The villagers and tribals wanted to continue their traditional worship of Dewi.
And Ramanuja was keen to convert - he had the local king's support.
'We need not quarrel. Let the deity decide for itself,' he wagered.
Swords, shields, spears, tridents, noose, goad, conch, discuss and more were arrayed in the sanctum.
Doors were closed and sealed at nightfall. Villagers and others stood vigil.
And Ramanuja prevailed upon a serpent, slithered unseen through a floor drain, into the shrine.
He did what little had to be done; Slithered out, morphed into his human form, and joined the vigil.
Doors were opened at dawn. And the 'deity had chosen' a conch and discuss.
"It is Wishnu, it is Wishnu," exclaimed Ramanuja. And villagers withdrew.
A Dhana-akarshana yantra was embedded in her shrine.
In time, her breasts were chafed, and named Bhudewi, Sridewi.
Her forehead was smeared, to mask her third eye.
And Dewi morphed into Wishnu.
Yet her lions still stand guard, atop her vimana.
Grandfather's narrative at the temple court of Tirupati
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