Bhajan: Venkataramana Sankata harana Kinkara pala Govinda

Different puranas have named the Saptagiris differently.

Four yugas have four names. Krite vrushadrim vakshyanti tretayam anjanachalam dwapare sesha shailamtu kalosri venkatachalam namani yuga bhedena shailasyasya bhavantih

From this hymn it is clear that the mountain that Srinivasa lived on was known as Vrushadrim in Krita Yuga, Anjanadri in Treta Yugam, Seshadri in Dwapara yuga and Venkatadri in Kaliyuga.

This mountain is called Chintamani - Because it fulfills the desires of people.

It is Jnanadri - Because, just like Sadguru, this mountain blesses devotees with true knowledge.

It is Teerthadri - Due to its numerous lakes and holy waters,

It is Pushkaradri – Due to a number of pushkara teerthas,

It is Vrushadri- because it is an embodiment of dharma

Vaikunthadri - Since Vaikuntha is its origin,

It is Simhadri or Simhacalam- Since Lord Narasimha incarnated here in order to slay Hiranyakashipu,

Neeladri – Neela resides here

Anjanadri- As Hanuman was born here, it is called called Anjanadri

Venkatadri - Due to the presence of nectar and prosperity, it is known as Venkatadri.

Anandadri - Since it blesses devotees with boundless happiness when with one glance.

Srisailam- Lakshmi and Sri Hari are present here it is called Srisailam

On this hill, Vishnu wanders happily with Lakshmi.

Anandadri- As desired by Varahaswamy, this mountain was brought from Vaikuntha by Lord Garuda.This mountain bestows bliss. If the spiritual aspirant meticulously continues his sadhana, this mountain will bless him/her with bliss.

Garudadri- As it was consecrated by Garuda

Kreedadri - Since the Lord enjoys living on this mountain and strolls around.

This mountain is an embodiment of Vedas; Vedas reside on this mountain; the wings of Garuda are themselves the Vedas.

The mind of the aspirant should be filled with the Lord. Happily he should climb the steps which lead to Him. IN every rock he should see the Lord. His mind should be filled only with thoughts of the Lord. Then, like Garuda he will get the strength to carry the Lord. Then, even if the body becomes heavy and the person feels helpless in climbing the mountain, the Lord himself will ensure we reach the top.

Vrushabhadri: In Treta yuga, a demon called Vrushabhasura worshipped the Lord with great fervor. Vrushabhasura would offer his head as a flower during puja and the head would automatically get attached to his body towards the end of the puja. Such was his devotion!

One day, the Lord appeared and told him to make a wish but due to his demonic tendencies, he wished to fight with the Lord Himself. During the war, Vrishabhasura strength got attenuated and surrendered to the Lord with folded hands once he sensed this he realized that he will be vanquished. He wished for the place to be known after him as Vrishabhadri.

Anjanadri: In treta yuga, the story of a couple kesari and anjana, who were very desirous of bearing offspring changed the name of these hills to Anjanadri. They were unable to have children. Then, Dharma devata, in the form of a soothsayer advises Anjana Devi to perform penance on Vrishabhadri in order to beget a son. Since then, this mountain came to be known as Anjanadri. Devotees continued to pour in and receive blessings. According to another Purana, Anjana performed penance on the banks of Akasha-ganga. She then begot Hanuman as her son. For this reason this hill is called Anjanadri.

Venkatachalam: In Kaliyuga, a youth of very good character named Madhava got married to Chandralekha. However, he went astray and even left his family and wife. He fell for a tribal woman Kuntala began living with her. To take care of her, he committed many sins including murders. Time passed and Kuntala died. Madhava’s past sins made him terribly sick. People started hating him. They would not even give him a few morsels. He struggled even for a sip of water. Then, once when he was in such pitiable condition, Madhava came across a group of pilgrims. Hoping to get some food, he followed them hoping to get some food. Along with them, he started saying Govinda.

Govinda, Govinda, Govinda, Govinda, Govinda..

He climbed the mountain, Anjanadri. Every step he took he chanted the divine name Govinda. This helped completely wash his sins away. As his sins were destroyed, a new glow could be seen on his face. People were perplexed seeing the new glow on his face. When he reached the top, his sins were totally cleansed. The Gods showered flowers on Madhava who had been blessed by Lord Srinivasa. Such is the power of the Lord. Merely by chanting Govinda continuously, his sins were cleansed. Since sins got washed away this way, the place came to be known as Venkatachalam and Srinivasa as Venkateshwara.

There is another meaning to the word Venkata. “Vem” implies sins, “Kata” means destruction. Since this mountain dispels the sins of the devotees it is called Venkatachala. AS the Lord of this mountain, the Lord is called Venkateshwara.

There is another significance contained in the name Venkata:

‘Vem’ is the seed-letter for nectar (amrita beeja). ‘Kata’ means prosperity. As these two, amrita and prosperity co-exist on this mountain the place is called Venkatachalam. When the spiritual aspirant experientially realizes that everything is pervaded by the Lord, nectar and prosperity automatically are under his sway. The vision of the Lord is had when the person incessantly chants the name Venkateshwara!

Narayanadri: A sage by the name of Narayana performed penance to please Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma instructs him to worship Lord Srinivasa who is residing on this hill. After performing penance, sage Narayana was blessed with the Srimannarayana’s presence. Granting him salvation, the Lord renamed the mountain as Narayanadri as it is the name of both the Lord and the sage If we climb this mountain constantly chanting the name of Lord and seeing him in every stone we will be blessed with the strength to carry the Lord, just like Garuda.

When life becomes very difficult to lead, the Lord’s blessings give us strength to weather through such suffering. The final destination is Anandam (bliss). We do not have to travel far and wide for this ananda. We don’t have to go to Vaikuntha. The Lord has sent this piece of heaven for us. Shouldn’t we derive that happiness from this mountain itself? If devotees keen on darshan are diligent in their sadhana, this mountain blesses them with darshan, there is no need to even go to the mountain!

Bhajan: Govinda Sananda