reached Venkatachala Aranya.
On the contrary the priests here were not happy with their evil deed. They threw stones waste material and what not, inside. Their sadistic pleasure grew to its peak one day. They wanted to burn her alive. They gathered junk there and lit fire. The tongues of flame let the tongues of people utter different opinions. Some kind hearted people could not sit with their fingers crossed when a staunch devotee had to face a miserable death. So they fought with the priests and broke open the wall. What a wonder There was no trace of her alive or dead! How could she disappear so mysteriously? The villagers were worried that this might bring ill-fate to the villagers. They cursed the priests. They wondered as to where Vengamamba could be!

10. Vengamamba at Tirumala

Vengamamba walked through the thick forest crying and praying all the white. As she reached the feet of Lord Hanuma, all her energy was sapped. She fell to his feet. Ever since then the place called Mogilipenta became her abode.
Vengamamba began her severe penance, at the feet of Hanuma. Days rolled by biting cold gave place to scorching heat. Seasons changed, years rolled by but there was no movement in Vengamamba. People gathered to see her. She composed songs on Hanuma and sang them. People joined hands with her. The devotees decided her to take her to her Lord’s presence, Tirumala.
The news of Vengamamba had already reached the ears of the priests there. So they gave her a grand gala welcome and provided her a shelter in East Mada Street, beside the stone chariot. Vengamamba treated her hut as Vaikunta and was engrossed in her prayers. Vakula Devi looked after well she was provided food from the Lord’s kitchen.
She arranged a Brindavan there. She was serving her lord with Tulasi Malas. She needed provision for water for her garden. She got a well dug but there was no trace of water. She stepped down into the well and sang a Keertana on Siva and lo! Siva Ganga flowed down!
The people around were stunned! They praised her as Bhagiradhi. She received them with equanimity. She began to compose ‘Raja Yoga Saramu’ It is a spiritual discourse between Kapila Maharshi and his mother Devahooti. Later she composed Bhagavatam in couplets. It covers the conversation between Aswathama and Draupati.
Later she composed Venkatachala Mahatyam. Her every thought, word and deed was centered round the Lord. So she explained the ‘Leelas’ of God vividly and dedicated her book to the Lord himself. Lord Venkateswara showered his blessings on her and Goddess Vakula Devi was taking good care of her.
One day, she praised Vakula Devi, ‘Oh Mother! How lucky you are! You were Yasoda in Dwapara Yuga and now born as Vakula Devi to serve Varaha Swami and subsequently the Lord Venkateswara! How lucky I am too! One who looks after my Lord looks after me and sends me food!’
‘God’s Leelas are unpredictable! Is it not strange that Tarigonda Vengamamba has come to Tirumala! Why don’t you sing His Leela?’ said Vakula Devi.
‘Which episode do you want?’
‘Any thing is wonderful. God is Omnipresent. I am eager to know the Lord’s feelings on His first meeting with Padmavathi. I would like to hear your description of it.’
Vengamamba sang that episode melodiously for some time. Tallapaka Chinnayya having heard of her faith, made her shift to a brick house from the hut. Such differences don’t make difference for a true devotee! She established a Tulasi Vanam and a well there. She continued her writing and praying.
Life is same anywhere! Holy places too are not devoid of unholy people! This time trouble cropped up to Vengamamba in the guise of one Mr.Akkaramayya. He was the senior most priests, but had the mind of junior most level of human beings. He started spreading rumours about her. He defamed her. He made others throw their food leftovers and wastage into her garden. She bore it patiently. She once tried to reason it out with him but he said she had no character. Vengamamba felt it was a waste of time talking to him. But he took undue advantage of her. He continued his rumours against her and paid a deaf ear to any good words about her.
He was waiting for an opportune moment to drive her away. One day she was singing away happily her song on Lord Venkateswara. It was sung so melodiously that one could feel the presence of God and Goddess there. She was dancing too in ecstasy. Akkaramayya, with a villainies laugh appeared before her. God sees the truth but waits. He made Vengamamba curse him.
‘You sinner! You and your family will be destroyed totally. Get out.’
A true devotee’s word doesn’t go in vain! Suddenly his family members died of cholera. One day Akkaramayya died all of a sudden. Only one member was left out. The whole town trembled at her Godly powers. They treated her as the incarnation of the Goddess! Vengamamba was in her own stoic state.
One day a young man reached her door step and pleaded for his survival. He was the lone survivor of the family. She took pity on him and amended her curse. Only one heir will be there in the family. Ever since, there was only heir in their family.

11. Vengamamba’s Harathi.

Days rolled on.
The number of devotees increased. People gathered in her house in the evenings to listen to her songs, to see her dance, to ask her question to get their children blessed and so on. Sometimes she spoke to them, some times she laughed; sometimes she cried and sometimes remained silent. Sometimes she wouldn’t open the doors. She would say God was inside. She would sing various songs to Him to wake Him up, to serve Him food or to send him to bed.
One day she heard footsteps in her Tulasi Vanam. When she followed them, they led into the temple. She took it as a message of God. God wanted her to give Harathi to Him.
The next morning accordingly she went. God was decked in precious stone jewellery, was garlanded with various flowers. Her joy knew no bounds. She stared at Him to her heart’s content. She continued giving Harathi to God everyday. She sang melodious songs while offering it. Devotees liked her songs and gathered round her.
Naturally it brought sore eye to the priests. They wondered why they should allow an ordinary woman like her to offer Harathi to God. ‘How can a widow offer it? Is it not harmful? What does she think of herself? Is this temple her private property?’ When they were engrossed in such discussions, Vengamamba walked in finished her job and left. One priest wanted to stop her but others stopped him for that day.
The next day she brought the Harathi as usual and she heard the comments, Oh God! Kindly don’t punish us for this crime of a widow! Vengamamba did not want to trouble them any more! Won’t God accept her sincere prayers? Does he require external show? When she mused thus, she gave up this act and practiced it at home. Those who were keen on her Harathi went to her house. The priests were gloating over their success over a poor widow!
That day was ‘Radhostav’ day. The priests arranged a special chariot for the God. They made Him seated on it. They took Him in a procession over the Mada streets. Thousands of people took part in it. The chariot was moving fast. It reached the North Mada Street and stopped just before Vengamamba’s house.
My God! The chariot refused to move from there! It stood transfixed to the ground like a big mountain. However hard people and the priests pulled it there was no use! They sent for horses and elephants but no way! It was beyond 2 at night. What to do? What sin did they commit? Adding two and two together, was it because they were cruel to Vengamamba? Immediately, like spring action they rushed to her, fell to her feet and apologized to her. ‘We are sorry; we couldn’t realize your faith in God or God’s concern for you. Please come and offer your Harathi to God. It is already late in the night.’
Vengamamba smiled and said, ‘I don’t mind coming, but will God come back to temple?’ The minute she offered it with sincere heart, the chariot moved on like a flowery ball. It was an eye opener for the priests. From that day onwards she was given a warm welcome into the temple.
Vengamamba was tuning herself more and more towards God. At dawn, one day, she felt somebody was waking her up. When she woke up, she could hear laughter, footsteps and the pleasant sound of anklets. She came out of her room. She was in Venkatachalam. God stood before her, smiling away at her? He said, ‘Why don’t you tell me, my greatness?’ She could feel a caressing touch over her body. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. She heard foot steps again and cried, ‘Oh God! Are you leaving?’ She ran to her front door and became unconscious there.
She woke up again at the cry of the calf. She heard the pleasant ringing of the bells from the temple. Her heart was filled with new found joy. She was delighted to be in the holy place! She composed new songs in praise of the beauty of Tirumala. She did not leave a single description. She decided to dedicate it to the holy feet of the Lord Venkateswara. The very thought made her shed tears of joy. She thought of various titles and finally named it Sri Venkatachala Mahatyam. She wanted to compose it in both Sanskrit and Telugu. She added the description of ‘Naimisaranya’ to it. At night she would sing aloud melodiously those songs and people gathered round to listen to her. Sometimes it appeared God Himself came down to listen to them. Now and then she would suddenly become silent and the audience filled the gap with their chanting of Govindanamams.
One day Vengamamba appeared to be in high spirits. One of the devotees asked out of curiosity whether she was composing new songs. Vengamamba smiled and said, I’ve invited my Lord for dinner tonight.
She prepared delicious dishes and was eagerly waiting for the arrival of her swami. She was singing Keertanas. Suddenly she heard footsteps, smelt a sweet fragrance and could feel Swami’s presence beside her. She stood up and danced ecstatically. She could feel a caressing touch over her body. The whole night through she was dancing.
The news spread round that the Lord visited Vengamamba at night after the temple doors were closed. In the morning He was there with His smile. Vengamamba was deeply immersed in her writings. She completed six volumes. When she went through her writings once again she wondered at them!
Did she compose all those? Did her hands write them? Did her mind experience them? Was it not the God’s making from behind? Oh God Did you turn me into a poetess too besides making me a devotee?
As she penned the words, ‘Krishnayamatya tanubhava Vengamamba pranitambaina... (Written by Vengamamba the daughter of Krishnayya), she came to a stand still. The whole flash back story reeled before her-her childhood, her village Tarigona, the temple in her village, her marriage, her mother, the rumours against herself so on! She felt all alone in the vast world all of a sudden but consoled herself ‘Is my Lord not there to take good care of me? She placed her Sri Venkatachala Mahatyam at the lotus feet of Lord and a feeling rose in her heart that God wanted her to write many more.
Gradually Navavidha Bhakti Tatparata was seen in Vengamamba, but still God wanted to test her.

12. Vengamamba’s Miraculous Powers

One night, God appeared before her. She was singing away happily and God danced in tune with the song. The garlands in his neck moved gently, the diamonds in his chains shone brightly and the whole place was filled with a glow. It looked as if Vaikuntam was brought down to door step of this pious lady.
Vengamamba wanted to make a plea! She felt no harm in it. Was she seeking riches, was she seeking power? All she wanted was a simple desire. Whom else could she ask? All she had was the God alone. So she asked humbly, ‘Oh Lord! You should eat the food I cook, live with me’ and accompany me wherever I go. You should not leave me for a single moment.
The Lord smiled and touched her head and back gently. He held her hand in His hand. Could she take it as a positive sign? She was about to be excited about it when God expressed his inability. ‘There are thousands of devotees who think of me, pray to me, seek me, praise me, call me and extol me! How can I limit myself to one devotee?’
Vengamamba was no ordinary person to be carried away by his answer. ‘No, I don’t agree, Are you not Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient? Are you not present in a minute atom and in the whole universe? I won’t leave you. She held His lotus feet tightly crying all the while, but God disappeared.
Vengamamba was disappointed. She wanted to compose Yakshagana that day. She was not ready to give up her desire. She wanted to request God once again. Won’t he fulfil her desire? Is he not known for his love for his devotees?
She was recollecting the story of Parijatha Vriksham, she came to the lives where Satyabhama was calling one by one - come Rukmini, come Jambavathi, come Mitravinda, come Radha - she felt herself being called. Then she recollected how she called her friends during Sankranti and how they sang Gobbilla songs. She blended Krishna Leela into it. She was so engrossed in it, that she longed for God’s arrival that night. She thought if God came, she would display her anger. She would not offer Him milk.
God came as she longed. She held his feet tightly and said, ‘Oh Lord I won’t leave you.’ It’s becoming dawn. Shall I leave? The priests would open the temple doors!’ God asked her gently. She said, ‘No you stay in the temple of my heart!’ God answered, ‘Every heart is a temple for me.’
‘No Swami! I will do all the Sevas for you from dawn to dusk.’ The priests began the Suprabhata Seva chanting, Kausalya supraja rama - purvasandhya pravarthathe…
‘I should hurry up.’
Vengamamba held His silk dhoti tightly. That part of the dhoti remained in her hand and God disappeared. She heard the chanting of the Bhaktas from the temple. She grieved over the fact that swami left her. Finally she reconciled herself to the piece of His dhoti left in her hand.
She preserved that piece as a garland in a safe place. She prayed to that as the lord Himself with flowers and Tulsi leaves. She wanted to complete her Yakshagana that day she wrote the song.
Suvvi, Suvvi Yadukulesa Suvvi.... and sang it aloud. Then the Bhaktas gathered round her to give Harathi to her Lord. She took them to that dhoti piece left in her hand. They sang a song and offered Harathi to it.
In the meanwhile, the priests who opened the doors of the temple were dumbfounded to see Swami’s silk dhoti being torn. They couldn’t understand how it happened. Did any one break open the doors and robbed Him of His precious belongings? Was anything else missing? No! Strange but true! Only the dhoti was torn, not a single thing was touched. They at once informed the temple authorities. Could it be the work of any staunch devotee of the Lord? Did they want to preserve it as a token of God? They decided to search the Bhaktas houses! They searched too but in vain.
The astrologers predicted it as a bad omen. They suggested some Santhi measures. They wanted to offer another new dhoti to the Lord on an auspicious day.
Then suddenly it dawned to some one that it might be with Vengamamba. Some others laughed it away. How could a poor lady break open the doors at night?
Why could she not? Did not the chariot come to stand still before her house? Did she not make it move was the counter argument.
Nobody dared to search her house. Finally the head priest decided to do so along with a few. They reached her house no doubt, but nobody had the guts to search her house. They were worried the Lord might get angry. She gave them a warm welcome. They prostrated before her and sheepishly expressed their problem. She coolly said, ‘It’s there in the other room. Go, take it.’ But can you believe it? It was not a torn piece of a dhoti, the silk dhoti was shining away brightly with the borders on either side. When they observed it closely, it was undoubtedly Swami’s Pithambaram.
The priests hastened to the temple. The torn Pithambaram was missing. They were flabbergasted at the attachment between Vengamamba and the Lord.
They performed Sahasra Kalasabhishekam to the Lord, dressed Him up with the Pitambaram brought from his devotee’s house and prayed to Him fondly.
That incident multiplied the number of devotees to her house. They spread the news that God slept in her house and they felt themselves lucky to step into her house.

13. Vengamamba’s Intimacy with God

Vengamamba’s Bhakti knew no bounds. She began offering delicacies to the Lord in a place called Pandava Tirdh. She chose a particular corner there, cleaned it, arranged all the items and began singing melodiously to the accompaniment of Tambura. Birds, parrots and peacocks gathered round her. Nature herself seemed to dance with the peacocks.
She had been patiently waiting for God to come and have food served by her. God wanted to test the sincerity of her prayer. One day a wild elephant trumpeted before her. Another day a lion roared, but there was no fear in her. Yet another day a wild tiger attacked her ferociously.
Vengamamba was unperturbed. She could guess that it was nothing but the leela of God. So she prayed to the tiger patiently. Oh God why test me? Why don’t you come and enjoy the feast? Suddenly there was a change in Nature. Flowers showered over the tiger. Cuckoo was singing, parrot was chirping and peacock was dancing. Why this ecstasy in Nature? It was because God appeared before them. God blessed them with his Darshan with Sankha and Chakra.
Vengamamba was excited beyond words. She served Him food personally to her hearts content, offered Him Tambula and sang many songs in praise of Him. This practice continued for long.
Curiosity kills the cat. The temple authorities and the priests were curious to know where Vengamamba was going and whom she was serving. So they followed her secretly and hid behind a tree. A tiger came to her ferociously. Some of them fainted; some ran for their lives, some thought the tiger would have killed her. When she went back home safe, they guessed it was not the real tiger but the Lord Himself. They prayed to God to forgive them and promised to offer some money as atonement for their sin.
The authorities developed faith in her. She completed her Yakshagana. She composed various songs on Him but she liked the one which invited Him to the feast.
Sri Lakshmi sthitanga chidrupa chinmaya sivanuta subhansa
Mailina bhakshyamul chala techchinanu ravayya.
Vengamamba continued her writings. She was thinking of Lord Krishna all the while she was describing every feature of the Lord. His eyes, his nose, teeth, lips cheeks and so on. She was lost in her writing.
One day she was sitting on a stone and was lost in writing ‘Sri Krishna Manjari’. A big snake crawled in her direction. People passing by shouted, ‘Snake! Snake!’ Many gathered there. Some shouted words of caution to her, but they didn’t reach her ears. Some brought big bamboo sticks to frighten it. But lo! When they came back with the sticks, the snake reached her and spread its hood over her like an umbrella. The people at once folded their hands and prayed to Vengamamba. A shower of flowers fell there as if the Devatas were blessing her.
The snake was moving its hood making a hissing sound. The crowd was scared. Surprisingly from the hissing sound arose the Mantra – ‘Hari Om.. Hari om.’ The people prayed to Nagendra and Vengamamba.
14. The Background Story of Ekantha Seva

Some more years rolled by Vengamamba became very old but her faith in God did not lessen. One day, as the Lord came to her house, she said, ‘Swami! You are so kind to me, but sooner or later I’ve to give up this physical body. Swami! Will you fulfil my desire? I wish to be remembered forever in your temple.’ God smiled and disappeared.
Did she demand too much? Is she the only devotee? Doesn’t he have many greater devotees than her? She cried over her stupidity.
That night also she took her Harathi to the temple. What a wonder! God’s reflection was seen in the Harathi. She took it as a message. Yes God had answered her prayer. She explained the same thing to the priests. She said her Harathi should be given to God every night. That should become an eternal one.
The priests naturally did not like to fulfil her desire. God appeared in their dreams and told them not to conclude the night without accepting her Harathi. They had no other go!
Vengamamba adopted her sister’s daughter Mangamma to continue the ritual after her. Ever since that day Vengamamba or her family had the privilege of the final Harathi.
The priests could not bear it silently for long. Human tendency is unpredictable. They had many a proof of her miracles but once again they wanted to put an end to, what they felt, her atrocities! Why should God accept a widow’s Harathi? Aren’t there many rich people, pundits or other devotees? What’s special about her?
So they put their heads together to scheme against her. They decided to close the temple doors before Vengamamba landed there! They put their vicious plan into action. Vengamamba came! Not a soul around! The temple doors were closed. But God’s heart was not closed against her. The doors opened on their own, giving her a right royal entry. She carried on her ritual undisturbed.
The priests came to know of this miracle and they were frightened out of their wits. They ran to Vengamamba and requested her to forgive them. They promised to pray to her on par with the God. The Devudamma forgave them. It was decided then and there that her Harathi should be the final. It is called Ekanta Seva.
The priests named it MutyalaHarathi. At Ekanta Seva pearls will be arranged in the form of one of the Dasavatharas of God in a basket and Harathi would be given. The devotees received the Mutyala Harathi. Vengamamba was pleased and God smiled!
This ritual is continued even to this day.
15. Mysterious Midnight Seva

Vengamamba was tired of her life. She wanted to give up her physical body. She wanted her Jeevathma to join Paramathma. She turned to Bhagavat Geetha. She learnt all about Bhakti Yoga, Moksha Sanyasi yoga, Karma Phala Tyaga and so on. She sang aloud Bhajans and Keertanas.
One day, when swami came down, she requested, ‘Oh God, I cannot continue for long. You liberate my soul.’ God said that there was still time. ‘You pray to me here itself for some more time.’
‘If that is the case, at least hide me from the human beings around.’
Was that a difficult task for God? He held her hand and took her to a beautiful forest twelve miles away. A cave was formed then and there with a roaring sound. There was a tunnel from there. He said, ‘You live in this cave. You come to me through this tunnel and pray to me. Nobody can see you.’
She was thrilled, ‘Can’t any body see me?’
‘Only my devotees can see you. They will be blessed by your Darsan. Whoever listens to your story or whoever praises your faith, become very close to me like you.’
Vengamamba was leading a peaceful life there, far from the madding crowd. She sang to her heart’s content. She went through her writings. She recited her Krishna Manjari again and again.
There, back in her house the next morning, the neighbours were surprised to see Vengamamba missing. The doors were wide open, but no trace of her. Some cried for her. ‘Devudamma left us to our fate’ they felt. Some said she was liberated. They did Pradakshinas to her Brindavan. Many of them missed her. They continued to come to her house even in her absence and prayed in her Brindavan. Many days passed by, but she was not to be seen. They took it for granted that her atma joined Paramathma.
On the other hand, she was praying to God every night. She entered the temple after the priests left, removed the garlands and offered the garlands brought by her. Early next morning she left.
When the Brahmins opened the temple the garlands were different. Those flowers were different. They belonged to the forest. Who brought them every night? Only Vengamamba had such a right royal entry to the temple. So could it be her work? But how was it possible? Was she not liberated? It looked like a crossword puzzle.
They had a strong feeling it could the miraculous work of Vengamamba but a strong reasoning power pointed out to them that Vengamamba was physically no more! Whose work could it be then? They wanted to get it solved through the spying of Mahantu.
Mahantu hid Himself in a secret place at night before the temple gates were closed. Could he justify his action of spying on God? But how else could he unravel the mystery? He convinced Himself of his crime thus and waited eagerly.
He waited for long! Sometime after midnight, he could suddenly feel a fragrant smell. It was followed by a glowing light. He felt his nerves and senses tickled. He stared in that direction.
A wonderful personality, God knows from where she landed, appeared before Him with Tulsi Mala in one hand and a garland of wild flowers in another hand. She embraced God! Lo it was Vengamamba undoubtedly. He thought he cried out her name, but his voice did not co-operate. There was such a glow in her face that he couldn’t even look into her eyes. She was hugging the deity. She was kissing the Lord. She was calling Him ‘Oh my beloved, oh my Lord! She removed the garlands she did various Sevas for Him applied Gandham, sprinkled Panneeru and applied Tilakam. She danced in ecstasy before Him. She sang songs from her Krishnamanjari. She fell down unconscious. Mahantu was about to let out a cry but controlled himself. Again he saw a glow of light and the next minute Vengamamba disappeared. Mahanthi closed his eyes, unable to bear the glow.
The next morning the priests opened the doors to see the Mahantu in a dazed state. He couldn’t believe his own eyes. Did he see really Vengamamba? But had she not attained Moksha? He started uttering meaningless words.
The priests were shocked. What happened to Mahantu? Was Vengamamba really alive? The crowd gathered round him in no time and showered a number of questions on him. Finally when he explained, they exclaimed what a blessed soul he was! They fell to his feet and they began to search for Vengamamba in the surroundings of Tirumala. They continued to visit her Brindavan.

16. Vengamamba’s Union with God

Vengamamba was gradually becoming older and weaker. She could not put a step forward easily. She could not see properly. She was angry with her God. She recollected the stories of Sabari and Ramadas. She remembered how Ramadas suffered. She felt the devotees could not escape such suffering.
She wondered why God was not kind to her. What sin did she do? Whatever it was, she would not go to the temple anymore. Yes that was decided once for all.
When she stopped going, God came to her Tumburu Kona. Why would he leave her thus? He received all her Sevas. Sometimes He would be tired, some times he would say his legs were aching. Poor Lord has to go round 14 Lokas. She would serve Him in various ways as Bhakta Sabari, as Yasoda, as a guru, as a lover, as a friend and what not. She would press His feet or offer Him fruits.
Back in Tirumala people couldn’t find Vengamamba however hard they tried. They began doubting the words of Mahanthi. Some were still hopeful. Some even said they saw an old lady just like Vengamamba. They did not stop visiting her place.
One night Vengamamba work up suddenly. She opened her eyes to see her swami becoming her. He was running around like Krishna and she ran behind Him like Yasoda and he disappeared. She cursed herself that she couldn’t serve Him anything.
Suddenly she heard a painful cry. She walked in that direction to see a man suffering from leprosy. She went to him and touched his head. He said, ‘Oh! I am hungry. Everybody has deserted me.’ She served him a plateful of fruits fondly.
She wanted to be away from people. But here was a human being before her! He showered a number of questions on her once his hunger was satiated.
She laid a condition, ‘You should not reveal the fact that you had seen me. You forget the matter here itself.’ He promised accordingly but still she said, ‘In case you open your mouth your head will break into thousand pieces.’
She asked him to close his eyes. The minute he opened his eyes, guess where he was! He was in Pushkarini. He had a dip in the holy water and stood up. What a surprising thing! He was cured of his leprosy. He was hale and healthy. He could guess it as the blessing of the old lady.
The other pilgrims, who were having a bath in the Pushkarini then, were shocked to witness this miracle. What a great Bhakta he should be! They gathered round him and showered him with many questions. He remembered his promise and threatens behind it. So he dared not open his mouth. The pilgrims took it for granted that he was a saint and started offering him fruits and various eatables.
Vengamamba continued her prayers to God but this ordinary human being could not assess her greatness. As days passed by, his determination to keep quite was weakened by the heaps of offerings to him. He thought it was his minimum courtesy to oblige them. He felt after all the old lady would have died.
So he blurted out the truth. ‘There lived a great devotee called Vengamamba in Tumburu Kona. She…’ He could not complete. His head broke into thousand pieces.
The devotees now knew her whereabouts. They wanted to bring her back to her Tiru Mada Veedhi. They made a frantic search for her.
Vengamamba cried to the lord that night, ‘Where else should I go, my Lord? Won’t they leave me in peace?’
God smiled to her and said, ‘You will be with me.’
‘Swami!’ Vengamamba was excited.
‘I won’t send you any where else.’
‘Swami!’ tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. God showered graceful looks on her. Her feet danced. The next minute Vengamamba’s face was seen in God’s Kaustuba Har.
A big light flashed around. The Pranavam - Om – reverberated melodiously in the vicinity. Vengamamba merged with Paramatma.
She lived many long years in continuous prayer of God and finally reached God. She is a blessed soul.
Whoever reads her story or listens to her story, will be blessed with health and wealth. Her name and fame will remain on earth for ever. She will be blessing all the devotees of Lord Venkateswara!
O Mother beloved Tarigonda Vengamamba! Bless us all!