Marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavati at Venkatachala

(Skanda Purana - Venkatachala Mahatmya - 7 to 8)

Sr Venkateswara

• Akasaraja calling Brihaspati to fix the date of the marriage: After the assembly of ministers delightfully gave their consent for the marriage, king Akasaraja called Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods to fix an auspicious date for the marriage. The king suggested that since the native star of Padmavati is Margashirsha and Lord Srinivasa is Shravana, let the marriage take place at the conjunction of these. Brihaspati selected the Uttaraphalguni day of the month of Vaisakha as the auspicious date of the marriage. The king duly honoured Brihaspati and bade him farewell.

• Akasaraja sending messenger to intimate Lord Srinivasa about the date of marriage: King Akasaraja then sent Suka, a favourite of queen Dharani, as messenger to intimate Lord Srinivasa about the date of marriage. Bakulamalika and Suka mounted a horse and reached Venkatadri. Suka intimated Srinivasa about the words of Padmavati. Padmavati requested the Lord to accept Her. She said that She always repeats His names, wears His symbols, worships His devotees and follows other rites pleasing to the Lord.

• Srinivasa giving a garland for Padmavati: Hearing the words of Suka, Lord Srinivasa gave His message and a garland of forest flowers for Devi Padmavati. The garland was made of basil and was scented with musk. After returning to Narayanapura, Suka told the message of the Lord and gave Her the auspicious garland. Devi Padmavati accepted the garland with Her head bowed down and then placed it on Her head. From then on She waited for the arrival of the Lord on the day of marriage.

• Akasaraja starting preparations for the marriage with the help of the devas: Akasaraja sent his son Vayu (Vasudana) to bring Indra and other devas (to help in the marriage preparations). The devas extended their services as follows: Vishwakarman decorated the city. Indradeva showered flowers over the city (like rain). Celestial damsels danced. Kubera filled the place with wealth and foodgrains. Yama made the men free from disease. Varuna filled the place with jewels and precious stones. Chandradeva prepared food suitable to be offered to the Lord with his nectarine rays. After making all the arrangements, the devas went to Vrishachala (to accompany the party of the bridegroom). On the day of marriage, queen Dharani adorned her daughter adequately and waited for the bridegroom.

• Devi Lakshmi and other attendants adorning Lord Srinivasa for the marriage: On the day of marriage, Devi Lakshmi and other attendants adorned Lord Srinivasa. They extended their services as follows: Priti (Pleasure) brought sweet-scented oil. Sruti (Vedas) brought silk clothes. Smriti (Code of Conduct) brought ornaments. Dhriti (Fortitude) brought a mirror. Shanti (Peace) brought musk. Sri (Beauty and Prosperity) brought Yakshakardama (a fragrant substance). Kirti (Fame) brought golden headband and crown studded with gems. Indrani held the umbrella. Saraswati and Gauri held the chowries. Jaya and Vijaya held the fans. Sri applied scented oil and peformed the ablution of the Lord with hundred pots of waters from celestial rivers, the golden pots brought by elephants, and the water rendered fragrant with camphor and other substances. Sri fumigated the hairs of the Lord and tied them. She then adorned the Lord with blue silk cloth on the waist, waistbands, coronets, rings and other ornaments. Seeing the mirror the Lord applied the Urdhvapundra (on His forehead).

• Lord Srinivasa starting for Narayanapura as a bridegroom: Then Lord Srinivasa and Devi Lakshmi mounted on Garuda and started for Narayanapuri. They were accompanied by Brahma, Isha, Varuna, Yama, Yakshesha, Vasishtha and other eminent sages, Sanaka and other yogis, and host of devotees and loyal followers. Vishwaksena, Bakulamalika and other celestial attendants followed on chariots, Gandharvas sang and the celestial damsels danced. The celestial musicians played the divine dundhubi drums. The sages recited the swasti mantras. The party reached the city of Akasaraja.

• Devi Padmavati circumambulating the city on elephant Airavata: When king Akasaraja saw the party of the Lord, he made Devi Padmavati sit on elephant Airavata and circumambulate the city. The bride and bridegroom met at the ornamental gateway of the city.

• Lord Srinivasa and Devi Padmavati exchanging garlands: Sitting on their respective vehicles, Lord Srinivasa and Devi Padmavati exchanged garlands. Lord Srinivasa took a garland fro His neck and put around Devi Padmavati. Devi Padmavati in turn took a garland of jasmine and placed on the neck of Lord Srinivasa. They exchanged garlands three times and then got down from their respective vehicles.

• The marriage ceremony taking place: Getting down from their respective vehicles, the bride and the bridegroom entered the marriage chamber. Lord Brahma performed all the marriage rites starting with tying the Mangalasutra and ending with Laja homa. The marriage rites continued for four days. Then the devas took leave of Akasaraja.

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

• Stotras

• Scriptures

• Pilgrimages - by Groups - by Deities - by States - by Geography

• Sacred Geography - Mountains - Rivers

• Festivals

• Sages - Hermitages - Penances

• Saints - Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana

• Sadhana

• Sanskrit

• Nature

• Arts and Sciences

• Bharatavarsha - Puranic History - Puranic Lineage