Divine Glory
Incarnating as an aspect of Goddess Mahalakshmi and the daughter of Akasa Raja, Goddess Padmavati is a Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) for her devotees. To have the darshan of the Mother who resides eternally in the heart of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy is to experience absolute, supreme bliss.
According to the Puranas, deeply hurt by the actions of Sage Bhrigu, Goddess Lakshmi descended to Earth and performed severe penance in Kolhapur. Later, on the auspicious day of Karthika Shukla Panchami, she manifested as a five-year-old girl in a golden lotus within the Padma Sarovar on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River in Tiruchanur.
'Alar' means flower, 'Melu' means upon, and 'Manga' means a beautiful lady. The name literally translates to "the beautiful Goddess seated upon a flower (lotus)."
The childless King Akasa Raja, while ploughing the earth for a Yajna (fire sacrifice), found the Goddess in the lotus and raised her with immense love as his adopted daughter.
Namastestu Mahamaye Sripithe Surapujite |
Shankha Chakra Gada Haste Mahalakshmi Namostute ||
(Salutations to the Supreme Illusion, who is worshipped by the Devas and seated on the Sri Peetham. Salutations to Mahalakshmi, who holds the conch, discus, and mace in her hands.)
Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Padmavati are embodiments of the exact same divine energy. However, devotees observe subtle distinctions in the fruits of worshipping their respective forms:
She is the absolute source of all wealth and the Ashtaishwaryas (eight forms of prosperity). Her incarnation took place during the churning of the cosmic milky ocean (Ksheerasagara Mathanam).
She is the 'Embodiment of Compassion'. Acting as a divine bridge between Lord Venkateswara Swamy and His devotees, she tenderly conveys our appeals to the Lord. Since this is the form that married the Lord, worshipping her is highly auspicious and supreme for those seeking marital bliss.
In Sanatana Dharma, Mahalakshmi is not merely the goddess of wealth; she is the fundamental root of the 'Sri' principle (prosperity, radiance, and auspiciousness) in all of creation.
During the Ksheerasagara Mathanam, as the Devas and Danavas churned the ocean for the nectar of immortality, Goddess Lakshmi emerged radiating divine light, holding a lotus in her hand. With her arrival, the entire universe became auspicious. That is why she is called 'Ksheerasagara Tanaya' (Daughter of the Milky Ocean). The moment she manifested, all the celestial gods sang her praises.
Mahalakshmi fulfills various needs in our lives through her eight divine forms:
The primordial energy of creation.
The Mother who bestows food and agricultural wealth.
The power that eradicates fear and grants courage during crises.
The Mother who grants royal privileges and cattle wealth.
The Mother who blesses devotees with progeny and lineage growth.
The power that ensures victory in every endeavor.
The Mother who grants knowledge and wisdom.
The Mother who bestows financial prosperity.
Goddess Lakshmi does not merely exist in the form of money. Wherever there is discipline, cleanliness, truth, and compassion, Lakshmi resides there permanently. Serving the Mother in Kshetrams like Dokiparru means removing our inner unrest and attaining her boundless compassionate grace.
It is highly prominent and auspicious that the Goddess is enshrined alongside the Lord, accompanied by Sridevi and Bhudevi, in the Sri Bhu Sametha Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Dokiparru.
In this Kshetram where the Mother is enshrined, Kalyanotsavams (divine marriage ceremonies) and special pujas are performed every single day.
Serving the Mother at Dokiparru eradicates domestic conflicts, allowing joy and peace to overflow in the family. Especially for those facing delays in marriage, offering turmeric and kumkum (Pasupu-Kunkuma) to the Mother quickly blesses them with marriage prospects.
Srikanta Chitta Visrantai Chintitartha Pradayinim |
Padmavatim Namasyami Padmakosha Nivasinim ||
(I bow to Goddess Padmavati, who resides in the lotus bud, who brings tranquility to the mind of the Lord of Sri (Vishnu), and who fulfills all desired wishes.)