Padmavati (Hinduism)
Hindu goddess
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Padmavati (Sanskrit: पद्मावती, lit. 'she of the lotus'), also known as Alamelu Manga (Telugu: అలమేలు మంగ, lit. 'Goddess at top of Lotus')[1] or Alarmel Mangai [2][3][4] is a Hindu goddess and the consort of the deity Venkateshwara, a form of Vishnu. She is described as the adopted daughter of a local king and an avatar of goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu.[2][5]
| Padmavati | |
|---|---|
Image of Padmavati | |
| Other names |
|
| Venerated in | Sri Vaishnavism |
| Affiliation | Avatar of Lakshmi |
| Symbol | Golden Lotus |
| Mount | Elephant |
| Temple | Padmavati Temple, Tiruchanur |
| Parents | Akasha Raja, Dharani Devi |
| Consort | Venkateshvara |
The most prominent shrine of Padmavati is Padmavati Ammavari Temple situated at Tiruchanur, a suburb of Tirupati. Tradition dictates that every pilgrim to Tirupati must offer obeisance at this temple before visiting the Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala, the central temple of her consort.
Etymology and other names
Padmavati literally means the one who is residing on a lotus. In Sanskrit, the word consists of two parts- Padma or Lotus and Vati or Possession or Resemblance. She is also referred to as Alamelu Manga, which derives the same translation as Padmavati.
The name Alamelu Manga has derived roots from the Tamil words- lar (lotus), Mel (up/on), and Mangai (lady/woman). She is referred to as Thayar or Mother in Tamil and Amma in Telugu, as a form of respect and devotion. In the Padma Purana, it is mentioned that Padmavati is an incarnation of Goddess Mahalakshmi. It also mentions the advent of the Goddess and her subsequent marriage with Lord Venkateswara.[6] She is also known as Sridevi, which literally translates to Goddess of Prosperity. She is also mentioned in the Varaha and Bhavishyottara Puranas. [7]
In Jainism, Goddess Padmavati is a highly revered Yakshi (guardian deity) and the protective, devoted attendant to the 23rd Tirthankara, Lord Parshvanatha. In such traditions, she is the goddess of wealth and has the power to cure snakebites.[8]
Legend
Bhrigu's insult
According to the legend, Narada once observed a few rishis performing a holy yagna. Unable to decide who the yagna should benefit, he recruited sage Bhrigu to decide by meeting with each of the Trimurti in their abodes. With Brahma and Shiva both failed to notice Bhrigu, hence Brahma were cursed to not be worshipped at all and Shiva- be worshipped only as a lingam. Finally, Bhrigu entered Vaikunta where Vishnu pretended not to notice Bhrigu. Angered by this, Bhrigu kicked Vishnu on his chest (Vakshasthala). But a calm Vishnu asked for forgiveness of Bhrigu, and served the sage by massaging his legs. During this act, he crushed the extra eye that was present on the sole of Bhrigu's foot, which destroyed the sage's egotism. [9]
However, Lakshmi had considered the act a grieve insult as she was the permanent resident Vishnu's heart. She left Vaikunta and reached Kolhapur. Vishnu, took the form of Srinivasa and performed a penance for twelve years.
Birth
Srinivasa's penance bore fruit as in the kingdom of Narayanavanam, King Akasharaja and Queen Dharani Devi who remained childless for years had discovered a golden lotus in the middle of a pond whilst the performance of a ritual. From this thousand- petaled lotus emerged an infant-girl eminent with divine grace and utmost beauty. The royal couple adopted her and named her Padmavati. [10]
Padmavati was raised to be a princess with unmatched beauty and intelligence. [11]
Marriage to Srinivasa
One day, while she was spending her time in a garden picking flowers with her maids, Sage Narada approached her. Assuring her that he was her well-wisher, he asked her to show him her palm to read her future. He foretold that she was destined to be the spouse of Lord Vishnu himself. At this time, Lord Srinivasa, who was hunting, chased a wild elephant in the forests surrounding the hills. In the elephant's pursuit, the Lord was led into a garden, where Princess Padmavati and her maids were picking flowers. She immediately fell in love and so did Srinivasa with her. She was unable to remove him from her mind. Srinivasa, lovesick had informed about this to his foster mother Vakula Devi. She travelled from her hermitage to approach Akasha Raja with her proposal of marriage between Srinivasa and Padmavathi. Unable to diagnose the cause of her sickness, the maids invited the fortune-teller into the palace to foretell the future of the princess. When the fortune-teller revealed that Padmavathi was born to marry Vishnu in his current avatar as Srinivasa, she recovered. As the king heard this news, Vakula announced herself to the king and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage to her son, Srinivasa. The overjoyed king agreed and his advisor Brihaspati wrote the invitation for the wedding between the two deities.
In her previous birth, Lakshmi, in the form of Vedavati, was staying in an ashram in the forests. At that time, Ravana, the lord of Lanka tried to tempt her. In anger, Vedavati cursed him saying that she would bring about his death. To show how true her words were, Vedavati walked into the fire, but Agni, the Fire God rescued her. He took Vedavati to his house and entrusted her to his wife's care. When Ravana was about to carry away Sita from Panchavati, in the absence of Rama and Lakshmana, Agni appeared and offered Vedavati to Ravana as the real Sita who was kept with him by Rama to evade Ravana. Ravana was tricked into thinking that Vedavati was the real Sita.[12]
Srinivasa asked the gods for consent to his marriage with Padmavathi. The deity also obtained a large loan from Kubera, the god of wealth, towards the expenses for the wedding as well as provide proof of his wealth. According to legends, Venkateswara married Padmavathi at Kalyana Venkateswara Temple, Narayanavanam, after which they moved to Tirumala.
Residence at Alamelumangapuram
About six months after the celestial wedding, Brahma and Shiva explained to Lakshmi her consort Vishnu's desire to be on the seven hills for the emancipation of mankind from the perpetual troubles of Kali Yuga. Lakshmi as well as her form as Padmavathi also turn into stone idols as an expression of their wish to always be with their deity. Lakshmi stays with him on the left side of his chest while Padmavathi rests on the right side of his chest. [13]
Padmavati took up residence at Alamelumangapuram or Tiruchanur, located down the Tirumala Hill. She did so to fulfill her individual duty as a compassionate mother to her devotees and fulfill their wishes by conveying them to Lord Venkateswara.
Iconography
Due to her synonymity with Goddess Lakshmi, Padmavati Devi is with equanimity, considered the Goddess of Wealth, Prosperity, Abundance, Fertility and Beauty. The main symbol of the Goddess is a Lotus, which is also present in her name. The main deity of the Tiruchanur temple is seated in a Padmasana (seated in a lotus) position. Her lower hands depict the abhayamudra (gesture of fearlessness) and varadamudra (gesture of granting boons) [14] positions while her upper two hands hold two individual lotuses. She is typically depicted wearing resplendent red or gold clothing and ornate jewelry, highlighting auspiciousness and divine royalty.
In Sri Vaishnavism, particularly for the Tenkalai sect, she is revered as the ultimate mother figure. Devotees believe that her grace and intercession are necessary to gain the Lord's favor and attain Moksha (liberation). [15]
Worship and Festivals
Padmavati Devi is the presiding deity of the Tiruchanur temple and worship is centered on her grace. The temple strictly follows Pancharatra Agama traditions. Worship is based upon Padmavati not only as a divine consort to Venkateswara, but also a compassionate mother. It is considered essential to visit this temple to complete the pilgrimage to Tirumala. [16]
Previously, Annual Brahmotsavams of both Lord Venkateswara and Padmavati used to happen around this temple, but was later shifted to Tirumala's Mada streets in the 12th Century by Ramanuja.
Daily Worship
In order, the daily rituals performed at Tiruchanur include Suprabhatam, Archana, Kumkumarchana, Kalyanotsavam, Unjal Seva (Dolotsavam), Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva and Ekanta Seva. The weekly sevas include the Ashta Dala Pada Padmaradhana (Monday), Thiruppavada (Thursday), Abhishekam & Vastralankaraman (Friday) and Pushpanjali Seva (Saturday). [17]
Kumkumarchana
Kumkumarchana is a ritual special to Tiruchanur where Kumkuma or vermilion is offered to the Goddess while the Lakshmi Ashtottara and Sahasranama are chanted. On a daily basis, it done for individuals or families. This is mainly done by women for blessings for marriage, children and career as well.
On special occasions such as the start of the Annual Brahmotsavams, the Laksha Kumkumarchana is performed where Kumkuma is offered to the Goddess while her divine names are chanted over 1,00,000 times. [18] [19]
Kalyanotsavam
The Kalyanotsavam is the divine union of Goddess Padmavati Devi and a smaller-size idol or the Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy. It starts with the Panchamurti Puja, followed by the Homam. It is followed by the lifting of the Tera (Veil) separating the deities after which garlands are exchanged. The auspicious Mangalya Dharana (Tying of the Mangala Sutram) takes place followed by Talambralu (showers of Turmeric coated rice). The ceremony ends with Harathi and Asirvachanam to pilgrims. [20]
Festivals
Karthika Brahmotsavams
It is a 9-day annual Festival held during the Karthika month (November-December). It starts with the Ankurarpanam or Seed Sowing and Dhwajarohanam or the hoisting of the flag at the Dhwajasthambam of the temple.[21] The Utsava Padmavati Murthi, beautifully dressed and richly ornamented is taken around the four streets of the temple in different Vahanas on each day. [22]
Panchami Teertham
On the 10th day of the Annual Brahmotsavams, Panchami Teertham starts with processions of royal elephants carryings loads of rich gifts of sarees, Kumkuma, jewelry, Pasupu (Turmeric) etc. as a gift from Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala to his wife. This is also known as Saare. This is followed by the holy Sudarshana Chakrattalwar and the idol of Goddess Padmavathi are given a celestial bath (Snapana Tirumanjanam) in the Pushkarni tank. This event celebrates the birth of Goddess Padmavati. Following which, lakhs of devotees take a holpy dip to obtain the grace of the Goddess. [23] [24]
Varalakshmi Vratham
On this auspicious day, Padmavati Devi is worshipped in eight different forms. It starts with the Sankalpa of participating families, followed by offerings and puja to the Goddess. Then the Utsava Padmavati murthy is taken out on the Swarnaratha (Golden Chariot) for procession around the temple. [25]
Navratri
The Navratri festival is celebrated over a period of 9 days which is kickstarted with the Snapana Tirumanjam or the sacred Abhishekam or the Padmavati utsava murthy. Every evening for the next few days, the daily seva is converted into a large-scale, grand ceremony where the Goddess is placed on a swing and worshipped. On the final day or Vijayadashami, the utsava murthy is taken on the Gajavahanam (Elephant vehicle) outside the temple premises. [26]
Hymns
Padmavathi is a major deity in Hinduism worshipped as an aspect of the goddess Lakshmi and her second aspect, Bhumi.[2] It is believed that her intercession is indispensable to gaining the favour of the lord, it is also believed that Lakshmi is omnipresent, illimitable, and the bestower of moksham along with Vishnu in Sri Vaishnavism.
The Padmavati Ashtottara Shatanamavali consists of 108 names of the Goddess. This is mainly chancted during Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana and daily Kumkumarchana sevas. [27] The Lakshmi Sahasranama is chanted during General Archana at Tiruchanur when flowers and Tulasi leaves are offered to the Goddess.
Tallapaka Annamacharya was a well-known Telugu poet who wrote a total of 32,000 compositions in praise of Lord Venkateswara and Alamelu Manga. He portrayed her as the supreme divine consort, the embodiment of compassion, and the playful, enchanting enchantress to Lord Venkateswara. He was a major proponent of Sringara (Romance) and Madhura (Melody) compositions. [28] His main compositions dedicated to the Goddess include Ksheerabdi Kanyakaku, Vacchenu Alamelumanga, Meruguvantidi, Chakkani Talliki Changubhala, Emani Poguduthume etc. [29]
See also
- Padmavathi Temple, Tiruchanur
- Tiruchanur
- Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, a university named after Padmavati
- Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur
- Ammavaru