neha sargam appreciation thread part 2 - Page 28

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Sita
Vedavati was later born as a daughter of king Janaka. King Janaka named her Sita. At that time Dasharatha was ruling over Ayodhya. To his wife Kausalya, Vishnu was born and became famous as Sri Rama. He came with sage Vishwamitra to Janaka's capital and broke the bow given by Shiva. Then King Janaka, having admired Sri Rama's valor, gave Sita in marriage to Sri Rama. When sometime passed, Sri Rama, as desired by his father, had to go to Dandakaranya with Sita and Lakshmana. While living there, Ravana deceitfully took Sita to Lanka. Sri Rama went to Lanka with Sugreeva, Hanumanta and other monkey warriors and invaded Lanka. In the terrible war that followed, Sri Rama killed Ravana. Thereafter, Sita came to Ayodhya with Sri Rama and lived a happy life. This story is told in great detail in the Ramayana.

Tulasi
On the other side, Lakshmi was born to Dharmadhwaja's wife Madhavi. Her parents named her Tulasi. The child was very beautiful. She grew up to be virtuous. Later she married Vishnu. Vishnu told her: "You leave this body and stay with me. Let your body become a river by name Gandaki. I will became a Saligrama stone and will reside in Gandaki River. Let your hair grow into a plant, become famous as Tulasi and be worshipped by people. I love a garland of Tulasi petals."

Tulasi's body flowed after becoming river Gandaki. Narayana became a stone and was residing in it. Tulasi plant was born from the hair of Tulasi and became sacred.

Rukmini

There was a king by name Bhishmaka in the kingdom of Vidharbha. He had five sons by name Rukmi, Rukmaratha, Rukmabahu, Rukmakesha and Rukmamali. Sriman Narayana was born for killing Kansa and with a view to establishing righteousness. When he was thus born as Krishna, Lakshmi was born as Rukmini, daughter of Bhismaka. She was beautiful and virtuous. Father Bhishmaka was not only god-fearing but had also great respect for Sri Krishna. He thought of giving Rukmini in marriage to Sri Krishna.

But Bhishmaks's first son Rukmi did not agree to it. He had joined a gang of wicked men formed by Shishupala and others. He brought pressure on his father to give sister Rukmini in marriage to Shishupala. As Rukmi hated Sri Krishna he did not agree to have the relationship. Bhishmaka was not bold enough to ignore his advice.

Rukmini's marriage with Shishupala was fixed. But Rukmini, having heard of Sri Krishna's good character and greatness, had mentally accepted him as her husband. She sent a messenger to Dwaraka with the message that she would marry Krishna; and if not possible, she would give her life. Sri Krishna had already heard of Rukmini's character, virtue and beauty. He wished to marry her. Therefore, he immediately boarded a chariot and came to Bhishmaka's town. Balarama came to know that Sri Krishna went alone. Instantly he followed with a large army to help his brother.

In the capital of Vidarbha all arrangements were being made for Rukmini's marriage. Shishupala had arrived with his friends Jarasandha, Salva, Paundraka and others. Balarama and Krishna also joined. Balarama had stationed his army far away outside the city.

After sometime the marriage rituals commenced. Rukmini went with her entourage to the temple to worship Gowri. She worshipped Gowri and prayed: "Let only Sri Krishna become my husband." She was not aware of Sri Krishna's having come to the town. She was worried about what would happen. Rukmini completed worship of Gowri and came out of the temple. Instantly Sri Krishna brought his chariot, made her mount it and drove away towards Dwaraka. Jarasandha and others, when they came to know of this incident became angry and went after Sri Krishna. A terrible war was fought. Krishna and Balarama defeated all and set out to Dwaraka.

Thereafter the marriage of Sri Krishna and Rukmini was celebrated grandly at Dwaraka. Rukmini was the senior queen. Pradyumna is Rukmini's son.

Padmavati
Once the great sage Bhrigu went to heaven. Vishnu was sleeping on Adisesha. The sage became angry and kicked at Vishnu's chest. Then Vishnu got up and said: "O sage, welcome to you. Excuse me. I am sure your foot must be hurting because it touched my hard chest." He massaged his leg and comforted him. Sage Bhrigu was pleased. Saying, "You have comforted me without losing your temper even when kicked. You possess good nature, you are the best," he left.

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. I cannot reside in this chest any more," she decided, and in disgust went to Kolhapur and settled there. Even to this day 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 to perform a religious function to get children. The king agreed to it and he himself began ploughing the earth to level the ground to set up the ritual stage. 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, "O 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, sage Narada came there. Looking at Padmavati he said, "O 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 the separation from you and living in Tirupati. Within a few days you two will be married," and went away. Venkatesha attracted Padmavati, 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 Venkatesha, 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' (the one in whom sri resides).

Originally posted by: SilverFairy

So I Know That Devi Sita Came From The Earth, But What About Devi Rukmini?? Where Did She Come From??