Good morning.
(18th July)
Shri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari located at Penugonda,West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh is the Goddess or ‘kula devatha’ (family deity) of the Arya Vysya community, as mentioned in the Vasavi Puranam. Penugonda is the birth place of ‘Vasavi Matha” and hence the temple is known as Penugonda Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari temple of Shri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari who is the sacred goddess of Vysyas. Among the numerous temples of Goddess Vasavi, Penugonda is the place wherever the primary temple of Shri Vasavi was designed . The good saint Pulasthya is said to have performed penance here and achieved the vision of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara at the same time.
Penugonda was a part of Vengidesha, which was ruled by the Chalukya king, Vishnu Vardhana. The couple had spent many happy years of their married life, but didn't have any children. They performed the Putrakameshti Yagam and were blessed by Goddess Sarvani with twins, a boy and a girl. The twins were born in the month of Vaisaka at twilight when Uttara and Kanya Nakshatras coincide. They named the boy ‘Virupaksha’ and the girl ‘Vasavamba’.
Sri Baskaracharya was the teacher and guiding star of the community. The Vysyas took his advice on religion, cultural and social matters. Under his guidance, Vasavi learnt all the fine arts and mastered philosophical subjects and Virupaksha learnt horse riding, martial arts, Vedas, fencing and other qualities to rule the country. Once, Vishnu Vardhana went on a trip to extend his empire. On the way, he visited the city of Penugonda and was welcomed by King Kusuma Sresti. The people looked at him with awe and reverence. In the crowd, Vishnu Vardhana spotted the beautiful Vasavi. He was besotted after Manmatha (God of Love) threw his sweet arrows on him. His eye sought the enchanting figure of Vasavi again and again. He made up his mind to marry her and sent his ministers to talk to Kusuma Sresti.
Kusuma Sresti was neither in a position to accept nor to deny. He could not show any anger or a disturbed mind and told the ministers that the Vysya community has certain norms to follow regarding the marriage of their daughter. The minister’s response was that the king wanted to marry Vasavi and that it should take place. Kusuma Sresti consulted with the Vysya elders to discuss the situation. They all decided to give utmost importance to the views of Vasavi. She expressed her desire to be a virgin throughout her life with the intention to meditate. King Vishnu Vardhana was angered when he heard of the denial of Kusuma Sresti to give his daughter. As a result, he sent a big army to attack Penugonda and to get Vasavi. There was a big battle and the brave Vysyas defeated Vishnu Vardhana's army by using the techniques of Sama, Dhana, Veda and Dhanda.
At this stage, Vasavi decided to enter the Homakundam to stop the atrocities. She indicated that she would be the first one to enter the homokundam and others could follow her. On the banks of Godavari, 103 Agnikundas were constructed and filled with sandalwood, ghee and herbs. Everyone decided to act in accordance with Vasavi. Couples of 102 Gothras (castes) joined Vasavi to plunge into the holy fire. All the people realized that Vasavi was the incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. Vasavi smiled and revealed her true self, the Vishwa Roopa Darsan of Kanyaka Parameswari, the incarnation of Dharmaraksha and Ahimsa. When Vasavi entered the homakundam of raging fire, suddenly the fire turned into a cool breeze and Agni Deva came out with folded hands and said that he could not bear Vasavi who was hotter than him. Vasavi told Agni Deva that she did not want to perform Agni Pariksha, she would grow cooler towards him and he could transport her and the others to Kailash through her transplanetory powers. She performed Agni Pravesam to reach Kailash and the others followed her. After the sudden demise of Vishnu Vardhana, his son Prince Rajaraja Narendra visited the land of Penugonda with a retinue of peace loving citizens. Vasavi was worshipped as Kanyakaparameswari and the first temple for Vasavi was built in Penugonda.
(18th July)
Shri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari located at Penugonda,West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh is the Goddess or ‘kula devatha’ (family deity) of the Arya Vysya community, as mentioned in the Vasavi Puranam. Penugonda is the birth place of ‘Vasavi Matha” and hence the temple is known as Penugonda Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari temple of Shri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari who is the sacred goddess of Vysyas. Among the numerous temples of Goddess Vasavi, Penugonda is the place wherever the primary temple of Shri Vasavi was designed . The good saint Pulasthya is said to have performed penance here and achieved the vision of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara at the same time.Penugonda was a part of Vengidesha, which was ruled by the Chalukya king, Vishnu Vardhana. The couple had spent many happy years of their married life, but didn't have any children. They performed the Putrakameshti Yagam and were blessed by Goddess Sarvani with twins, a boy and a girl. The twins were born in the month of Vaisaka at twilight when Uttara and Kanya Nakshatras coincide. They named the boy ‘Virupaksha’ and the girl ‘Vasavamba’.
Sri Baskaracharya was the teacher and guiding star of the community. The Vysyas took his advice on religion, cultural and social matters. Under his guidance, Vasavi learnt all the fine arts and mastered philosophical subjects and Virupaksha learnt horse riding, martial arts, Vedas, fencing and other qualities to rule the country. Once, Vishnu Vardhana went on a trip to extend his empire. On the way, he visited the city of Penugonda and was welcomed by King Kusuma Sresti. The people looked at him with awe and reverence. In the crowd, Vishnu Vardhana spotted the beautiful Vasavi. He was besotted after Manmatha (God of Love) threw his sweet arrows on him. His eye sought the enchanting figure of Vasavi again and again. He made up his mind to marry her and sent his ministers to talk to Kusuma Sresti.Kusuma Sresti was neither in a position to accept nor to deny. He could not show any anger or a disturbed mind and told the ministers that the Vysya community has certain norms to follow regarding the marriage of their daughter. The minister’s response was that the king wanted to marry Vasavi and that it should take place. Kusuma Sresti consulted with the Vysya elders to discuss the situation. They all decided to give utmost importance to the views of Vasavi. She expressed her desire to be a virgin throughout her life with the intention to meditate. King Vishnu Vardhana was angered when he heard of the denial of Kusuma Sresti to give his daughter. As a result, he sent a big army to attack Penugonda and to get Vasavi. There was a big battle and the brave Vysyas defeated Vishnu Vardhana's army by using the techniques of Sama, Dhana, Veda and Dhanda.
At this stage, Vasavi decided to enter the Homakundam to stop the atrocities. She indicated that she would be the first one to enter the homokundam and others could follow her. On the banks of Godavari, 103 Agnikundas were constructed and filled with sandalwood, ghee and herbs. Everyone decided to act in accordance with Vasavi. Couples of 102 Gothras (castes) joined Vasavi to plunge into the holy fire. All the people realized that Vasavi was the incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. Vasavi smiled and revealed her true self, the Vishwa Roopa Darsan of Kanyaka Parameswari, the incarnation of Dharmaraksha and Ahimsa. When Vasavi entered the homakundam of raging fire, suddenly the fire turned into a cool breeze and Agni Deva came out with folded hands and said that he could not bear Vasavi who was hotter than him. Vasavi told Agni Deva that she did not want to perform Agni Pariksha, she would grow cooler towards him and he could transport her and the others to Kailash through her transplanetory powers. She performed Agni Pravesam to reach Kailash and the others followed her. After the sudden demise of Vishnu Vardhana, his son Prince Rajaraja Narendra visited the land of Penugonda with a retinue of peace loving citizens. Vasavi was worshipped as Kanyakaparameswari and the first temple for Vasavi was built in Penugonda.
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