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With huge offerings received from the devotees every year, the Tirumala Tirupati Temple has emerged as the richest temple in India. This temple is an abode to Lord Venkateshwara with his consorts and is situated in the southern state of India – Andhra Pradesh.
This story from the Hindu mythology narrates an interesting incident about Lord Vishnu and Kubera, the God of Wealth. It narrates how Lord Vishnu, the lord of lords himself had to borrow money from Kubera. It is believed that Lord Vishnu is in debt to Kubera, till date! However, the reason behind such offerings by the devotees is an interesting story to know.
Venataadri samam sthaanam brahmande naasti kinchana,
Ventatesha samo Devo na bhuti na bhavishyati
Translating to: There indeed is no God like Lord Venkateshwara on Earth and none else like the self- manifested singular Deity worthy of faith and total dedication for now and forever.
Maharshi Bhrigu &Trimurthi
Before the beginning of Kaliyuga, once a Maha Yagya (Divine sacrifice) was organised. Many great sages were present there to participate in this Yagya. This was organised at the bank of the river Saraswati. Maharshi Bhrigu who was one of the seven great sages (Saptarshis) in the Hindu mythology, was also present there. At that point, all the sages could not decide who amongst the Trimurthi (Lord Brahma, lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva) was to be made the Pradhanta (Master) of that Yagya. They could not decide who was more deserving. Sage Narada then suggested that Sage Bhrigu could be sent to test Trimurthi (Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva). With the consent of all the other great saints present there, it was decided that Maharshi Bhrigu will test and decide who was eminent.
Firstly, Sage Bhrigu decided to test Lord Brahma. After reaching Brahmaloka, he displays great disrespect towards Lord Brahma and continues to do so until Lord Brahma stops him. Angered at Sage Bhrigu’s behaviour, Lord Brahma wanted to teach him a lesson. Just then Saraswati (wife of Lord Brahma) stops him from doing so. At this, Sage Bhrigu cursed Lord Brahma that no one will worship him in Kaliyuga and leaves from there.
Next, Sage Bhrigu decided to test Lord Shiva. He then proceeds to Kailash Paravatha. As he reaches Kailash Parvatha, Nandi who was guarding that place, stops Sage Bhrigu from meeting Lord Shiva. Upon questioning him, Sage Bhrigu learned that Lord Shiva and Parvati were spending time together. He further adds that no one was allowed inside. Angered at this, Sage Bhrigu cursed Lord Shiva that he will only be worshipped in his Linga form. He then leaves to visit Lord Vishnu at Vaikuntha Dhama.
Lastly, Sage Brighu reached Vaikunta Dhama to test Lord Vishnu. He finds Lord Vishnu resting and insisted on waking him up. However, Lord Vishnu was in deep sleep and hence displayed no reaction. Angered by this, Sage Bhrigu kicked lord Vishnu on his chest. At this, lord Vishnu wakes up and realises everything that has happened. Lord Vishnu showed decent behaviour and apologised to Sage Bhrigu. It is believed that Lord Vishnu started massaging Bhrigu’s feet and served him great hospitality. At his behaviour, Sage Bhrigu was pleased and decided that it was Lord Vishnu who was superior amongst the Trimurthi.
Goddess Lakshmi as Padmavati
Upon viewing this incident of Sage Bhrigu kicking Lord Vishnu’s chest, Goddess Lakshmi was furious. She witnessed the whole incident and was angry. She questions how could Sage Bhrigu kick Lord Vishnu’s chest and that his chest was where she lived at. She then cursed him that henceforth she would never visit Brahmins and they will all live in absence of wealth. On hearing this curse from Lakshmi, Sage Bhrigu told her about the true nature of his visit. Goddess Lakshmi then told Maharishi Bhrigu, that her curse would still haunt Brahmins but whenever any Brahmin would worship Lord Vishnu, he would be liberated from the curse. However, Goddess Lakshmi was furious. She could not forgive Sage Bhrigu as easily as Lord Vishnu did. Then Goddess Lakshmi left Vaikunta Dhama and went to Earth.
In the Chandra dynasty, King Akasa Rajan and his wife Dharani Devi in the hope for an offspring decided to perform a Yagya. It was a tradition in which the ground where the Yagya was performed, was to be ploughed. The King followed this and there he found a baby girl sleeping on a golden lotus. He saw the child was healthy and very beautiful. She was none other than Goddess Lakshmi herself. The couple then caressed the baby and named her ‘Padmavathi’. Padmavathi translates to the baby found in Lotus (Padma). This beautiful and accomplished girl, Padmavati had been granted a boon in her earlier birth that she would be married to Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu as Srinivasa
Lord Vishnu followed Goddess Lakshmi to Earth. He took birth as Srinivasa. He was born as the son of Vakula Devi. Vakula Devi is the reincarnation of Yashoda. In Treata yuga, she was the foster mother of Lord Krishna and raised as her own son until he left to kill Kamsa. However, she was unhappy that she could not see the marriage of Lord Krishna in that birth. On learning about her disappointment, Lord Krishna then gives her a boon that in her next birth she would witness his marriage. Hence, Maatha Yashoda was reborn as Vakula Devi, mother of Srinivasa.
Srinivasa & Padmavati
In due course of time, Padmavati grew up into a beautiful maiden and was attended by a host of maids. One day while Princess Padmavathi was spending her time in a garden picking flowers with her maids, Sage Narada approached her. Assuring her that he was her well-wisher, he asked her to show him her palm to read her future. He foretold that she was destined to be the spouse of Lord Vishnu himself.
Around this time, Srinivasa went into the forests near the hills, chasing a wild elephant. He eventually ended up in the garden where princess Padmavathi and her maids were picking flowers. At the very sight of Padmavathi, Srinivasa was stunned and drawn to her. She too was drawn to him. However, the guards of the garden mistook him as a mere hunter. They then drove him away. Later, Srinivasa met the princess and her maids. He talked to them and told them about his birth and parentage. He also got to know about the princess and that she was Padmavathi, the foster daughter of Akasa Raja.
Eventually, both of them fell in love and wanted to marry each other. Srinivasa’s mother, Vakuladevi thought that Srinivasa would not be happy unless he married Padmavati. She then offered to go to Akasa Raja and his Queen with the marriage proposal. The royal couple then learned about the boon to Padmavathi and realised that it was lord Vishnu himself asking for marriage. After consulting with sage Brihaspati, the royal couple agreed to give the hand of their daughter in marriage to him. Akasa Raja also called the palace purohits to fix a suitable date for the marriage. Lord Srinivasa then called for a conference of the Gods to win their consent for his marriage with Princess Padmavati.
It is believed that Lord Srinivasa himself wanted to bear the expenses of the marriage. He wanted to do this to impress Akasa Raja before the marriage. However, there are other versions of this story. These versions narrate that King Akasa agreed to the marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavathi on one condition. He stated that Srinivasa should bear the expenses of the marriage and in turn pay a dowry to marry his daughter. King Akasa is said to have looked down upon Lord Srinivasa as he was relatively very poor. Akasa Raja considered Srinivasa to be penniless and he could only agree if he could prove himself and bear the dowry to marry his daughter. This left Lord Vishnu helpless.
Kubera – Hindu God of Wealth
Kubera, also referred to as Kuber, is the Lord of Wealth according to the Hindu mythology. He is a semi-divine being, called a Yaksha and is also a god-king. Considered to be a Dik-Pala (the regent of the North), he is also a Lokapala (protector of the world). He belonged to the roots of Lord Brahma’s family and was born as the son of Vishrava and Illavida.
In Hinduism, devotees worship Lord Kubera as the treasurer of wealth. He is known to be the bestower of the riches. He is hence worshipped along with Goddess Lakshmi before Diwali on the Dhanteras day. This custom of worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera together is in prospect of doubling the benefits of such prayers. While Kubera still enjoys prayers as the god of wealth, his role is largely taken by the god of wisdom, fortune and obstacle-removal, Lord Ganesha, with whom he is generally associated.
ॐ ह्रीं ह्रीं ह्रीं, महालक्ष्मी, धनदा लक्ष्मी
कुबेराम मम ग्रहेस्थिरो ह्रीं ॐ नम:।
In Hinduism, the Kubera Mantra is considered highly significant. It is believed that by chanting this Mantra, Lord Kubera shall shower all the blessings to fulfill your desires and free you from debts or finance-related crisis.
Kubera’s credit to Srinivasa
Srinivasa hence took the help of Lord Kubera to get out this situation. He sought a loan from Kubera, the Hindu God of Wealth. Srinivasa was given mountains of gold as promised by Kubera. He agreed to the loan on one condition that Lord Vishnu cannot return to Vaikunta (heavenly abode) without paying off the debt. Lord Vishnu then took a loan of one crore and fourteen lakh coins of gold from Kubera. This was the only way he could prove himself. He took the loan on a promise to repay it back to Kubera by the end of Kaliyuga with interest. However, Lord Vishnu as Srinivasa could never pay back the debt he took from Kubera. Hence, it is known that the devotees of Lord Balaji often offer huge amounts to help their God return back to Vaikuntha. The Tirupathi temple is said to be the residence of Lord Balaji until then.
Marriage of Srinivasa & Padmavati
The wedding of Srinivasa and Princess Padmavathi was one of the magnificent weddings in the Hindu mythology. All the Gods blessed the couple from heaven and the wedding was beautifully described as a treat to the eyes of the viewers.
For the wedding, Viswakarma, the divine architect created heavenly surroundings in the Seshadri hills. As soon as day of the wedding arrived, Lord Srinivasa was bathed in holy waters in Pushkarini tank and dressed in jewelled ornaments like a royal bride groom. Then he set off in a procession for the court of Akasha Raja. In the palace of Akasha raja, Princess Padmavathi waited for the groom all set for the marriage. Lord Srinivasa was hailed with an arthi and led to the marriage hall. There the King and Queen washed his feet while sage Vasishta chanted the Vedic mantras. Vakula Devi could finally witness the wedding of her beloved son, as per her boon.
Soon the wedding was over with all rituals and it was time for Padmavathi to take leave of her parents. After that Padmavati and Srinivasa went to Venkatachala hill and live there happily.
However, this marriage was bound to happen. It was the maya (illusion) of Lord Vishnu himself. In order to please his consort, he reincarnated as Lord Srinivasa and married Padmavathi. She was in turn considered the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi herself. With the help of Kubera, God of Wealth, Lord Vishnu borrowed a huge sum of money for his wedding with Padmavathi.
It is believed that the amount of dowry that Lord Srinivasa paid to Akasa Raja was so huge. In order to help Lord Srinivasa repay his debt to Kubera, devotees offer donations. They believe that with their offerings, Lord Srinivasa would finally be able to return back to Vaikuntha Dhama. In exchange for the generosity of the devotees, he gives his blessings which can be used to generate more wealth, or break free from the attachment to wealth. So, the devotees offer Lord Vishnu wealth and he makes them rich and the cycle continues. This in turn made Tirupati, the richest Hindu temple in India.
