Niceties of Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam

SRI VENKATESHA KALYANA …

Introduction.....

Vaisakha maasam is the sacred month the divine marriage of Lord Venkateshwara (Srinivasa) and Goddess Padmavathi Devi took place. In fact, this event of divine marriage forms the basis for the Supreme Lord Vishnu to manifest at Tirumala hills in this Kaliyuga. For making this event happen Lord Vishnu came down to the earth from his abode Vaikunta after having a wrangle (Leela of the Lord) with his consort Goddess Maha Lakshmi. He took the form of Srinivasa and settled down at Aananda Nilaya on top of Tirumala Hills called Venkataadri also known as Venkataachala after getting married with Goddess Padmavathi Devi.

Kalyaanam means auspicious. When it is the Kalyaana of the Supreme Lord, the auspiciousness will be in abundance and it will be for the universal welfare and well being of the humanity.

Kalyaanaadbhuthagaatraaya Kaamithaarthapradaayiney
SreemadhVenkatanaathaaya Srinivaasaayaythe Namaha

Above sloka stands as a testimony to the benevolence of Lord Srinivaasa (Venkateswara) who is an epitome of auspiciousness (Kalyaana); the one who bestows wealth and fulfills all the desires of his devotees who sings his glory.

To begin with let us try to understand Lord Srinivasa in a modest way....

WHO IS LORD SRINIVASA?

Srinivasa is one of the several thousand names of Lord Vishnu. In Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama Stothram we find a reference to the word Srinivaasa in sloka # 65.

Sri means Goddess Lakshmi; Nivaasa means the (abode) residence. Srinivaasa means; the one (Goddess Lakshmi) who always dwells (nithya-anapaayani) in the (Hrudaya) chest of Lord Vishnu inseparably poised; the one who (Lord Vishnu) is the abode for Goddess Lakshmi Devi. He (Srinivaasa) is the Lord of Goddess Lakshmi.

Sri Venkatesha stothram from Brahmanda Purana describe the Lord as...

"Bhoothaavaaso Giraavaasah Srinivaasah Sriyah Pathih
Achyutha-anantha-Govindo VishnurVenkatanaayakah"

Ø  He (Lord Srinivaasa) is the one in whom everything rests; entire universe itself is indweller in Him;

Ø  The One who lives on the mountain (Venkataadri);

Ø  He (Srinivaasa) is the Lord and consort of Goddess Lakshmi who always rests in His Hrudaya;

Ø  He is the One who is indestructible; imperishable;

Ø  One who is all pervasive, eternal, beyond all boundaries; for whom there is no limit either by space, time or location; one who has infinite number of forms; He dwells in the entire Universe; He is invincible and omnipresent.

Ø  He is the One who helps us to survive and surmount the earthly existence and reach Supreme realization of the Self. He is the guardian of the Earth; the protector of Vedas; who is eulogized by Vedas.

Ø  He is Lord Vishnu; the one who dwells in each and every element of this universe and everything dwells in Him. Matchless in excellence He is the primordial supreme Lord; the mega spirit; pervades the many, various and different objects of three Universes and the three worlds of souls.

Ø  Lasting as inner soul of every being; He is the Lord of Venkataadri hills His abode in this Kaliyuga; He is (Sri + Nivaasa) Srinivaasa.

"Venkataadrisamam Sthaanam Brahmaande Naasthi Kinchana
Venkatesasamo Devo Na Bhootho Na Bhavishyathi"

In this Universe there is no other sacred place equivalent to Venkataadri (Tirumala); there is no God equivalent to Lord Venkateswara neither in the past nor in the future going to be.

Above verses from Sri Venkatesa Stothram (Brahmanda Purana) are just an example of the glory, origin and significance of Lord Srinivasa (Venkateswara).

In simple, He is none other than Lord SriManNarayana; Sri Hari (Harey! Srinivaasa); Maha Vishnu; the house hold deity; whose glory and reference we find in as many as twelve Puraanaas the consolidation of which is called Sri Venkataachala Mahaatmya

There are several stories about the Lord (Srinivaasa) at Tirumala Hills who is believed to be in existence since time immemorial.

He is in Archaavathaara (worshipable form), Swayam Vyaktha (self manifested), will be present in Aananda Nilayam (present abode of the Lord) till end of Kaliyuga protecting Dharma and humanity from the evils of Kaliyuga.

It is believed that He will be present on Earth in every Kaliyuga. Tirumala the abode of Lord Venkateswara is Kaliyuga Bhuu-Vaikuntam.

“Kruthethu Naarasimho Bhoo Trethayaam Raghunandana
Dwaapare Vaasudevascha Kalau Venkatanaayaka”

Ø  In Krutha Yuga, Lord Naarasimha; 

Ø  In Tretha Yuga, Lord Sri Raama; 

Ø  In Dwaapara Yuga, Lord Sri Krushna and 

Ø  In Kaliyuga, Lord Venkateswara (Srinivaasa) 

are known as Prathyaksha Dhaivams (perceivable Deities).

Lord Venkateswara is the presiding deity of Kaliyuga – Kalau Venkatanaayaka.

Is it possible for anyone to describe Lord Srinivaasa (Venkateswara) in this Universe? Even Lord Brahma cannot and could not do it. His glory is infinite. He is highly meritorious among the meritorious. No one can describe or define Him precisely.

Sri Venkatesha Sthothram (Brahmanda Purana)

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2010/10/sri-venkatesha-sthothram-brahmanda.html

(Please click on the link for English, Kannada & Telugu versions)

The verses from Sri Venkatesa Stothram an extract from Brahmaanda Purana (as a dialogue between Lord Brahma and Sage Naarada) stands as a testimonial to the glory; origin and significance of Lord Srinivasa (Venkateswara).

Reciting above prayer (Stothra) on Lord Sri Venkateshwara daily three times is highly meritorious that will ward off the evil effects one is facing in this Kaliyuga.

It is also a very effective prayer remedy during Saturn’s Dasa or Gochara (transit) like Sade Saath, Ashtama Shani, or Ardhaashtama Shani periods.

Having understood that Lord Venkateswara (Sinivasa) is none other than Lord Sri ManNarayana the Maha Vishnu....

WHAT WAS LORD'S OBJECTIVE BEHIND THE DIVINE MARRIAGE?

Main objectives of the supreme Lord (Vishnu) behind this marriage were; 
(a reference in Bhavishyottara Purana)

To fulfill the commitment made during His incarnation of Sri Rama Avathara to marry Vedavathi;

To fulfill the commitment made during His Sri Krishna Avathara to His foster mother Yasoda Devi to get married in her presence;

Last but not the least and the most important Loka Kalyaanaartham; to protect Dharma; for the welfare and well being of the world; to protect His devotees during Kaliyuga from the evils of Kali by residing on top of the Venkataadri hills;

PREAMBLE TO THE DIVINE MARRIAGE...

At the end of Dwaapara Yuga after Sri Krishna Avathaara when eminent Rushis’ were performing (Yajna) sacred rituals; Sage Naarada comes there and asks them to whom they are offering its (Yajna-phala) fruits, for which the sages had no answer.

On the advice of Sage Naarada, all the sages requests and appoints Sage Brugu Maharshi to go round the Universe to find out the fittest God who is also possessed with saattvik qualities for offering the fruits of sacred rituals.

In the process, Sage Brugu visits Brahma Loka and Kailasa and finds that they are not competent for receiving the Yajna-phala since they have Rajo and Tamo qualities.

Finally, the sage visits Vaikunta the abode of Lord Vishnu who was with his consort Goddess Lakshmi. He (Lord Vishnu) did not notice the Sage’s visit. In his fit of anger Sage Brugu kicks Lord Vishnu on His chest with his (Brugu) leg.

Being saattvik in nature, Lord Vishnu did not get angry or offended with this incident; instead pleaded guilty (delusion) with the sage for having not noticed the Sage’s visit.

Pleased with the gesture of Lord Vishnu, sage Brugu apologizes to Lord Vishnu; declares Him (Lord Vishnu) as the Supreme God and the fittest person to receive the fruits of the (Yagna phala) sacred rituals.

In the process, Goddess Lakshmi whose abode is always Lord Vishnu’s (Hrudaya) chest deemed to have also received the punch. She becomes very angry and furious with Lord Vishnu for His gesture (delusion) towards the sage and after having a brief wrangle leaves Vaikunta and reaches Kariveerapuram (present Kolhapur).

Very much upset with the incident and unable to bear the detachment (delusion) with Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu begins vigorous search for Goddess Lakshmi and in the process comes down to (Bhooloka) the Earth.

During the course of His search for Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu reaches Tirumala Hills and start living there in the name Srinivasa under the nursing and care of Vakula Devi.

During one of His outing, He (Lord Srinivasa) happened to see the Princess of that place Padmavathi Devi and falls in love with her and intend to marry her.

WHO IS PADMAVATHI DEVI?

In the episode of Sri Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam; Padmavathi Devi is the foster daughter of King Aakaasaraja and Dharani Devi. The Royal Couple had no children and Padmavathi Devi was found on a Lotus flower while ploughing the (Yajna) sacrificial ground. Since she was found among the Lotus (Padma) petals she was named Padmavathi.

In her previous birth (Tretha Yuga), Padmavathi Devi was none other than Vedavathi {an incarnation (amsha) of Goddess Lakshmi} the brain child (mind born) of sage Kusadhwaja. Vedavathi had strong desire to marry Lord Vishnu and did lot of penance also to marry Him.

But, before her desire could get fulfilled she (Vedavathi) had to go in to the captivity of Raavanaasura as Maaya Seeta in lieu of Goddess Seetha Devi as per the Divine trick played on Raavanaasura in the episode of Seethaapaharana in the epic Raamaayana. After Goddess Sita Devi was reclaimed, Lord Sri Rama was requested to marry Vedavathi so also to fulfill her (Vedavathi's) desire to marry Lord Vishnu.

Since Lord Vishnu in His incarnation as Sri Rama was committed to only one wife (eka-pathni vratha) He (Lord Sri Rama) refused the proposal. However, Lord Sri Raama promised to fulfill her desire in Kaliyuga in His (Vishnu) avathara as Srinivasa when Vedavathi would take birth as Padmavathi daughter of Aakaasaraaja.

This is one of the purposes (objective) of Lord's manifestation in Kaliyuga for the fulfillment of the promise He made to marry Vedavathi.

WHERE IS THE TEMPLE OF PADMAVATHI DEVI?

In memory of the divine marriage, Aakaasaraja constructed two separate temples in the same complex at Narayanavanam (33 km from Tirupathi near Puttur on the way to Chennai) for Goddess Padmavathi and Lord Srinivasa and installed their idols. 

Evidencing the marriage of Padmavathi Devi, a hand mill (grinding stone) said to have been used at the time of the divine marriage is still present in front of Sri Padmavathi Temple. Lord Srinivasa called here as Kalyaana Venkateswara Swamy gives darshan in the attire of a bride groom. This is the only place where Goddess Padmavathi Devi (Vedavathi) has a temple exclusively.

WHO IS VAKULA DEVI?

Vakula Devi under whose nursing and care (delusion) Lord Srinivasa was residing on Tirumala Hills before His marriage with Goddess Padmavathi Devi was none other than Yasoda Maata (foster mother of Lord Sri Krishna) in Dwapara Yuga.

Yasoda Maata had no opportunity to perform or witness even a single marriage of Lord Sri Krishna which she very much desired to. In order to fulfill her desire, Lord Sri Krishna had given her a boon that, in His (Lord Vishnu) Kaliyuga Avathara as Srinivaasa, His marriage would get performed with her (Yasoda Maata/Vakula Devi) involvement and contribution. Accordingly she (Yasoda Maata/Vakula Devi) only negotiated for the marriage of Lord Srinivasa and Goddess Padmavathi that was performed in her presence.

There is an exclusive temple for Vakulamata built about 300 years ago on a rocky hill in Perurbanda village about 10 km from Tirumala. This temple was constructed in such a way that it faces the Seven Hills, where her son (Lord Srinivasa) resides.

WHO IS AAKASARAJA?

Aakasaraaja was a Chola king ruling a kingdom called Thondamandalam with Narayanapuram (present Narayanavanam) as its capital. He belongs to the Lunar Dynasty (Chandra Vamsa). His younger brother was Thondamanu Chakravarthi who went on to become a great devotee of Lord Sri Venkateswara.

Akaasaraaja had no children and Goddess Padmavathi was found to him in a Lotus while ploughing the field after performing Yajna. Therefore Goddess Padmavathi is his foster daughter and as such Aakaasaraaja is father-in-law of Lord Srinivasa.

SRI PADMAVATHI-SRINIVASA KALYANAM...

During the course of His search for Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu reaches Tirumala Hills and start living there in the name Srinivasa under the nursing and care of Vakula Devi.

In one of His outings, He (Lord Srinivasa) happened to see the Princess of that place Padmavathi Devi and falls in love with her and intend to marry her. Incidentally Padmavathi Devi also fell in love with Srinivasa and was determined to marry Him.

After initial hiccups and intervention by Lord Srinivasa Himself (in the form of fortune teller) and Vakula Devi; Aakaasa Raaja got convinced and decides to get his daughter (foster) Padmavathi Devi married with Lord Srinivasa.

In consultation with the Divine preceptor Bruhaspathi, Akaasaraaja fixes the marriage muhurtha, drafts a formal letter of invitation to Lord Srinivasa to marry his daughter Padmavathi Devi and entrusted Sage Sukha Mahamuni the job of delivering the letter to Lord Srinivasa and in turn he promptly delivers the letter with all humility to Lord Srinivasa.

On the other side having agreed for the marriage and having received the invitation from Akaasaraaja, Lord Srinivasa summons Brahmaadi Devathas for making arrangements for His marriage.

WHAT IS THE DEBT INCURRED BY LORD SRINIVASA?

While marriage arrangements were going on, Lord Srinivasa realized that He has no money (delusion) with Him for His marriage. Symbolically this is due to the detachment (delusion) of Sri (Goddess Lakshmi) from Srinivasa (Vishnu).

To meet his marriage expenses, Lord Srinivasa had to incur a debt, borrowing money from Kubera the divine Cashier as per the suggestion given by Lord Shiva (Rudra). In turn Lord Srinivasa also executes a promissory note (agreement) in his own hand as per Kali Yuga Dharma. Amount borrowed was to the tune of 14 lakhs Nishkamas (currency) having symbol of Lord Sri Rama repayable with interest at the end of Kaliyuga.

Witnesses for the debt were, Lord Brahma; Lord Shiva and the sacred Tree Aswatta Vruksha. It is said that a script in this regard is available in Bhavishyottara Purana (11th chapter).

After arranging for adequate funds for the divine marriage, arrangements took full pace. Goddess Lakshmi was summoned for the marriage sending Lord Surya as His emissary.

Lord Srinivasa sets his journey for the marriage along with Goddess Lakshmi Devi and Brahmaadi Devathas.....

As the contingent of Lord Srinivasa reached the marriage venue, Akaasaraaja received the Supreme Lord Vishnu (Lord Srinivasa) and his followers with full honours and took Him in procession mounted on an elephant.

PRAVARA (Lineage) DURING KANYADANA....

Lord Srinivasa

Gothra: Vaisishta
Great Grandson of Yayati
Grandson of Soorasena
Son of Vasudeva
Birth Star - Sravana Nakshathra

Goddess Padmavathi

Gothra - Athri
Great Granddaughter of Suveera
Granddaughter of Sudharma
Daughter of Akaasaraaja
Birth star - Mrigasira

ALMANAC (Panchanga) FOR THE MARRIAGE DAY...

As per scripts the divine marriage called Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyaanam took place in the 28th Kaliyuga (current),

Ø  Vilambinaama Samvatsara, 

Ø  Uttaraayana, Vasantha Ruthu, 

Ø  Vaisakha Maasa, 

Ø  Sukla paksha (bright fortnight), 

Ø  Dasami Thithi (10th lunar day); 

Ø  Bhargava Vaasara (Friday)…

At the stipulated time (muhurtha) the divine marriage of Goddess Padmavathi and Lord Srinivasa took place in a grand manner in the presence of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, all other Deities, sages and other divine personalities including Vakuladevi (Yashodamaata).

PLACE & VENUE OF THE MARRIAGE...

There is a general saying that ‘Marriages are made in Heaven’. When such is the case, the place where the Divine marriage of the Supreme Lord Srinivaasa took place must be a Superior Heaven.

This divine event (marriage) took place at NARAYANAPURAM (currently called NARAYANAVANAM) capital of Aakasaraja which is about 33 km from Tirupathi on the way to Chennai near Puttuur.

Evidencing the marriage of Padmavathi Devi a hand mill (grinding stone) said to have been used at the time of the divine marriage is still present in front of Sri Padmavathi Temple at Narayanavanam.

In memory of the divine marriage, Aakasaraja constructed two separate temples in the same complex at Narayanavanam for Goddess Padmavathi and Lord Srinivasa and installed their idols. This is the only place where Goddess Padmavathi Devi (Vedavathi) has a temple exclusively.

After the marriage Lord Srinivasa and Padmavathi Devi (Vedavathi) could not go to Tirumala immediately following a local tradition (Lokareethi) that, new couple should not climb a hill for a period of six months soon after marriage. They instead stayed near Agasthya Aashram for a period of six months as per the advice of Sage Agasthya.

The place where Lord Srinivasa stayed along with his consort Goddess Padmavathi is now known as Srinivasa Mangapuram which is about 15 km from Tirupathi. There is a temple of Lord Venkateswara at this place and the idol of the Lord here is a replica of the one at Tirumala. Here also the Lord is called Kalyaana Venkateswara Swamy.

To commemorate the sacred event of Sri Padmavathi Srinivaasa Kalyaanam, a three day festival is held every year at Narayanagiri in Tirumala Kshethra under the auspices of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (TTD) coinciding with Vaisakha Sukla Dasami that generally occurs during April/May months.

In fact, Tirumala temple conducts Kalyaanotsavam of the Ever Green Supreme Lord Sri Venkateswara and His consorts Sri Devi - Bhoo Devi on a daily basis called Srivaari Kalyanotsavam except on certain specified days. Nowadays we observe TTD conducting Sri Vaari Kalyaanotsavam even outside Tirumala temple at specified places and even abroad.

There is a tradition especially in Madhwa sampradaya to make paaraayana of Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam (Sri Venkatesha Kalyana) starting from Akshaya Thrutheeya (Vaisakha Sukla Thrutheeya) ending with Vaisakha Sukla Dasami for a week days. 

It is highly meritorious if one performs/sponsors or participates in Kalyaanotsavam of Lord Srinivaasa (Venkateswara) and also read/listen to the episode of Srinivaasa Kalyaanam from Venkataachala Mahaatmya. It is believed that where Sri Venkatesa Mahaatmya is read or heard; there, one will have good longevity; good health; good prosperity and eventually that will lead to salvation.

Kalyanadbhutha Gaatraaya Kaamithaartha Pradaayine
Sri MadhVenkatanaathaaya Sreenivaasayathe Namaha

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu