Once, there was an old Brahmin on Tirumala. He was weak and frail. He was 100 years old. His eyesight was poor, and he couldn't walk. He was hungry and needed help. He called for his disciple, Kaundinya, who had gone to collect twigs and fruits. The Brahmin was scared and worried because it was getting late.

At that moment, Lord Sri Venkatachalapathi, dressed as a young man, came near. He had heard the Brahmin's cries. The young man asked the Brahmin why he was so scared. The Brahmin said that he came to collect twigs and fruits with his disciple, but Kaundinya had not returned. The evening rituals were about to start, and he couldn’t go back without help.

The Lord smiled and asked, 'Why do you, an old man, want to do these rituals? Do you want to live longer?' The Brahmin replied, 'I don’t want to live longer, but I must do my prayers. That is my duty, and my body is here only to worship God.'

The Lord was happy with the Brahmin's faith. He took him to a stream and asked him to bathe in the cool water before going home. The Brahmin was happy and went into the stream. When he came out of the water, he was shocked! He had turned into a strong and handsome young man of sixteen.

To his surprise, he saw the true form of Sri Venkateswara. Flowers fell from the sky, and heavenly beings sang praises of the Lord. The Brahmin bowed down to the Lord with all his heart. The Lord blessed him and told him to continue his prayers happily.

Before the Brahmin could say anything, the Lord disappeared. The stream that gave the Brahmin new life was named 'Kumara Dhara,' which means 'the stream of youth.' It is still believed that those who bathe in this stream three times a day for three months will regain their youth and strength.

Knowledge Bank

Number of pujas in temples

Pancharatra Agama prescribes as many as 12 pujas in a day. Shatkala or 6 times puja is common even today. They are 1. Early morning, usha kala - about 5 to 6 am. 2. Late morning, upasandhi, about 9.00 am, 3. Noontime, madhyahna, about 12.00 noon, 4. Evening, sayahna, about 6.00 pm. 5. Early night, pradosha, about 8.00 pm 6. Late night, ardha yama, about 10.00 pm. Depending on the circumstances, the number is sometimes reduced up to 2, morning and evening.

What does Veda say about periods?

As per Krishna Yajurveda Kanda 2. Prashna 2. Anuvaka 2, women accepted part of Indra's brahmahatya dosha in return for permission for physical relationship only for pleasure. Until then, physical relationship was permitted only for procreation. A woman's body carries this sin during menstrual days. Vedic tradition advises vrata during these days, which has several health and spiritual benefits.