SANKSHIPTA SRIPADA SRIVALLABHA CHARITAMRITAM
Chapter 6 Sripada showers angelic grace upon Tirumala Das The next day Tirumala Das renewed his recountal, appraising the circumstances that prompted Bapanarya to become a resident of Pithikapuram: “On one occasion Bapanarya was invited to officiate as a High Priest to a yagna in Pithikapuram. There was heavy rainfall after the yagna connoting good tidings. Vatsavayi Narasimha Varma, an affluent Kshatriya present there requested Bapanarya to make Pithikapuram his homestead; however, the latter declined. At that moment, Varma was informed that Gayatri, his favourite brown cow was nowhere to be found. As Bapanarya was well conversant in astrology, he made some calculations and stated, “Narasimha Varma, your cow was nabbed by a butcher and taken to Syamalambapur, the present Samarlakot. Hasten someone to the spot immediately to save it or else it may be slaughtered.” Thereupon, Varma put forth a condition. “I will send someone to bring back Gayatri only if you accept 24 acres of land and a well-built house as a token of gift.” Bapanarya, who never accepted any gifts from any one, was in a dilemma. Unwillingly he yielded to the condition, as he did not want to accrue the sin of cow slaughter. Thus, Gayatri was saved and Bapanarya became the denizen of Pithikapuram. Eventually, He was blessed with a son, Venkavadhani and a daughter, Sumati. As she was born with all auspicious characters in her horoscope and as she walked elegantly like a queen, she secured the name ‘Sumati Maharani’- Sumati, the Queen. Within a short span of time, Bapanarya became a highly notable person. A youth called Ghandikota Appala Lakshmi Narasimha Raja Sharma of Bharadwaja lineage, came to Pithikapuram to learn Vedas and scriptures from Bapanarya. The latter arranged his stay in his house. 42