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In a tale of divine destinies and celestial love, the story unfolds with Vishnu's return to Vaikuntha after his Krishna Avatar, leading to a series of events that shape the course of gods and mortals.
Characters in the story:
Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu is one of the three major deities in Hinduism, known as the preserver of the universe and the protector of dharma (righteousness). He is often depicted with four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus flower.
Rishi Bhrigu: Rishi Bhrigu is a revered sage and one of the Saptarishis (seven great sages). He is known for his wisdom, knowledge of scriptures, and authorship of the Bhrigu Samhita, a sacred text that contains predictions about the future.
Goddess Lakshmi: Goddess Lakshmi is associated with wealth, prosperity, and fortune. She is often depicted with four arms holding lotus flowers and other symbols of wealth and abundance.
Akasa Raja: Akasa Raja is a rebirth of the Chola king who later conducts a special yagna and discovers the baby girl Padmavati, leading to significant events in the tale.
Padmavati: Padmavati is an incarnation of Vedavati, with a profound connection to Lord Vishnu’s divine journey and destiny.
Shrinivasa: Shrinivasa is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who dwelled on Earth and played a significant role in reuniting with Goddess Lakshmi and marrying Padmavati.
Following the conclusion of Vishnu’s Krishna Avatar, he returned to reside in Vaikuntha. Numerous sages, led by Sage Kashyapa, embarked on a yagna. Narada’s guidance led them to select Sage Bhrigu to determine who, among Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, should receive the final offerings of the yagna. To decide, Bhrigu embarked on visits to the abodes of the gods. However, his reception from Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva left him unsatisfied.
Anticipating a similar reception at Vaikuntha, he struck Lord Vishnu’s chest upon arrival. Vishnu, perceiving the sage’s anger, humbly washed his feet, simultaneously closing Bhrigu’s third eye located there. This act ended Bhrigu’s arrogance, and he recognized his mistake. Humbly, he asked Vishnu to accept the yagna’s offerings. Nevertheless, after Bhrigu’s departure, Vishnu realized Lakshmi was upset. She informed him that the sage had struck his chest, her dwelling place. Thus, by allowing Bhrigu’s action, Vishnu inadvertently insulted Lakshmi. Unable to bear the insult, Lakshmi decided to depart Vaikuntha.
Consequently, Lakshmi descended to Earth and took up residence there. Overwhelmed by the absence of Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu journeyed to Earth to find her. He undertook meditation without sustenance in an anthill. Observing this, Lord Shiva and Brahma devised a plan with Narada. Taking the forms of a cow and calf, they approached Goddess Lakshmi. Narada persuaded her to donate the animals to the Chola king, who then gave them to the queen. Later, it became evident that the cow and calf were not producing milk, leading to accusations against the cowherd.
In a bid to clear his name and uncover the truth, the cowherd trailed the cow. He discovered that the cow was offering all its milk to the anthill. Enraged, he threw an axe at the cow, inadvertently striking Lord Vishnu, who had intervened to protect the cow. The cowherd fainted due to shock. Upon learning of the events, the king pleaded with Lord Vishnu for forgiveness. Vishnu pardoned him and foretold that the king would be reborn as King Akasa Raja.
The wound Vishnu sustained did not heal entirely, leaving a visible bald spot. Touched by Vishnu’s suffering, a Gandharva princess named Neela Devi decided to help. She cut her own beautiful hair and applied it to Vishnu’s bald spot. In gratitude, Vishnu declared that those who came to worship him would offer their hair to Neela Devi. This tradition continues at Tirupati, where devotees offer their hair.
As foreseen by Vishnu, the Chola king was reborn as Akasa Raja. He conducted a special yagna to conceive an heir. While preparing, he and the queen discovered a golden lotus box while tilling the land. Inside the box was a baby girl, whom Akasa Raja named Padmavati due to her placement on the golden lotus. Unknowm to him, Padmavati was an incarnation of Vedavati, who had aspired to marry Lord Vishnu in a previous life.
Meanwhile, Vishnu dwelled on Earth as Shrinivasa, living with his foster mother, Vakula Devi. One day, while Shrinivasa was hunting, he rescued Padmavati from an elephant’s threat. They developed a deep affection for each other.
Upon learning Padmavati’s identity, Shrinivasa disclosed his true identity as Lord Vishnu to his mother. He requested her to propose a marriage alliance to Akasa Raja. Skeptical of whether the king would believe this, Shrinivasa disguised himself as an astrologer and predicted that Padmavati would marry Lord Vishnu. When Vakula Devi approached the king with the proposal, Akasa Raja readily agreed.
Preparations for the grand wedding began, with Shrinivasa seeking financial assistance from Kubera for the ceremony. In the presence of Brahma, Shiva, and others, Shrinivasa and Padmavati were married. They created a home reminiscent of Vaikuntha and enjoyed their days together. Learning of their marriage, Lakshmi’s fury prompted her to confront Vishnu. Witnessing her anger, Vishnu transformed into stone, manifesting as Lord Venkateswara.
Brahma and Shiva descended to Earth to pacify Lakshmi, eventually leading her to reside in Vishnu’s chest as before.
Padmavati settled in Tiruchanur, granting blessings to her devotees. A pilgrimage to Lord Venkateshwara at Tirupati remains incomplete without a visit to the Tiruchanur temple.
In a story of divine love and destiny, Lord Vishnu’s devotion and sacrifices reunite him with Goddess Lakshmi and fulfill the destined union between Shrinivasa and Padmavati, uniting earthly and celestial realms.
