Last week, I took my parents and my sister’s family on a pilgrimage to Tirupati.
By God’s grace, our family follows the Saivite tradition under the Nandinatha Sampradaya, Kailasa Parampara of Kauai Aadheenam.
People often ask about the difference between Saivism and Vaishnavism. For a Saivite, Lord Siva is the Supreme Being. For a Vaishnavite, Lord Vishnu is Supreme. Yet my Satguru constantly reminds us that there is only one Supreme God, known by different names.
Saint Thirumular beautifully expressed this truth:
“Thennadudaiya Sivane Potri! Ennattavarkkum Iraiva Potri!”
Meaning, “In the South we praise Him as Siva; for the whole world, He is the Divine.”
Perhaps that is why our Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, named the temples in Kauai as Kadavul Temple and Iraivan Temple—names that transcend sectarian boundaries.
The last time I visited Tirupati was in 2018.
There is a beautiful Tamil saying:
Mata, Pita, Guru, Deivam
Mother, Father, Guru, God.
Our parents introduce us to the world. A Guru introduces us to God.
The purpose of human birth is Self-Realization. Once one receives diksha and accepts a Guru, there is no confusion or second path. One simply follows the Guru’s teachings with faith. It is often said that when a disciple takes one sincere step, the Guru takes nine steps toward the disciple.
As a Saivite, I primarily worship in Siva temples. We visit other temples during pilgrimages or when accompanying family and friends. This trip was one such occasion—to take my parents and sister’s family to Tirupati.
Our first stop was the sacred Sri Kalahasti Temple, one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalas, representing the element of Air (Vayu). It is a deeply powerful temple. I had even shared the inspiring story of Kannappa Nayanar and Sri Kalahasti in my children’s book, I‘m Strong, Bro!.
Tripathi
After a wonderful darshan there, we drove to Tirumala—the majestic Seven Hills.
I have always fondly called Lord Venkateswara my Mama (uncle). If Lord Siva is my Father, then Lord Venkateswara naturally becomes my Mama!
My parents had booked their darshan three months earlier. I had not booked one for myself because a mentee had kindly offered to help arrange a VIP darshan on that day.
As the day unfolded, things didn’t go as planned. The arrangement could not be made, and I realized I would not be having darshan of Lord Venkateswara.
For a moment, many thoughts crossed my mind.
Was I supposed to have darshan today? Should I keep trying? Or should I simply accept His will?
My daughter and I walked to the shrine of Lord Hanuman, who stands before the great temple. We offered our prayers, sat quietly, meditated, and had a peaceful virtual darshan from there.
As we began walking down the hill, something extraordinary happened.
Near the gopuram, the Utsava Murti of Lord Venkateswara emerged from the temple in procession.
I stood there, speechless.
I hadn’t gone to see Him.
He had come out to see me.
It was one of those moments that cannot be explained—only experienced.
Sometimes, when devotion is sincere, the Lord shortens the distance.
The answer is often not outside us.
It has always been within.
