Perseverance and hard work

Bhadra is the son of Mount Meru and Menaka. Bhadra was born after long penances by his parents, with the boon of Brahma. He was a great devotee of Sri Maha Vishnu.

In Tretayuga, Sri Rama was in search of Sita devi along with Lakshmana. His search in Dandakaranya brought him to the current geographical location called Bhadrachalam. Bhadra saw Rama, and was overjoyed. He approaches Sri Rama, and asks Him to be seated on him along with Sita devi, so that others can benefit by visiting this place.

Rama agrees, but tells him that He is in search of Sita devi and He would return later accompanied by Sita devi to fulfill his wish. Overjoyed, Bhadra sought blessings of Sri Rama. As it turned out, Sri Rama goes to Lanka, kills Ravana, rescues Sita devi, but does not stop at Bhadrachalam on His way to Ayodhya.

Bhadra awaits the fulfillment of his boon. Time passes, and lord Sri Rama returns to His celestial abode, Vaikuntham. Aghast that the lord did not keep up His promise, he undertakes penances to please Lord Vishnu. Years turn into eons, and yugas. Dwapara yuga comes and passes, Kali yuga sets in. Bhadra remains steadfast in his arduous resolve to have his boon fulfilled.

It is due to this perseverance, steadfastness and devotion that Sri Maha Vishnu takes form of Sri Vaikuntha Rama along with Lakshmi devi in the form of Sita devi, and Adi Seshu, in the form of Lakshmana to fulfill Bhadra's boon. This is why Bhadrachalam is a pious site, and visiting this place removes all sins (Hindi and Telugu : paaps). For that reason, the mountains surrounding Bhadrachalam are called the Paapikonda Range, where people have been able to get rid of their paapas.

Moral of the story is this : just attaining the boon from the lord was not enough for Bhadra. He has put in a lot of years of effort in order for his boon to be fulfilled. Things only happen to deserving people, and they do not happen until one proves himself to be deserving what he is getting.