It is believed that before the advent of Kaliyuga, the Rishis led by Rishi Kashyapa decided to conduct a yagna on the banks of the Ganga. When the sages were unable to respond to Narada for the reasons for performing the yagna and to which God they wished to honor, they approached Sage Bhigru who was believed to denote the opulence of God and was one of the Saptarishis. To directly assess prior to reaching a solution, he visited the abode of Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and then finally Lord Vishnu. But he was not noticed by either of the deities. By now, the furious sage kicked Vishnu on the chest to get his attention. The sage realized his folly when Vishnu got hold of the sage’s legs and gently pressed the extra eye, present in the sole of Bhigru’s foot, believed to stand for the sage’s egotism. The sage begged for forgiveness. He went back to the other sages to inform them that Lord Vishnu deserved the honor of reverence. But Goddess Lakshmi was upset with Bhigru’s disrespect and left Vaikunta for Kara Virpur (now referred to as Kolhapur).
Lord Vishnu was distraught after Lakshmi’s departure. He began meditating without food or sleep for his wife’s return. The Gods were concerned about the situation and both Brahma and Shiva disguised themselves as a cow and a calf. The Sun God Surya asked Goddess Lakshmi to take the avatar of a cowherd and sell them to the ruler of the Chola country. The cows that the King bought were grazing on the Venkata hills. Lord Brahma, who was disguised as a cow, started feeding Vishnu on the anthill.
Since the cow was not offering any milk in the palace, the Queen was upset and chided the cow herder. Puzzled, he observed the cow emptying its udder over the anthill. Angered, he took an ax and tried to kill the cow. Lord Vishnu emerged from the anthill and saved the cow’s life by receiving the blow instead. A furious Lord Vishnu cursed the shepherd to die instantly. He died with the same ax which he used to try and kill an innocent cow and calf which helped him in quenching his thirst. Lord Vishnu cursed the king to become an Asura because of the servant’s misdeed. After pleading for pardon, the kind deity stated that the ruler would be reborn as Akash Raja and that he would wed his daughter in his next birth.
In his next birth, Lord Vishnu took the form of Srinivasa and was born to a woman called Vakula Devi. It is believed that Lord Krishna offered Yashoda a boon that he will be born to her in Kali Yuga. Vakula Devi is said to be the reincarnation of Yashoda. Srinivasa used to live in the forest. One day, Lord Srinivasa encountered a gorgeous woman – Padmavati, daughter of Akash Raja. Soon, they fell in love and desired to get married, according to the boon of Lord Vishnu to the Chola ruler in the previous birth.
To fulfil the marriage expenses, Srinivasa borrowed money from Kubera and assured them to repay the loan with interest till the end of Kali Yuga. After they were wed, Sage Narada notified Lakshmi about the marriage. Furious, the Goddess confronted Lord Vishnu. The conflict between his two spouses steered Srinivasa to convert himself into a stone. Padmavati and Lakshmi are also believed to have turned into stone on either side and Vakula Devi, a garland.
Images of Padmavathi Devi Shown on the Left side.
Lord Balaji is believed to stand for the God of Justice. The Namam or the forehead mark represents his blindfold while his two wives who are resting on either side of his chest are thought to be the scales of justice with the sword of justice hanging between. His black-figure symbolizes his representation of Shani or Saturn. The deity is assumed to assess the merits as well as demerits of his worshippers. He is known to bestow rewards as well as order punishments. Through devotion, love, and faith for the Lord, his kindness is summoned which helps to lessen the evil effects of past actions.
Original, natural, superior quality 19 Mukhi Rudraksha which blesses you with prosperity, virtues, abundance, and fulfils desires. It is ruled by Lord Narayana, and its immense healing power helps pacify the malefic effects of planet Mercury. 19 Mukhi is also associated with Lord Balaji
THIRUPATHI BALAJI SHALIGRAM IDOLS
Shaligram is a sacred stone which is worshipped as a representative of Lord Vishnu and is collected from Gandaki Kali River in Nepal. These magnificent idols are carved on the beautiful Shaligram stone and make a fine addition to your puja altar.
The Rudraksha and Shaligram Idols of Balaji are available in Rudra Store , Bangalore.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu would live as Balaji there until the loan to Kubera is fully repaid. To assist him in repaying his debt, the worshippers place offerings in the Hundi or the donation box. The deity in return is assumed to fulfil their prayers.
The five-faced mukhalinga is called pancha-mukhalinga. The five faces relate Shiva to the classical elements, the directions, the five senses and five parts of the body. These represent Shiva's five aspects: Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Ishaan
The twenty-first Kalpa on the earth was known as 'Peetavasa'. It was named so because of the apparel of lord Brahma which were of yellow colours. Lord Brahma's prayer resulted into the manifestation of an effulgent entity. Considering this entity as Lord Shiva, Lo
Lord Aghora, an antinomian and annihilater form of Shiva closely associated with the cremation ground, who appeared to Baba Keenaram atop Girnar Mountain in Gujarat
The Sharabha Upanishad portrays Sharabha with two heads, two wings, eight legs of the lion with sharp claws and a long tail.
Lord Balaji is not the Incarnation of Lord Visnu.
WE WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A HAPPY MAHA SHIVARATRI . THIS SHIVARATRI BRINGS JOY, HAPPINESS, COLORFUL TO UR LIFE.
Yours
Vasavi Charitable Trust Management - President