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AGNI REPLACING SITA BY VEDAVATI
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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.
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AGNI TAKING TO HIS HOUSE
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Ravana took Vedavati to Lanka thinking she was the real Sita, while Agni took Sita to his house and asked his wife Swahadevi to look after her.
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FIRE GOD OFFERING REAL SITA TO RAMA
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After the destruction of Ravana, Vedavati entered the fire when rejected by Rama. Then, Agni, offered the real Sita to Rama. Rama then questioned her as to who the other lady by her side was.
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LORD RAMA PROMISING VEDAVATI
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Sita informed Rama that the lady was Vedavati who endured Ravana's torture for ten months in Lanka for her sake. Sita requested Rama to accept Vedavati also as his spouse. But Rama declined her request saying that he believed in having only one wife during his life time. However, He promised to wed her in her next birth as Padmavati, born as the daughter of Akasa Raja, when Rama himself would take the form of Srinivasa.
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VAKULADEVI WITH MAIDENS OF PADMAVATI
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After listening to Srinivasa's story of how he had promised to marry Vedavati in her next birth as Padmavati, Vakuladevi realised that Srinivasa would not be happy unless he married Padmavati. She offered to go to Akasa Raja and his Queen and arrange for the marriage. On the way she met the maid-servants of Padmavati returning from a Siva Temple. She learnt from them that Padmavati was also longing for Srinivasa. Vakuladevi went along with the maidservants to the Queen.
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AKHASARAJA CONSULTING BRIHASPATI
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Meanwhile, Akasha Raja and his queen Dharanidevi were anxious about the health of their daughter, Padmavathi. They learnt about Padmavathi's love for Srinivasa of Venkata Hill. Akasha Raja consulted Brihaspati about the propriety of the marriage and was informed that the marriage was in the best interest of both the parties.
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SRINIVASA AS FORTUNE TELLER
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After the departure of Vakuladevi, Srinivasa could not rest in peace. He doubted if she would succeed in her mission. He, therefore, assumed the form of a lady fortune-teller and entered the streets of the capital telling fortunes. Padmavathi's maids saw her and invited her to the presence of their Queen.
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MAID SERVANTS INFORMING TO QUEEN
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The maid-servants informed Queen Dharanidevi that the fortune-teller was hesitating to enter the palace without the Queen's invitation.
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QUEEN INVITING THE FORTUNE TELLER
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The Queen came out herself and invited the fortune-teller into the palace.The fortune- teller was taken to the presence of Princess Padmavati. |
The fortune-teller read the palm of the Princess and told the Queen about the cause of Padmavati's indisposition. She advised the Queen to give Padmavati in marriage to Lord Srinivasa. She also told the Queen that a lady would approach her shortly on behalf of Lord Srinivasa, to formally request Padmavati's hand in marriage.
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VAKULADEVI WITH THE QUEEN
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After the departure of the fortune-teller, Vakuladevi arrived at the palace, and was taken by the maidservants to the Queen. She informed the Queen that she had come on behalf Lord Srinivasa to request the hand of Padmavati in marriage.
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AKSHARAJA FIXING MUHURTHAM FOR WEDDING
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Having consulted Brihaspati and heard from his Queen about the prediction of the fortune-teller and the arrival of the messenger from Srinivasa, Akasha Raja decided to hand his daughter in marriage to Srinivasa. He asked the palace purohits to fix a muhurtam for the marriage. |
Akasha Raja informed his ministers and other officials of his plans. Immediately, a letter was drafted requesting Srinivasa to come and marry the Princess.
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SUKA PRESENTING PATRIKA TO SRINIVASA
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Akasha Raja entrusted the delivery of the letter to Sukamahamunin. Suka went to the Venkata Hill with Vakuladevi. He presented the invitation (patrika) to Lord Srinivasa, who was very happy. The Lord sent his garland for Padmavati through Suka.
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EVERYONE PRESENT FOR THE MARRIAGE
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All devars, Bramha, Shiva and their spouse invited for marriage.
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KUBERA LENDING MONEY TO LORD SRINIVASA
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Kubera lent money to Lord Srinivasa to meet the expenses of the marriage.
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LORD SRINIVASA BEING RECEIVED BY AKSHARAJA
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Lord Srinivasa, along with his consorts and Lord Brahma and Lord Siva started the journey to the residence of Akasa Raja with his vehicle Garuda.
At the palace entrance, Lord Srinivasa was received by Akasha Raja with full honours and taken in procession on a mounted elephant to the palace for the marriage.
In the presence of all the Devas, Lord Srinivasa wed Princess Padmavati, thus blessing Akasha Raja. |
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