Padmavati Temple Tirupati /Tiruchanoor and Its Secret
The tale of Goddess Padmavathi Devi, the divine consort of Lord Venkateswara, is recounted in numerous ancient texts. As per one legend, …
Lord and Maha Lakshmi Reunited
The Lord’s Quest to Find Lakshmi
Feeling a sense of incompleteness without His eternal divine companion Lakshmi, the Lord decided to honor Padmavathi’s presence.
He suggested that Padmavati stay at Vakula Matha’s ashram while He embarked on a quest to find Lakshmi.
The Lord’s Penitent Journey to Kolhapur
When the Lord arrived in Kolhapur, all the deities became visible, except for Lakshmi, even though she had manifested herself.
Troubled by this, the Lord decided to cleanse himself in Padma Kund, Panchaganga, and Rudraprayaga—a sacred confluence that remained unknown—to appease his eternal consort.
Despite undergoing ten years of intense tapasya (penance), he still could not catch a glimpse of Lakshmi.
His distress remained unresolved.
Akashvani: The Divine Voice
A divine voice (Akashvani) informs the Lord that Goddess Lakshmi has chosen to manifest in her unsympathetic form (Rajo Guna), to eliminate the prevailing evil. Due to this, the Lord is unable to perceive her presence, as she will only be visible in her purest form of divine goodness (Suddha Sattva).
The divine voice instructs the Lord to visit the hermitage (Aashram) of Suka Maharshi.
There, he is to construct a pond and plant a lotus .
The Lord must ensure that these lotuses remain vibrant and unharmed for approximately 12 years while he engages in deep meditation (tapasya) on Lakshmi
Subsequently Goddess Lakshmi will emerge on Karthika Panchami in her suddha Sattvika form and she will grace the Lord.
The Lord’s Divine Pond: A Tale of Visiting Suka Maharshi’s Hermitage/Tiruchanoor
The Lord, following the divine voice, visits the hermitage (aashram) of Suka Maharshi.
He digs a divine pond. Vayu Deva is given the responsibility to adorn the excavated pond with majestic golden lotuses from Deva Loka (the realm of the gods).
To ensure that the lotuses do not wither, the Lord commands the Sun to stay for twelve years.
The Lord engages in deep meditation (Tapasya) on the heart of the lotus, reciting Maha Lakshmi moola mantra, while contemplating the pure and divine form of Lakshmi, for a period of 12 years.
The Miraculous Return of Goddess Lakshmi
In Padmasarovaram the Gods and sages prayed intensely, begging goddess Lakshmi to return to the Lord.
On the fifth day (Panchami) of the month of Karthika in the twelfth year, while the Lord was deeply engrossed in meditation (Tapasya), something magical happened.
The golden lotus at the center of Padmasarovaram slowly opened up, revealing a peaceful form of Maha Lakshmi.
She looked stunning, adorned with jewels and shining brightly in white attire. Majestic elephants showered her with the sacred Akasha Ganga.
Maha Lakshmi had now appeared before everyone.
The Gods were overjoyed and showered her with heavenly flowers. At that moment, the Lord opened His eyes and saw Maha Lakshmi before Him.
He warmly embraced her and placed a garland around her neck.
Credits: Nanduri Sriniwas
Some important points.
- Maha Lakshmi emerged in Padmasarovaram, and Suka Maharshi and the Gods requested her to manifest.
- She graciously obliged and manifested as Sarva Swatantra Veera Lakshmi in Tiruchanur.
- The deity at Tiruchanur is suddha sattva Lakshmi surrounded by lotuses, not Padmavathi who was on Venkatachalam at that time.
- The name “Alarmelu Manga” comes from her emergence seated in a golden lotus.
- Lakshmi, being associated with lotuses, is also referred to as “Padmavathi Devi” in a mellifluous manner.
- Tiruchanur’s Padmavathi Devi is not Akasha Raja’s daughter but rather a partial incarnation of Lakshmi, named Padmavathi Devi.
