Hindu Mythology: Story of Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavati
Story of Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavati – Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, luxury, fortune, and power. She is described as restless, whimsical yet maternal, with her arms raised to bless and to grant. Lakshmi is the wife of Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hindus. Lakshmi is also an important deity in Jainism and Buddhism.
Story of Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavati
Once Sage Bhrigu kicked Lord Vishnu on the chest but Lord Vishnu massaged rishi’s foot and asked if his foot was injured kicking his hard chest. Lakshmi finds this very disrespectful and asked Vishnu to punish Sage Bhrigu but Vishnu praised him and consoled Lakshmi. She finds this humiliating and decided to leave Lord Vishnu. Get the detailed account of legend of Sri Venkateswara Temple or Tirupati Balaji.
After the separation from Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi reached Gollapuram for self-punishment. She had the feeling of indignity that she will not return back to Lord Vishnu. Due to the absence of Lakshmi, the world started to sink in the dark. So, to save the world from darkness, Sage Narada met Lakshmi and spoke to her about the events that followed after the Lord’s departure from Vaikuntha to Venkata. Narada asked her that did she really deserve to suffer in the forest leaving the beautiful Vaikuntha. And for how long will she continue her penance in the forests like an ascetic. She said, “My husband, Vishnu did nothing to console me. He could curse Bhrigu Maharishi and save my honor. But he praised him and consoled me. She refused to go back to Vaikuntha and said until Lord himself comes and sets right her indignity she will not go back.
Story of Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavati
After listening to her, Narada smiled and said, “O Devi, I deeply sympathize with you after hearing your words. Your Lord has no inconvenience. He is living his life well. He has remarried and is happily spending his time with his consort. Only you are living a pitiful life here.” As soon as Lakshmi got to know about Vishnu’s second marriage, she wept and fell into deeper sorrow because she was expecting that Vishnu will come and take her with him. But contrary to her expectations, the Lord had seemed to have totally deserted her. She thought that now she will never be able to meet him. Later she turned to Narada and asked him, “Are you playing a joke with me? Or the story you narrated is true?” Sri Narada said that this is not the time to crack jokes and whatever he is saying is true. Lakshmi requested Narada to take her to the Venkata hills and both of them proceeded immediately.
Story of Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavati
On the way, Goddess Lakshmi enquired about the new wife of Vishnu and her ancestry. But Narada replied, “You are meeting her personally, you can ask everything to her. Lord Vishnu should answer you first than the third person”. As soon as she reached Venkata hills, she met Vishnu and asked him angrily, “O Lord, is this your affection towards me? When I am suffering in the forests, how could you even think of marrying another woman? Did you ever come to the forest where I had been performing penance propitiating you? Lord Vishnu asked her to listen to him. He convinced Lakshmi to listen to his truth and said, “When I was born as Rama, you were my wife, Sita in that incarnation. To fulfill the wish of my father, we went into the forests with my brother Lakshmana. At that time, Ravana cleverly requested you to come out crossing the line of protection. In order to save your life, the Lord of Fire, Agni, took you inside the earth and brought out Vedavathy from underneath. After fighting with Ravana, we returned to our place. When I asked Agni about two Sitas, Agni Dev explained to me that it was Vedavathy who was in the captivation of Ravana and Sita was underneath. Agni Dev asked me to accept both, and when I asked you about her you suggested me to accept her. As I was already married to you as Sita, I could not marry another woman. So I promised Vedavathy to marry her in the Kalyuga. The girl I married now is Vedavathy who was reborn as Padmavati. Goddess Lakshmi realized that Vishnu was not wrong and became happier as before. Then he spoke to Lakshmi Devi again, “To marry Padmavati I have borrowed from Kubera and I have to clear this debt. Therefore, you have to do a favor for me and enrich the wealth of my devotees in this age of darkness. The Lord asked Lakshmi to abide by his heart. Sri Lakshmi Devi minified her stature and joined Lord Vishnu in his heart.
Story of Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavati
Must read: Dashavatars of Vishnu – Rama and Krishna Avatars of Lord Vishnu
Do read: The Legend of Varaha Avatar of Vishnu
Must read: All about Sri Venkateswara Temple or Tirupati Balaji
For more articles like, ‘Story of Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavati’, do Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.