Srinivasa sending Bakulamalika with marriage proposal at Venkatachala

(Skanda Purana - Venkatachala Mahatmya - 5 to 7)

Sr Venkateswara

• Srinivasa becoming enchanted by Padmavati - Sending Bakulamalika with marriage proposal: After meeting Padmavati, Srinivasa lost His mind to Her. He was in a sort of absent-minded semi-conscious state. His attendant Bakulamalika guessed that He was in love. She asked about the girl Who was able to enchant Him. Srinivasa told the story of Padmavati Who was earlier Vedavati. As Vedavati She acted as Devi Sita and bore the hardships of captivity of Ravana. As a result Srinivasa (as Sri Rama) gave Her the boon that He will accept Her as His wife in the Kali Yuga of the 28th Chaturyugas. She has now taken birth in the city of Narayanapura (as the daughter of Akasaraja). Srinivasa told Bakulamalika about His meeting with Padmavati in the forest. He requested Bakulamalika to go to Narayanapura with the marriage proposal. Bakulamalika asked about the route to Narayanapura. Srinivasa told the route which passes through - Nrisimha cave, Agastyeswara Linga and hermitage of sage Agasta on the bank of river Suvarnamukhari; hermitage of sage Suka inside the forest near Padmasaras lake which is full of lotuses, where Krishna and Balarama abide propitiated by the sage; then crossing river Suvarnamukhari and passing through forests and gardens, reaching the bank of river Arani; finally reaching Narayanapura, which is a beautiful land with gardens laden with various fruit trees and flowering plants. Bakulamalika mounted a red horse and started for Narayanapura.

• Padmavati also becoming enchanted by Srinivasa - King Akasaraja consulting an astrologer: On the other side at Narayanapura, Padmavati was also enchanted by Srinivasa. She was also in a semi-conscious state lost in His thoughts. The king finding Her unwell consulted an astrologer. The astrologer told that his daughter was in love with an excellent man. That man has deputed a maiden with a proposal which will be conducive for the welfare of the king. The astrologer also suggested to perform the bathing rites of Agastyeswara Linga by brahmanas. The king sent brahmanas and the companions of Padmavati to perform the bathing rites of the Linga.

• Queen Dharani consulting a Pulindini woman: When the brahmanas and the companions of Padmavati were out to visit Agastyeswara Linga, a Pulindini woman was passing near the palace proclaiming her ability to tell about the past and the future. Queen Dharani called her in and asked her to tell about the future. The queen gave her sufficient food and gifts. The Pulindini woman told the queen that her daughter was in love with a man, hence She is in a depressed condition. She also told that the man is none other than the Primordial Lord Hari. He has met her daughter in the forest and both of them are in love with each other. The princess will get well after they are united.

• Bakulamalika meeting the companions of Padmavati at Agastyeswara Linga: When the brahmanas and the companions of Padmavati reached the Agastyeswara Linga to perform the bathing rites of the Linga, Bakulamalika (who started from Venkatadri) also reached there. They introduced each other and told about the purpose of each other. Knowing the purpose of arrival of Bakulamalika, the companions of Padmavati took her to queen Dharani.

• Bakulamalika meeting queen Dharani - King consents to the marriage proposal: Queen Dharani was pleased to meet the divine lady Bakulamalika. After coming to know of her purpose the queen was delighted. She went to the king and both went to Kamalalaya. The king consulted the assembly of ministers. The ministers were also delighted with the proposal and gave their consent for this marriage. The king called Brihaspati, the preceptor of gods to fix and auspicious date for the marriage.

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