HINDU TEMPLE  OF KENTUCKY

However, Narayana's wife Lakshmi was dissatisfied. "The sage kicked at the chest in which I reside! It means dishonoring me. Without punishing him my husband comforts him!" So thinking, she became angry. I cannot reside in this chest any more, she decided, and in disgust went to Kolhapur and settled. Even now the temple of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur is famous.

As Lakshmi left, Vishnu became sad. He went from Vaikuntha to Tirupati and settled in Venkatadri under the name of Venkatesha.Akasharaja, the king of Chola country, had no children. His teacher told him toperform a religious function to get children.

The king agreed to it and he himself was ploughing the earth to level the ground. When the plough split the ground, a lotus with many petals came into view. A female child was lying in it. A voice was heard from heaven saying, "0 King, this girl is very fortunate. Bring her up considering her as your daughter." With pleasure the king gave the child to his queen Dharanidevi. The child was named 'Padmavati'. She was brought up with great affection. She grew up into a woman bright as the moon in the first phase of the month.

One day when Padmavati was enjoying herself in the garden with her friends, Narada came there. Looking at Padmavati he said, "0 Mother, I know who you are. You are truly Lakshmi. As you could not bear the separation from Vishnu, you have been born thus and come here. He, in the form of Venkatesha, is suffering due to separation from you and living there.Within a few days you two will be married," and went away.

Padmavati was attracted by Venkatesha one day when she was amusing herself in the garden. Venkatesha came there and saw her. They became acquainted and love grew between them.When Akasharaja came to know of this, he gladly agreed to their marriage. As desired by Vekatesha, Brahma and other gods attended the wedding. The marriage was celebrated magnificently.

Because 'Sri' (Lakshmi) permanently settled down in Tirupati on Venkatesha's chest, he got the name 'Srinivasa.'

Thus there are numerous stories about Lakshmi. Lakshmi has been worshipped by our ancestors as the goddess of wealth. By worshipping her our brilliance, liveliness and wealth increase.

0 lotus-seated Goddess!

Shining in the midst of lotus flowers,

Delighted in lotus flowers! Having eyes wide and beautiful like lotus petals,

Beloved of the entire universe, favorable to every mind,

May you place those lotus feet of yours on me!