The Story of Lord Balaji/Venkateswara
On May 20, 2025Do you know that Lord Balaji (also called Venkateswara) is the deity who gets the largest offerings in the world from his devotees? An interesting story lies behind it. The reason is that his devotees are helping him repay a loan he took from Lord Kubera, the divine treasurer, for his marriage to Padmavati (an avatar of Goddess Lakshmi).
Legend of Tirupati Balaji
Sage Narada once observed some sages performing a Yagna. Not able to decide who should benefit from the Yagna, he asked Sage Bhrigu to decide after meeting the Trimurti in their abodes.
Bhrigu visited Brahma and Shiva, but they did not notice him. Finally, he met Vishnu in Vaikuntha. Vishnu was meditating while Goddess Lakshmi was pressing his feet. An angry Bhrigu kicked Vishnu's chest (where Lakshmi dwells). This annoyed Lakshmi, and she was even more displeased when Vishnu calmly asked Bhrigu to forgive him. Vishnu also massaged his legs. While doing so, he squashed the extra eye on the sole of Bhrigu's foot. This put an end to the sage's egotism. An angry Lakshmi left Vaikuntha and arrived at Varaha Kshetra. She performed rigorous penance for twelve years, after which she took birth as Padmavati to King Akasha Raja.
Meanwhile, Vishnu reached Venkata Hill and sat in an anthill beneath a tamarind tree near a lake. He began chanting the name of his wife and reincarnated as Srinivasa, the son of an elderly woman Vakula Devi, who was an incarnation of Yashoda, Lord Krishna’s foster-mother. Krishna had promised that he would be reborn as her son, as she was unhappy about not being able to attend his wedding to Rukmini.
Vakula Devi went to Akasha Raja with a proposal of marriage between Srinivasa and Padmavati. Meanwhile, Srinivasa arrived at the city in the guise of a fortune-teller. He met Princess Padmavati, and she fell in love with Srinivasa. The princess fell sick on returning to the palace. Failing to diagnose the cause of her illness, her maids invited the fortune-teller to the palace to predict the princess’ future. The fortune-teller predicted that Padmavati would marry Srinivasa, who was the avatar of Vishnu. On hearing this, Padmavati recovered. The delighted king agreed to Vakula Devi’s proposal.
Srinivasa sought consent from the gods for the marriage. He also got a large loan from Kubera, the God of wealth, for the wedding expenses and to furnish proof of his wealth. As per legends, Venkateswara married Padmavathi at Kalyana Venkateswara Temple, Narayanavanam, and later, they moved to Tirumala.
It is believed that the deity hasn’t finished repaying Kubera’s loan. So, devotees make large donations to Tirupati Balaji Temple, in order to help him repay the loan.
The marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavati was a grand event. Their divine union led to balance and prosperity in the universe. After the wedding, Srinivasa settled down in the Tirumala Hills and became known as Lord Venkateswara.
Spiritual Meaning
The Thirukkalyanam, or wedding between Srinivasa and Padmavati, is not just a union of souls. It is also a spiritual journey. It underscores the strength of faith and the beauty of divine love. Devotees believe that taking part in this sacred event brings abundance, balance, and spiritual benefits.
Srinivasa Becomes Venkateswara/Balaji
Six months after the wedding, Brahma and Shiva told Lakshmi about Vishnu's desire to reside on the seven hills to deliver mankind from the troubles of Kali Yuga. Lakshmi and Padmavati turned into stone idols as they wished to be with Vishnu always. Lakshmi is on the left side of his chest, and Padmavati is on the right side.
As Srinivasa chose to reside in the Venkata Hills forever, devotees began to worship him as Venkateswara, meaning "Lord of the Venkata Hills."
Venkateswara’s idol has the attributes of both Vishnu and Shiva. The idol also wears ornaments associated with both the deities. Hence, devotees believe that Venkateswara represents the Vishwarup, or universal form. This form encompasses all forms of God that are described in Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita.
Venkateswara represents goodness. His Chakra annihilates evil, and Panchajanya, his conch, produces the cosmic sound that destroys the world's ignorance. Venkateswara is also called Sat-Chit-Ananda
After the Tirupati Balaji Temple was built in his honor, he got the name Balaji. This temple attracts lots of devotees, as it is believed that Balaji grants one’ wishes, removes obstacles in life, and bestows success.
Significance of Tirupati Balaji
Millions of devotees visit the Tirupati Balaji Temple every year to gain success, wealth, and health. The temple has some unique rituals, which are given below:
Head-tonsuring: Devotees tonsure their heads as thanksgiving for wishes that are fulfilled by the deity.
Donations: Hundi donations here are very substantial. The temple is one of the wealthiest in India. Devotees donate cash and jewelry to help Balaji repay his debt to Kubera.
Prasad: The temple’s Prasad is Laddu, which is very famous, as devotees believe it to be a divine blessing.
Lord Balaji has worked many miracles in his devotees’ lives. He is the guardian of his devotees. In many instances, devotees experienced miracles including sudden financial windfalls to being cured of diseases, thanks to the deity’s grace.
Legend of Tirupati Balaji
Sage Narada once observed some sages performing a Yagna. Not able to decide who should benefit from the Yagna, he asked Sage Bhrigu to decide after meeting the Trimurti in their abodes.
Bhrigu visited Brahma and Shiva, but they did not notice him. Finally, he met Vishnu in Vaikuntha. Vishnu was meditating while Goddess Lakshmi was pressing his feet. An angry Bhrigu kicked Vishnu's chest (where Lakshmi dwells). This annoyed Lakshmi, and she was even more displeased when Vishnu calmly asked Bhrigu to forgive him. Vishnu also massaged his legs. While doing so, he squashed the extra eye on the sole of Bhrigu's foot. This put an end to the sage's egotism. An angry Lakshmi left Vaikuntha and arrived at Varaha Kshetra. She performed rigorous penance for twelve years, after which she took birth as Padmavati to King Akasha Raja.
Meanwhile, Vishnu reached Venkata Hill and sat in an anthill beneath a tamarind tree near a lake. He began chanting the name of his wife and reincarnated as Srinivasa, the son of an elderly woman Vakula Devi, who was an incarnation of Yashoda, Lord Krishna’s foster-mother. Krishna had promised that he would be reborn as her son, as she was unhappy about not being able to attend his wedding to Rukmini.
Vakula Devi went to Akasha Raja with a proposal of marriage between Srinivasa and Padmavati. Meanwhile, Srinivasa arrived at the city in the guise of a fortune-teller. He met Princess Padmavati, and she fell in love with Srinivasa. The princess fell sick on returning to the palace. Failing to diagnose the cause of her illness, her maids invited the fortune-teller to the palace to predict the princess’ future. The fortune-teller predicted that Padmavati would marry Srinivasa, who was the avatar of Vishnu. On hearing this, Padmavati recovered. The delighted king agreed to Vakula Devi’s proposal.
Srinivasa sought consent from the gods for the marriage. He also got a large loan from Kubera, the God of wealth, for the wedding expenses and to furnish proof of his wealth. As per legends, Venkateswara married Padmavathi at Kalyana Venkateswara Temple, Narayanavanam, and later, they moved to Tirumala.
It is believed that the deity hasn’t finished repaying Kubera’s loan. So, devotees make large donations to Tirupati Balaji Temple, in order to help him repay the loan.
The marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavati was a grand event. Their divine union led to balance and prosperity in the universe. After the wedding, Srinivasa settled down in the Tirumala Hills and became known as Lord Venkateswara.
Spiritual Meaning
The Thirukkalyanam, or wedding between Srinivasa and Padmavati, is not just a union of souls. It is also a spiritual journey. It underscores the strength of faith and the beauty of divine love. Devotees believe that taking part in this sacred event brings abundance, balance, and spiritual benefits.
Srinivasa Becomes Venkateswara/Balaji
Six months after the wedding, Brahma and Shiva told Lakshmi about Vishnu's desire to reside on the seven hills to deliver mankind from the troubles of Kali Yuga. Lakshmi and Padmavati turned into stone idols as they wished to be with Vishnu always. Lakshmi is on the left side of his chest, and Padmavati is on the right side.
As Srinivasa chose to reside in the Venkata Hills forever, devotees began to worship him as Venkateswara, meaning "Lord of the Venkata Hills."
Venkateswara’s idol has the attributes of both Vishnu and Shiva. The idol also wears ornaments associated with both the deities. Hence, devotees believe that Venkateswara represents the Vishwarup, or universal form. This form encompasses all forms of God that are described in Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita.
Venkateswara represents goodness. His Chakra annihilates evil, and Panchajanya, his conch, produces the cosmic sound that destroys the world's ignorance. Venkateswara is also called Sat-Chit-Ananda
After the Tirupati Balaji Temple was built in his honor, he got the name Balaji. This temple attracts lots of devotees, as it is believed that Balaji grants one’ wishes, removes obstacles in life, and bestows success.
Significance of Tirupati Balaji
Millions of devotees visit the Tirupati Balaji Temple every year to gain success, wealth, and health. The temple has some unique rituals, which are given below:
Head-tonsuring: Devotees tonsure their heads as thanksgiving for wishes that are fulfilled by the deity.
Donations: Hundi donations here are very substantial. The temple is one of the wealthiest in India. Devotees donate cash and jewelry to help Balaji repay his debt to Kubera.
Prasad: The temple’s Prasad is Laddu, which is very famous, as devotees believe it to be a divine blessing.
Lord Balaji has worked many miracles in his devotees’ lives. He is the guardian of his devotees. In many instances, devotees experienced miracles including sudden financial windfalls to being cured of diseases, thanks to the deity’s grace.