Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari is the goddess or kula devatha of the Arya Vysya

community as mentioned in the Vasavi Puranamulu written in Telugu during the 10th century
AD.The most famous temple of this goddess is located at Penugonda,West Godavari District,
Andhra Pradesh, India.
Kusuma Sresti, the king of the Vysyas was ruling the kingdom making Penugonda (called the
Kasi of Arya Vysyas)[1] (Jestasailam) as capital city for all the 18 mahapattana's during 10th11th
century AD. Kusumamba was his wife. They were ideal couple and led a peaceful domestic life.
They were worshipping Lord Siva (Nagareswara swamy) and Lord Vishnu (Janardhana Swamy)
as the part of their daily duties. His kingdom was part and parcel of Vengidesha, which was ruled
by Vishnu Vardhana-7 or Vimaladitya Maharaj.
The couple were childless and became concerned about who would succeed them. They
approached Kulaguru (family teacher) Bhaskaracharya. He advised them to perform Puthra
Kamestiyaga which Dasharatha had observed.
During the auspicious hour, Kusuma Sresti couple started the yaga. The Gods were pleased and
sent prasadam (a blessed fruit from god) through Yagneswara (fire god). There was a divine
utterance that they would get children after eating prasadam. With utmost devotion they ate
Prasadam, and within a few days the sign of pregnancy was found with Kusumamba. She
expressed unusual desires, which indicated that she would give birth to children who would fight
for the welfare of all.
Childhood

Kusumamba gave birth to twins on 10th of Vaishakha (a Telugu month). The boy was called
Virupaksha, and the girl Vasavamba. During childhood, Virupaksha demonstrated leadership
qualities while Vasavamba was inclined towards art, architecture and music and showed a
philosophical approach to life.
Under the guidance of the Vysya kula guru Bhaskaracharya, Virupaksha learnt Vedas, fencing,
horse riding, martial arts and archery. Vasavamba studied fine arts and mastered philosophical
subjects. Virupaksha went on to marry Rathnavathi, the daughter of Aridhisresti of Aelur Town.
Attempted marriage

Kusumasresti welcomed and entertained Vishnu Vardhna at Penugonda when the latter visited
during an expedition to expand his empire and vanquish his enemies. During this visit, Vardhna
noticed Vasavamba and determined to marry her. This caused Kusumasresti a dilemma: he was
neither in a position to accept Vardhna's wishes nor to refuse the. The disparities of age and caste,
as well as the fact that the emperor was already married, were significant objections, but, in
consultation with advisers and family members, Kusumasresti decided that Vasavamba should
make up her own mind. Her response to was express a desire never to marry and to focus her life
on less worldly issues.

Kusumasresti told Vardhana of his daughter's decision, which caused a fury and an attempt to
capture Vasavamba by force. The battalion sent to achieve this aim was thwarted by the Vysyas
of Penugonda.
Kusumasresti arranged for a Great Conference comprising the Chiefs of the 18 cities and the
leaders of all 714 gotras, to be held in the presence of Bhaskaracharya. There were differences of
opinion at this conference, with 102 gotra chiefs preferring resistance to the overtures and attacks
of Vardhna but the leaders of the other 612 gotras believing that matrimonial alliance would be
safer and more beneficial. Bhaskaracharya favoured the minority view, saying that retaining
respect was of greater significance than protecting life, and Kusumasresti was inspired by this
support. Thus, the unity of the Vysyas was broken and the 102 gotras prepared for the defence of
Penugonda against further attacks by Vardhana.
Vasavi Devi's reaction

Vasavi entered onto the scene and said: "Why should there be bloodshed among ourselves for the
sake of a Girl? Why sacrifice the lives of soldiers for our selfish desire. It is better to give up the
idea of war. Instead, let us rebel in a novel way. We can control war through non-violence and
self-sacrifice. Only people with strong will power and moral strength can participate in this kind
of self-sacrifice." Vasavi's new idea was delightful to her parents and they decided to act in
accordance with Vasavi's directions.
Athmam Balidhana

As per the directions of Vasavi, at the holy place of Brahmakunda on the banks of Godavari, the
royal servants arranged 103 Agnikundas (fire pits) in a special way. The whole city was
observing that day as a festival day. Then Vasavi asked the couples of the 102 Gotras: "Will you
plunge into this holy fire along with me?" Everyone of them whole heartedly gave their consent.
They suspected Vasavi must be an incarnation of God and requested her to show her real nature
or swarupa.
She smiled and revealed her true self, which had the glittering radiance surpassing the brightness
of the sun. She said: "I am the incarnation of Adiparashakthi. To safeguard the dignity of woman
and to protect Dharma, to destroy Vishnu Vardhana and to reveal to the world the magnanimity
of Vysya's I come here in Kaliyuga. Like Sati Devi who was insulted entered into holy fire, I too
plunge into the holy fire and enter the other world. Kusumasresty during last birth was a great
Saint by name Samadhi as per his aspirations he could attain salvation along with the people of
102 Gotras. That is why I asked you all to undergo Athmam Balidhana." Vasavi advised the
gathering about patriotism, honesty, social service, and tolerance.
Vishnu Vardhana's death

Devi disappeared as soon as the divine words came out of her mouth and people saw her in
human form. Then all of them entered into holy fire after meditating upon their Gods.

Though Vishnuvardhana felt bad omens, he marched ahead and reached the main entrance of
Penugonda. Then his detectives reported all that had happened in the city. He could not bear the
great shock and his heart shattered into pieces. He fell down vomiting blood and he was no more.
The self-sacrifice of Vasavi and the end of Vishnuvardhana was the talk of the town. People
condemned the deeds of Vishnuvardhana and appreciated the epoch maker Vasavi and her nonviolent principle.
Sri Vasavi Devi's legacy

The son of Vishnuvardhana, Raja Raja Narendra rushed to Penugonda and repented about the
incident. Later, Virupaksha consoled him and said: "Brother, let us learn and formulate the
present and future on the strong base of past. Vasavi had come to rescue of the people without
giving room for great bloodshed. Her non-violence gave a good result". Hence forth Vysya's
shall not fight or rule states but shall engage in service and as well wishers of others including
services such as trade and agriculture.
Virupaksha visited many pilgrim centers like Kasi, Gaya and others under the guidance of Vysya
kula guru Baskaracharya. To commemorate the pilgrimage they installed 101 lingas for each
gotra in Penugonda. Then, Narendra installed a statue of Vasavi as a token of respect. From that
day onwards all Vysya's began performing poojas to her and she is considered as Vysyakula
Devatha-Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari.
Vasavi's life is worth remembering because of her faith in non-violent religious values and her
defense of the status of women. She became immortal because she has been mainly responsible
for the propagation of the reputation of Vysya's throughout the world. Vasavi, who had rejected
worldly pleasures, won the minds of Vysyas and is the champion of peace and non-violence and
is remembered by the faithful.
Gotras

There are 714 gotras before agnipravesham of vasavi matha now there are 102 gotras among
rya Vaiyas. They followed 102 Rishis for conducting their rituals. Surname gotras and Rishis
for identification and classification for all the rya Vaiyas are one and the same. The gotras is
equivalent of the Sanskrit names of Rishis.
Groups of rya Vaiyas became followers of particular Rishi for conducting their rituals and
they claimed to be the followers of that particular Rishi. Thus they are identified by the Rishi
name. And for still feature identification they use a pre-fix surname generally indicating the area
from which they migrated or the profession to which they belong and other such identification