Bala Tripurasundari
ShastriX
Many instances of Bala Tripurasundari popping up of late,
that i felt that i have to blog this
Started reading a few pages of The Compassionate Mother, the oldest biography of the Holy Mother, every morning.
Last morning, read about some more aspects of the Shodashi Puja. The Master visualizes the Holy Mother as Bala Tripurasundari for doing the puja.
Over two weeks in January, have had the pleasure of reading If Truth Be Told, by Om Swami, born Amit Sharma.
He goes to Australia at the age of 18, finds his inner geek, starts a business by the age of 20, makes his millions by 30, retires, and goes in search of Self-realization. He endures lots of hardships with the Guru who initiates him, goes further afield to the Himalayas, and realizes Jagajanani, the Mother Divine.
He visualizes Jagajanani as Bala Tripurasundari. When he finally sees Her, he loses himself in her tresses.
Last August, on my Walkabout, was on my way to Bhedaghat, where Ma Narmada flows so fast & furious, when the driver of the phatphati peeled off from the route saying that a visit to Tripurasundari on the way was a must. What a lovely diversion.
The road led into the forest and stopped (see) at this fantastic temple, where i took this:
One astrologer at Kakinada told us that Lord Venkateswara is actually the Goddess Bala Tripurasundari, with long hair at the back. Hence the name Balaji!
Here's the experience of Swami Brahmananda at Tirumala: (God Lived With Them, page 106, bottom)
In Tirupati Maharaj [Swami Brahmananda] saw the Divine Mother in the image of Lord Venkateswara. His body shivered in ecstasy. Later he said to Sharvananda: "I have distinctly seen the form of the Divine Mother. Please inquire about it." After inquiry and close examination of the image and sanctuary, it was found to have been originally a Shakti temple, later converted into a Vishnu temple, probably under the influence of Ramanuja.
Am more and more inclined to believe that the Old Man at Tirumala is actually the Old Mother in disguise. She's much closer to my heart, anyway.
This photo does look like
