Lord Venkateswara Swamy

Manifestation of Lord Venkateswara Swamy Shines with

Lord Sri Mahavishnu left Vaikuntam and reached Venkatadri as Lord Venkateswara Swamy to protect and bless the devotees. Venkatadri is also known as Venkatachalam. It is one of the seven hills of Tirumala, considered a heavenly abode on the earth.

The sanctum sanctorum where Sri Venkateswara Swamy resides in the temple was covered by a gold-plated ‘gopuram’ called ‘Ananda Nilayam’.

Sthanakamurthy / Sthanaka Virahamurthy

In the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Venkateswara Swamy is in the divine form in the ‘Brahma Sthaana.’ The image of the Lord is over eight feet tall and is believed to be the self-manifested one. This Salagramamurthy is called ‘Sthanakamurthy’ because He is in the standing posture. He is Dhruvamurti or Dhruvaberam because His idol is stable.

The Lord is also called ‘Sthanaka Virahamurthy’ as He is the only one without His consorts.

Entamatramuna nevvaru dalachina antamatrame nivu
antarantamu lenci chuda bindanthe nippatiyannatlu
koluthuru mimu vaishnavulu kurimito visnhudani
palukuduru mimu vedantulu parabrahmambanuchu
taluturu mimu saivulu tagina bhaktulu sivudanuchu
alari pogududuru kapalikulu adi bhairavudanuchu….

—Thallapaka Annamacharya

You are that, what one perceives you as if appraised rightly, however, the dough is, so turns out the pancake! If you are Sree Venkatapathi, the Lord who accepts us, right here I surrender unto you! For me, this is the highest truth!

Standing on the Padma Peetham the Lord wears a sword called ‘Nandaka’.

The manifestation of the Lord shines with Surya Katari, Crown, Thirunamam, Vyuha Lakshmi in His bosom along with Sankhu, Chakra, Varada and Kati ‘hasthas’, Naagabharanaas, Camphor on the chin.

Netra Darshan

In Tirumala every Thursday, the main deity was divested of all ornaments, flowers etc. The deity was draped only in Dhoti and Uttareeyam. The Thirunamam and Kasturi on the forehead of the main deity were also reduced in size resulting in the unique ‘Netra Darshan‘ (where the divine eyes of the Lord can be seen).

Now, here Let us see some specialities of the Lord in a glance.

Lord Venkateswara Swamy

1. Thirunamam

Thirunamam worn on the forehead of the Lord is called ‘Urdvapundram.’ It is offered once a week after Abhishekam every Friday. It is made of 16 tulas of ‘pacchakarpuram’ (camphor) and one and a half tula of ‘kasturi’ (musk).

Before the Brahmotsavams and during the Brahmotsavas, on Fridays following the Brahmotsavams, double camphor and musk are used for ‘Thirunamam.’ Therefore, this ‘namam’ is called as ‘Rettimpunamam’ and on every Thursday this ‘namam’ is shortened and the Lord’s eyes are visible to the devotees.

2. Sankham and Chakram

The Lord appears with Sankham (conch) and Sudarshana Chakram (Discus) in both hands. They are said to have been established by Sri Ramanujacharya in his times.

3. Varada Mudra

The two hands of Lord Venkateswara are called Varada Hastha and Kati Hashta. Varada Mudra is found in the right hand of the Lord. His right palm points downwards. Varada means giving boons. This is said to be an indication that whoever takes refuge at His holy lotus’ feet is a true devotee and will be blessed.

4. Kati Hastam

Swami holds Kati Hastam (left hand). Keeping the hand near His knees, kati, symbolizes that whoever surrenders at His feet will be blessed with boons. By placing His hand on the pelvis, the Lord reminds the vital part of man and warns him not to get too much attachment towards anything.

Lord Venkateswara Swamy

5. Camphor on the Chin

The Lord’s chin is decorated with ‘pacchakarpooram’ and appears white. Earlier, a devotee named Ananthalwar reached Tirumala and developed a flower garden to serve the Lord. With the help of his wife, he used to dig the garden well. During this time the Lord appeared as a boy and tried to help in digging.

But Ananthalvar refused. But the boy continued to help Ananthalvar’s wife. Ananthalvar got angry and threw the crowbar at the boy. The boy got injured. Later the boy was identified as the Lord and ‘pacchakarpooram’ was applied to the wound on the chin.

Bhakta Ananthacharya - Anantalwar Crowbar
Bhakta Ananthacharya – Anantalwar Crowbar

6. Vakshasthala Lakshmi

Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi is on the chest of Lord Srinivasa. It appears that Goddess Lakshmi is on both sides of the Lord’s bosom, but Ammavaru is on one side of Moolavirattu’s bosom. Ammavaru is invisible due to decoration. During Abhishekam, Ammavaru appears clearly. She is smeared with turmeric powder.

Chaturvimshati Namavali Puja

It is said that Ammavaru is the main reason for ‘Abhishekam’ to the Lord on Friday. After chanting the Lord’s Sahasranama and Ashtottaranama thrice daily, the Goddess is worshipped with the 24 names from the Varaha Puranam. The name of this worship is ‘Chaturvimshati Namavali Puja’.

The grand ‘darshan’ of the Lord holding the goddess in Her bosom brings grace to both. Moreover, the Lord tells the world the real position of a wife which is very significant.

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7. Surya Katari

The sword is one of Lord Vishnu’s five weapons. It is known as Nandakam and Surya Katari. It is believed that this weapon is meant to punish the wicked and protect the righteous. Pada kavita Pithamaha Thallapaka Annamacharya emerged from the sword called Nandaka to write ‘keerthanas’ on Lord Venkateswara and condemn the sinfulness of the world. The message given by the Lord through this sword is to remove ignorance, carelessness and disregard on the part of human beings.

8. Nagabaranas

The Lord appears wearing ‘nagabharanas’ on both the lower sides of the shoulders and above the elbows. These jewels are symbolic of  Adisesha and the Lord shows His benevolence by making His followers the part of His body. Remarkably, Seshu is the first vehicle in the Brahmotsavams.

9. Silk Clothes

Every Friday after Abhishekam, a 24-mura-long and 4-mura-wide ‘dhoti’ is used for decorating Lord Venkateswara. Apart from this, a 12 mura long and two mura wide silk cloth is worn as Uttareeyam. On Thursday, these are removed and the ‘dhoti’ is decorated and the Uttariyam is put up like ‘yajnopaveetham’

Brahma Kadigina Paadamu
Brahmamu taane nee paadamu….
– Sri Thallapaka Annamacharya

The Lord stands on Padmapeetham. His lotus feet are always covered with golden sheets, wonderful flowers and ‘tulsi’ leaves. It is possible to see the Lord’s feet only on the day of ‘Abhishekam i.e, Friday. While worshipping the Lord’s feet, taking shelter and serving Him means that the devotee has given up his pride at the Lord’s feet and becomes His true devotee by his humbleness.

Sri Venkataachalaadheesham
sriyadyaasitha vakshasam
Srithachetana mandaaram
sreenivasa mahambhaje!!

 

Vyuha Lakshmi – The Most Compassionate

Goddess Mahalakshmi is Vyuha Lakshmi

Goddess Mahalakshmi is Vyuha Lakshmi and Yoga Lakshmi. Vyuha- means a secret strategy, a divine scheme, a plan or a strategy. Lakshmi Devi reaching the hridaya sthana of Lord Vishnu happened secretly, very naturally. Their divine scheme is to protect the world just as parents care for their children.

And as a typical mother Vyuha Lakshmi protects us, her children in a very caring manner, taking our side and convincing Her consort not to punish harshly for the wrongs done by us – because She is compassion personified – ‘Kaarunya Vigraha’.

“Para”, “Vyuha”, “Vibhava”, “Antharyami”, and “Archa” are the five forms of the Lord as per agama shastra. Vyuha form exists in the Vedas and the Upanishads which contain the divine scheme, the plan of the whole creation, the relation between the creator and the creation, and the relation between the creation and the beings created.

The whole scheme of binding all this is called “Vyuha”. The entire process of creation is a divine Vyuha (strategy).

The primordial couple Sri Maha Vishnu and Sri Mahalakshmi have a strong ‘Sankalpa’ to rescue the ‘Samsara’ from sins and concomitant sufferings. Their hearts respond with ‘anukampa’ – compassion arising out of empathy towards their children, their creation.

Viraha Lakshmi –> Veera Lakshmi -> Vyuha Lakshmi

When Goddess Mahalakshmi left the seven hills of Tirumala and established herself at Tiruchanur as Sri Padmavathi Devi, she- came to be known as Swatantra Veera Lakshmi as per Vaishnava tradition. It is said that She is actually “Viraha Lakshmi” (viraha meaning ‘the state of feeling the pangs of separation’) as She was away from Her Lord – but in usage seemed to have become Veera Lakshmi.

Tiruchanur - Padmavathi Ammavaru
Tiruchanur – Padmavathi Ammavaru

Then She became “Vyuha Lakshmi” as She was lovingly placed on the bosom of Her Lord. This is done as a divine scheme, a plan by the Lord to have his consort forever on his bosom – and it was done secretly, very naturally, but not openly – only the two of them knew about it – the Lord who invited Her onto His bosom and Lakshmi Devi who was eager to reside there – that is why She is called ‘Vyuha Lakshmi’.

Since She is ‘Sri’ and is residing on His bosom, He became “Srinivasa”.

Vyuha Lakshmi in Tirumala

In the temple of Tirumala, Vyuha Lakshmi is found on the right side of the bosom of the self-manifested vigraha (icon) of Lord Sri Venkateswara and She is also seen consecrated in the form of a gold image which is hung to a gold chain that adorns the Dhruva Bera of Srivaru to the right side of the chest.

She will be seated in Padmasana posture with lower right and left hands in Abhaya and Varada pose, and the upper right and left hands holding her favourite lotuses, with a compassionate smiling face or with only two hands (dvibhuja) holding lotuses in both the hands.

Vyuha Lakshmi in Tirumala

Every morning as part of nitya aradhana, after the usual Thomala Seva and Koluvu, the deity of the Lord is worshipped with ‘Kesavadi Chaturvimshati Namavali’ (24 names of the Lord) and ‘Sri Venkateswara Sahasranamavali‘, offering Tulasi leaves at the lotus feet of the Lord.

Then the worship of Vyuhalakshmi follows with the chaturvimshati namavali’, the 24 names of Vyuhalakshmi from Varaha Puranam – and the beauty of that worship is that the Tulasi (basil) leaves offered to the lotus-feet of the Lord are again offered to both the consorts of the Lord, goddess Vyuhalakshmi and goddess Padmavathi devi present auspiciously on the Lord’s bosom.

24 names of Vyuha Lakshmi

The 24 powerful sacred names of Devi Vyuha Lakshmi are –

  • Sriyai namah,
  • Lokadhaatre namah,
  • Brahmamatre namah,
  • Padmanetrayai namah,
  • Padmamukhyai namah,
  • Prasannamukha padmayai namah,
  • Padmakantanyai namah,
  • Bilva vansthaayai namah,
  • Vishnu patnyai namah,
  • Vichitra kshomadhaarinyai namah,
  • Ritushronyai namah,
  • Pakvabilva phalaapeena tungasthanayai namah,
  • Suraktapadma karapaada talayai namah,
  • Shubhayai namah,
  • Suratnaagada keyura kaancheenoopura shobhitaayai namah,
  • Yaksha kardama samlipta sarvaangaayai namah,
  • Katakojwalayai namah,
  • Mangalyaabharana Chitramuktaaahaaryai vibhushitayai namah,
  • Taatankairava tantaisya shobhamaana mukhaambujaayai namah,
  • Padmahastayai namah,
  • Harivallabhayai namah,
  • Rugyajussaamaroopaayai namah,
  • Vidyaayai namah,
  • Abdhidaayai namah,
  • Sri Mahalakshmyai namah,
  • Sri Padmavatyai namah,
  • Sreem Shriyai namah

Vakshasthala Avasthana Stabakam

Sri Varaha Puranam has a beautiful Stabakam (hymn) called “Vakshasthala avasthana Stabakam”. The entire Stabakam pays glorious honour to Vakshasthala Lakshmi in 26 slokams. It explains about the story of how Mahalakshmi reached the bosom region of the Lord, and about all her compassionate attributes.

Devotees who chant Sri Lakshmi Sahasranama follow it with this beautiful sacred Stabakam or Sthavam.

“Aum sreem aum namah, paramalakshmyai Vishnu vaksha sthitaayai, Ramaayai, aasritha taarakaayai, namo vahnijaayai Sree Vyuhalakshmyai namo namah” is one of the slokas to be chanted to be graced by Sri Vyuha Lakshmi.

SRI VYUHA LAKSHMI MANTRAM

(Srivarahapurane Venkatachala Mahatmye Srivyuhalakshmi Mantra Stotranama Ekonatrinshat Adhyayah)

Dayaalola Taragjaakshee Poornachandra Nibhanana |
Jananee Sarvalokanam Mahalakshmihi Haripriyaa ||

Sarwapaapa haraasyaiva praarabdaswapi karmanah |
Samhrutautu kshamaasyaiva sarva sampat pradaayini ||

Tasyaah Vyuha Prabhedaastu Lakshmih Kirtirjayeti Cha |
Tatra yaa vyuhalakshmih saa mugdha karunya vigraha ||

Anaayaasena Saa Lakshmihi Sarvapaapa Pranasini |
Sarvaishwarya Prada Nityam Tasyah Mantra Midam Sruna ||

Vedadimaayai Matrecha Lakshmai Nathipadam Vadeth |
Parameti padham Choktwaa Lakshmaah Iti padam Tatah ||

Vishnu vaksha sthitaayai syaatmaya sri tarikaa tatah |
Vahnijayaantha mantroya mabheeshtardha suradrumah ||

Dvibhujaa Vyuhalakshmeehi Syaat Baddhapadmasana Priyaa
Srinivasaagja Madhyasthaa Sutaraam Keshavapriyaa ||

Tameva sharanam gachha sarvabhaavena satvaram |
Sarvasampatkarim devim sarva saubhagya daayineem ||

(Iti Srivarahapurane Venkatachala Mahatmye Srivyuhalakshmi Mantra Stotranama Ekonatrinshant adhyayah Sampoornam)

– Smt. Ambika Ananth

Manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi

Manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi

One should be aware of Ashtalakshmis or the manifestations of Goddess Sri Lakshmi.Manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi - Banner

Veda Lakshmi in TretaYuga

A sage named Brahmarishi Kushadhvaja was fixated on the Vedas. He was apathetic towards the institution of marriage but enthusiastic about begetting Goddess Lakshmi. One day while pursuing the Vedas, the celestial Narthaki (dancer) Urvashi ambled past Brahmarishi Kushadhvaja.

Bewitched by her beauty, he gets distracted for a second. As a consequence, Lakshmi descends to the Earth. She was born whilst pursuing the Vedas, hence the epithet Vedavathi.

During Her formative years, being Lakshmi’s apparent incarnation, She was engrossed in Lord Vishnu’s thoughts. She performs austere penance in the Himalayas. Whilst exploring the Himalayas on Pushpaka Vimana, Ravana saw Vedavathi. She self-immolates in indignation and reaches ‘Agni Loka.’

At the time of the capture of Sita, Agni substitutes Sita with Vedavathi considering the intolerable imminent adversities. At the event of ‘agni pravesha’, Lord Agni replaces the true Sita who acknowledges and appreciates Vedavathi’s selflessness granting Her a wish as a token of gratitude.

Perpetually ambitious about Lord Narayana, Vedavathi gladly expresses Her desire to be His eternal divine consort.

Being monogamous in Treta Yuga, Lord Narayana comforts Vedavathi permitting Her desire to come to fruition in Kaliyuga instead. This narrative is documented in Kurma Purana, one of the indisputable compilations of Sri Veda Vyasa.

The Valmiki Ramayana is not exhaustive, but a comprehensive account of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. However, the remainder of the Puranas encompasses intricate details. In comforting Vedavathi, Lord Vishnu conceives an opportunity to descend to the earth in Kaliyuga.

Ever since the spirit of Vedavathi endured as Veda Lakshmi anxiously awaited the Lord’s descent. The Lord manifests as Matsya Narayana or Veda Narayana at Vedanarayana Swamy temple of Nagalapuram near Tirupati.

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Srivatsa Lakshmi (Vaikunta)

Srivatsa Lakshmi resides as a mole on the chest of Lord Vishnu. Everyone is well-acquainted with the episode of Bhrigu Maharshi paying a visit to Vaikunta to see Lord Vishnu and Sri Lakshmi who were absorbed in a sobering conversation at the time of his arrival.

Since it is the onset of Kaliyuga, Lord Vishnu advises Sri Lakshmi that it is high time to manifest on the earth. Anomalously, He suggests Lakshmi descend ahead for Him to follow His lead. Lakshmi apprehensively reminds the Lord that she customarily follows His lead in every avatar instead; subsequently, gets married and partakes in annihilating the evil.

Lord Vishnu remarks the upcoming ‘avatar’ is distinctive and does not ensure a return to Vaikunta upon conclusion, unlike the earlier ones. With negative personality traits being an inherent attribute in everyone, it is futile to seek change. It would be pragmatic to change their thought patterns and safeguard the staunch devotees from evil instead.

Persistent about goddess Lakshmi’s descent, the Lord takes the honorific ‘Srinivasa’ as an explicit homage to Sri Lakshmi. With Lakshmi being perturbed over the forthcoming separation, the Lord suggests Her to take solace from the fact that He shall descend as a mere mortal and invigorate His supremacy once they reunite.

Bhrigu Maharshi arrives at that instant and eventually hurts Lord Vishnu. Bhrigu was comforted by the Lord, which enrages Sri Lakshmi. She determines to leave Vaikunta and descends to the earth in resentment. Bhrigu Maharshi’s episode is merely a divine interlude.

As Bhrigu was impertinent towards Lord Vishnu out of ‘tamo guna,’ Sri Lakshmi vows She shall return to Vaikunta in Her ‘shuddha sattva’ form alone.

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Mahalakshmi (Kolhapur)

Goddess Sri Lakshmi went to Kapilaranya i.e. Kapila Maharshi’s hermitage. One can perceive Her presence in Kolhapur with the spiritual powers of the ancient sages. As Sri Lakshmi performed acute penance, Agastya and the other sages sought her refuge.

Mahalakshmi (Kolhapur)

Sati Devi’s eyes fell on Padmavatipuram as she self-immolated during Daksha Yagna. Once, Lord Brahma created three ‘manasaputras.’ They were Gaya, Lavana, and Kolha who regrettably turned unrighteous. Gayasura and Lavanasura were eliminated by Lord Vishnu, but Kolhasura wreaked havoc in Padmavatipuram under his reign.

Kolhapur - Sri Mahalakshmi Temple

Kolhasura, along with his son Karavira, dissuaded Agastya and the other sages from their divine austerities. As Agastya and the sages sought Sri Lakshmi to extinguish them. Since her imminent return, Sri Lakshmi slaughtered them. As a dying wish, Kolhasura and Karavira entreat Sri Lakshmi to name their province after them.

Hence the eponymous Kolhapur! Sri Lakshmi obliges and manifests as Maha Lakshmi to safeguard Her devotees.

The third manifestation since Veda Lakshmi and Srivatsa Lakshmi. The divine architect Vishwakarma replicated Manidweepa (the abode of Shakthi) for Kolhapur Maha Lakshmi. Vaikunta being desolate since Lakshmi’s departure, the Lord expeditiously descended to the Earth.

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Swatantra Veera Lakshmi in Tiruchanur

Meanwhile, in Treta Yuga Veda Lakshmi’s spirit prevailing on the earth was discovered as Padmavathi Devi by Akasha Raja. She was discovered in a lotus while ploughing the earth. Hence the epithet Padmavathi. The union of Lord Venkateswara with Goddess Padmavathi is a widely-known narrative.

Since Maha Lakshmi manifested in Kolhapur, Lord Venkateswara had to borrow money from Lord Kubera as goddess Padmavathi is goddess Lakshmi’s partial incarnation. Her absolute incarnation manifested in Kolhapur, The Lord felt inadequate without His eternal divine companion.

Honouring Padmavathi, the Lord suggests Her remain at Vakula Mata’s hermitage while He goes in quest of Sri Lakshmi. As the Lord reached Kolhapur, all deities were discernable except Sri Lakshmi despite Her manifestation.

The distraught Lord bathes in Padma Kund, Panchaganga and Rudraprayaga which is an undiscovered sanctified confluence, to pacify His eternal consort. Ensuing ten years of vain penance, ‘akashvani’ apprises the Lord that goddess Lakshmi manifested in Her unsympathetic (rajo guna) form to eradicate the nefarious.

Hence, the mace, ‘paana paatra’ and lion. Goddess Lakshmi shall be apparent merely in Her purest form. ‘You visit Shuka Maharshi’s hermitage, excavate a pond, and plant lotuses from Deva Loka and ensure those lotuses do not wilt for about twelve years whilst meditating on Sri Lakshmi.

Swatantra Veera Lakshmi in Tiruchanur

Subsequently, She shall emerge on Karthika Panchami in Her ‘shuddha Sattvika’ form and reach You’. The Lord acts per the divine voice and visits Suka Maharshi’s hermitage. Every Durgashtami, temple honours are sent to Kolhapur from Tirumala, in keeping with the long-established tradition since her manifestation. Eventually, the Lord visits Sri Shukapuram i.e. the present Tiruchanur.

Distressed by the Lord’s abandonment, Sri Padmavathi was prescribed severe penance on Venkatachalam by Vakula Matha to expedite His return. With the Lord at Shuka Maharshi’s hermitage, Sri Padmavathi at Venkatachalam, and goddess Maha Lakshmi in Kolhapur, when do they unite? When the Lord arrives at Suka Maharshi’s hermitage, He excavates a divine pond. Vayu Deva was entrusted to equip the excavated pond with the majestic golden lotuses from Deva Loka.

To prevent the lotuses from wilting, the Lord directs the Sun to remain in Kolhapur for twelve years. Reflecting upon Sri Lakshmi’s ‘shuddha sattva’ form, the Lord recites the Maha Lakshmi Moola Mantra meditating on the heart of lotus for twelve years. Reaching Padmasarovaram, the Gods and sages intensified their prayers pleading with Sri Lakshmi to return to the Lord.

Panchami Theertham

With the advent of Panchami of Karthika month in the twelfth year, while the Lord was immersed in deep penance. Brighu Maharshi earnestly apologised for his impertinence urging Maha Lakshmi to be His descendant offering to perform fervent penance.

The golden lotus at the core of Padmasarovaram unfurled revealing a pacified Maha Lakshmi on Karthika Shukla Panchami in Her serene form. Be-jewelled, illuminating, and adorned in white while the majestic elephants showered Her with the sacred Akasha Ganga.

Maha Lakshmi manifested as a sixteen-year-old maiden. Subsequently, the Lord opens His eyes as the deities showered flowers from Heaven. The Lord embraced Goddess Maha Lakshmi and adorned Her with His garland.

With Maha Lakshmi’s absence from Vaikunta, the gods and sages were ecstatic over the Lord’s demonstrativeness. Consequently, they began a soul-stirring recital of Sri Lakshmi Hrudaya Stotra earnestly pleading with Sri Lakshmi to never abandon Vaikunta.

Since Maha Lakshmi’s illustrious emergence in Padmasarovaram, Shuka Maharshi and the gods plead with Her to manifest. She graciously obliges and manifests as Sarva Swatantra Veera Lakshmi in Tiruchanur. At Tiruchanur, all rituals are wholly devoted to the goddess regardless of the Lord’s idol being consecrated later.

So the deity at Tiruchanur is ‘shuddha sattva’ Lakshmi flanked by lotuses She emerged as seated in a golden lotus, hence the epithet Alarmelu Manga. Padmam (lotus) being Sri Lakshmi’s abode, She is hence mellifluously referred to as Padmavathi Devi.

Tiruchanur’s Padmavathi Devi is not Akasha Raja’s daughter, but Sri Lakshmi’s partial incarnation Padmavathi Devi instead. The goddess emerged in a golden lotus in Padmasarovaram, the modern day pillared hall in the temple tank, excavated by the Lord Himself.

Panchami Theertham - Tiruchanur (2)

One dip in the holy ‘pushkarini’ will dissipate one’s worries. Every Karthika Panchami, to commemorate the occasion of Her emergence, Lord Venkateswara accords temple honours to His divine consort.

Vyuha Lakshmi

Despite being Sarva Swatantra Veera Lakshmi, to remain inseparable, She also manifests as Vyuha Lakshmi in ‘shuddha sattva’ form on the Lord’s chest. Vyuha Lakshmi apprises the Lord that she shall eternally remain on His chest to be able to convey the devotees’ pleas ahead.

The consecration and worship of Vyuha-Lakshmi are meant to secure unbounded and eternal prosperity. In the daily worship of the Hill-God, after the Venkatesa Sahasranama Archana in the morning, this Vyuha-Lakshmi on the Lord’s chest is also worshipped reciting sixteen names of Sri Lakshmi (shodasha-nama) with the offering of Tulasi leaves after each name and also Goddess Padmavathi on the left chest is worshipped at the same time.

This image is specially worshipped during the main deity’s ceremonial bath on Fridays, as also during Makara- Sankranthi, when this Sri Lakshmi on the right chest of the Lord receives a bath with perfumed water.

Dhruva Beram - Tirupati Balaji

Lord Venkateswara’s idol has a ‘Srivatsam’ mark on His right chest, which is a permanent part of the idol. It can be seen embossed, but only on Thursdays when the jewels are removed completely, except the Melchat Vastram and on Fridays, during Abhishekam and Nijapada Darshanam. The ‘darshan’ of Vakshasthala Lakshmi can be seen if one comes very near to Kulasekhara Padi and even from there also, one can only assume Her shape.

Only ‘archakas’ can see the image of Vakshasthala Lakshmi on the Lord’s divine chest. This Lakshmi is called Dvi-bhuja-Vyuha-Lakshmi in Vaikhanasa Samhithas. The presence of Lakshmi on the body of the Lord is responsible for the name Sri-Nivasa (the abode of Lakshmi) for Him. This image of Lakshmi is in the Agamas prescribed to be twoarmed and seated in the lotus posture. This form is called Vyuha-Lakshmi.

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Bhootha Karunya Lakshmi

Along with Vyuha Lakshmi, the Lord departs for Tirumala to reunite with Goddess Padmavathi who wept uncontrollably upon reconciliation. Lord Venkateswara consoles Her and apprises of Her illustrious previous births.

To quell the separation from the Lord further, She manifests as Bhootha Karunya Lakshmi, unifying with Vyuha Lakshmi, the fifth and sixth manifestations of Ashta Lakshmi. Lord Venkateswara equally embraces His divine consorts Lakshmi and Padmavathi and bears them on His chest. The revered embodiment of Vyuha Lakshmi and Bhootha Karunya Lakshmi gets Srivari Abhishekam duly observed every Friday.

Except Tirumala, the Lord is customarily accompanied by His divine consorts in any Vaishnava temple. One can visit Tiruchanur to offer prayers to Goddess Maha Lakshmi. The Lord married Padmavathi Devi in Narayanavanam. In the southwest corner of the temple Goddess Padmavathi manifests as a radiant new bride and sets out only during the festivities and processions.

This is the contemporaneous exhaustive saga of the sublime Alarmelu Manga, Padmavathi, and Sri Lakshmi.