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The story of Vaikunta Rama revolves around Lord Vishnu manifesting in a unique form to fulfill the unwavering devotion of Rishi Bhadra. This divine form, worshipped at the Bhadrachalam Temple.
Characters in the story:
Lord Rama: Lord Rama is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism and is the seventh avataar of Lord Vishnu. He is known for his virtues of righteousness, courage, and devotion, and is considered a symbol of ideal human behavior and the victory of good over evil.
Mata Sita: Mata Sita is the wife of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. She is regarded as an epitome of feminine virtues and is worshipped as a goddess by many.
Rishi Bhadra: Rishi Bhadra was a devoted sage known for his intense penance and unwavering faith in Lord Vishnu.
Lakshman: Lakshman is a prominent character in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where he is depicted as the younger brother of Lord Rama and a loyal companion in his journey to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.
Vaikunta Rama is a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, created to fulfill the wish of his devoted follower, Rishi Bhadra. This form is worshipped in the Bhadrachalam Sri Rama Temple, located in Bhadrachalam, Telangana, India, symbolizing the power of deep devotion.
Rishi Bhadra, a fervent devotee of Vishnu, performed intense penance on the banks of the Godavari River. It was there, in the Dandakaranya forest, that Rama met him while searching for Mata Sita, who had been kidnapped by Ravana.
Rishi Bhadra requested Rama to spend time with him, but Rama, pressed for time in his search for Sita, could not stay. Bhadra, willing to go to any length for the Lord, even offered to carry Rama on his head. Moved by such devotion, Rama promised to fulfill his desire on his return journey.
After rescuing Mata Sita and defeating Ravana with the help of the Vanara army, Rama, caught up in his divine mission, forgot about the promise he made to Bhadra. The Rama avatar eventually ended, but Bhadra’s unwavering penance continued.
Realizing this, Lord Vishnu appeared before Bhadra in the form of Vaikunta Rama, accompanied by Mata Sita and Lakshman. Announcing his arrival by blowing the Shankh (conch), he fulfilled Bhadra’s desire.
The place where Vishnu manifested as Vaikunta Rama is Bhadrachalam, where Rama, Mata Sita, and Lakshman are worshipped in the form in which they appeared before Rishi Bhadra. The murti (idol) of Lord Ram in this form has four hands—holding the Shankh and bow in his right hands, and the Chakra and bow in his left hands. Mata Sita is seated on Ram’s lap, while Lakshman stands nearby, completing the divine scene of Vaikunta Rama.
The manifestation of Vaikunta Rama highlights the profound bond between the Lord and his devotees, showing that sincere devotion never goes unanswered. This form stands as a reminder of Lord Vishnu’s compassion and his commitment to fulfilling the desires of the faithful.