Padmavathi

Padmavathi
Other names	Alamelu Manga
Affiliation	Lakshmi, Bhumi
Animals	Elephant
Mount	Pink Lotus
Parents	Akasha Raja, Dharani Devi
Consort	Venkateswara

Padmavati Temple, Tiruchanur

Padmavathi Telugu: పద్మావతి, Sanskrit: पद्मावती) (often spelled Padmavati or Padmavathy) also known as Alamelu Manga is a Hindu goddess and the consort of the god Venkateswara - a form of Vishnu. She is described as a daughter of local king and an avatar of goddesses Lakshmi and Bhumi, the consorts of Vishnu. The name Padmavati is Sanskrit for "she who emerged from lotus".

The most prominent shrine of Padmavati is Padmavati Ammavari Temple situated at Tiruchanur, a suburb of Tirupati City. Tradition dictates that every pilgrim to Tirupati must offer obeisance at this temple before visiting the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, the central temple of her consort.

Etymology

Padmavathi is a Sanskrit name which means "she who emerged from lotus". She is also referred to as Alamelumanga in Telugu and Alarmelmangai in Tamil which translates conjoint of the words Alar (lotus) and Mel (aloft or up); Mangai means "lady".

Legend

Main article: Legend of Tirumala

Legends say that when the sage Bhrigu travelled the three worlds in search of the supreme God, he became furious when Brahma and Shiva were ignorant. He finally reached Vaikuntha and met Vishnu. Vishnu was smiling and meditating in a reclined posture and his consort Lakshmi was serving Him. A furious Bhrigu kicked Vishnu's chest (the abode of Lakshmi) and made Lakshmi angry. But a calm Vishnu asked for forgiveness to Bhrigu and served Bhrigu by massaging his legs, and destroyed the eye in Bhrigu's leg, the root of the sage's ego.

This disappointed Lakshmi. So, she left Vaikuntha and stayed at Kolhapur (Sri Mahalaxmi Ambabai Temple at Kolhapur). Meanwhile Vishnu arrived at Tirumala Hills as Venkateswara and meditated upon Lakshmi. Lakshmi meanwhile incarnated as Padmavati, the daughter of King Akasha Raja. Venkateswara, when tried to save Padmavati from a fierce Elephant, fell in love with Padmavati and requested a loan from the god Kubera, promising to repay it by the end of Kaliyuga. Venkateswara married Padmavati. Venkateswara then took the form of a Vigraha (Stone Statue) at Tirumala and Padmavati at Tiruchanur (Alamelu Mangapuram).

Particular devotions

Padmavathi is a major deity in Hinduism worshipped as an aspect of the goddess Lakshmi and her form, Bhumi. It is believed that her intercession is indispensable to gaining the favour of the lord, it is also believed that Lakshmi is co-omnipresent, co-illimitable and the co-bestower of moksham along with Vishnu. Nammalwar in his Thiruvaymozhi says agalakillEn iRaiyum enRu * alarmEl mangkai uRai mArbA! which translates as "Goddess Lakshmi will not away from your (venkateswara) heart, always stay with you (him)."

Poet Annamacharya was a staunch devotee of Padmavathi. Most of his keertanas are either inspired by or center around the deity. Many of the most famous and popular Kritis of Annamacharya personify her benevolence and grace.

See also

• Padmavathi Temple, Tiruchanur
• Tiruchanur
• Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, a university named after Padmavati

External links

• The Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanam website
• Sri Venkatdhvari Kavi's Sri Lakshmi Saharam Praising Alarmelmanga Thayar