The devotional legend of Ramanujacharya retrieving the utsava murti (Selva Pillai or Ramapriya) from Delhi, the idol is said to have miraculously run or walked to him like a child responding to its parent's call.
The Miracle in TraditionRamanujacharya, unable to identify the idol among the sultan's looted treasures, spent the night in prayer. The next morning, he sang Andal's "Mayanai Mannu" and called out "Adiyen Vareeren, Enthan Selva Pillai!" (Come, my beloved child!). The murti then emerged from the princess's chamber, ran to him, and sat on his lap, astonishing the court and prompting the sultan to release it.
Symbolic ElementsThis event, part of Srivaishnava hagiographies, emphasizes the deity's living presence and devotion's power, with the idol's movement mirroring other miracles like utsava murtis walking at Srirangam or Srivilliputtur to greet Ramanuja.
The princess's attachment adds a layer of interfaith devotion, as she reportedly followed the idol to Melkote.
Detailed Sequence
Ramanuja arrives at the sultan's court, fails to identify the idol among looted treasures, and spends the night in prayer. The next morning, he sings Andal's "Mayanai Mannu" (a Tamil verse praising the Lord's beauty) and calls out, "Adiyen Vareeren, Enthan Selva Pillai!" ("I have come, my beloved child!"). The murti then emerges, runs across the floor, climbs onto Ramanuja's lap, and embraces him, astonishing the sultan and court, who witness its lifelike movement.
Context and Symbolism
This occurs after the princess (Bibi Nachiyar) had treated the idol as her play-doll ("Cheluva Pillai"), growing deeply attached. The miracle prompts the sultan to release it, renaming it "Selva Pillai" ("cherished child") due to its childlike response. The princess follows in devotion, merging with the Lord or receiving a shrine at Melkote.
This hagiographic motif parallels other archa murti miracles, emphasizing bhakti's power over the deity's apparent inertness.
Festival
the story of the utsava murti Selva Pillai (Ramapriya) being retrieved by Ramanujacharya and its miraculous walk to him is celebrated during the annual Vairamudi Festival at Melkote.
Vairamudi Festival
The Vairamudi Utsava, held in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), is the most famous festival at Melkote, where the deity Cheluvanarayana Swamy is adorned with the sacred diamond crown (Vairamudi).
The festival commemorates the divine glory and miraculous aspects of the deity, including the legend of its retrieval and living presence.
During the festival, the procession of the deity through the town is believed to bring prosperity and blessings to the locals, linking it closely to the legendary narratives involving
Ramanujacharya and the deity’s miraculous story. The diamond crown itself is kept under strict government custody and ceremonially brought out only during this festival, emphasizing the sacredness attached to Melkote’s divine heritage.
This festival embodies and honors the deep devotion, temple heritage, and miraculous tales like the idol walking to Ramanujacharya in the temple’s spiritual ethos.
Other Divine Events
Ramanuja exorcised a ghost from the Hoysala princess using mantra, converting 1000 Jain priests to Vaishnavism after answering their 1000 questions in one response.
The Kalyani pond's waters, formed by Varaha's drops, hold healing properties
