Etymology and Other Names
The name Venkateshwara can be split into multiple parts in Sanskrit: Vem (Destroy), Kata (Sin), and Ishwara (Supreme Lord). Using this etymology, Venkateshwara refers to the Supreme Lord who destroys sins. He is the main deity in Tirupathy (www.srivari.com).
The ancient Vishnu Kautuvam describes Him as Souryaraya, the one who destroys the evil and who comforts us. He is fondly called Venkanna in the folklore of Andhra Pradesh. He is also known as "Srinivasa", "Balaji, venkatesa and by many other names.
He is also worshipped with the name Tirupati Thimmappa all over Karnataka by traditionally Shiva-worshipping communities. The presence of seven hills in the area influenced alternate names for the deity: such as Edukondalavadu in Telugu and as Ezhumalaiyan in Tamil, both of which mean "Lord of the Seven Hills". According to legend, the temple has a murti (deity) of Lord Venkateswara, believed to have resided there for the entire Kali Yuga.
In his mangala sloka in 'Sri Bhashya', the Lokaguru Shrimath Ramanujacharya declares the glory of Lord Venkateswara:
"akhila bhuvana janma sthema bhangAdi lIle
vinata vividha bhuta vrAta rakshaika dikshe |
Sruti Sirasi vidIpte brahmaNi SrInivAse
bhavatu mama parasmin Semushi bhakti rUpA ||
May my intellect assume the form of Bhakti in Srinivasa, the highest Reality, revealed in the Vedanta as the Lord who creates, protects and destroys the whole universe with sportive ease and who has taken a vow to protects all creatures who seek Him."
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