Page 28 - History of Tirupathi Balaji and comparison of Sri Vaishnava

The maidservants of the princess returned. They saw the strange hunter
talking with their princess. Thay addressed Srinvasa derisively. “Who are
you? What are you doing here with our Princess?” They cautioned Padmavati,
“You are the daughter of exalted royalty. You cannot speak to a mere hunter.
It is inappropriate to be alone in the forest with this stranger.” Srinivasa smiled
and said, “Oh young maidservants, do not be alarmed. I am in love with your
princess. And she loves Me. I going to propose marriage to her.”
“Haa!” said the maids. Padmavati blushed with embarrassment. She
looked down and said, “First you have to ask My parents their permission. The
maidservants became upset. “You are trying to seduce our princess. Go away!”
They picked up stones and threw them at Srinivasa and chased after Him. He
jumped on His horse and left in a hurry.

Srinivasa returned to His mother. She noticed His forlorn look and asked,
“Why are You unhappy?”
“Mother, I am in love. But I am not able to approach the one I love. All
her friends throw stones at Me.” Bakula devi said, “You are the Lord of the
Universe. How can You be enchanted by a mere mortal woman on this world?
But whatever You desire is my life. If you desire I will go to negotiate marriage
with her parents.”
Who is Mother Padmavati?
Srinivasa asked His mother if He could tell her about the divine origin
of Padmavati. He began to narrate the history of the divine princess. There
was a great sage who lived in the Treta Yuga. His name was Kushadhvaja. He
performed a sacrifi cial fi re ritual (yagna) to evoke a divine goddess as his child.
With intense devotion, he chanted the Vedic mantras. One of the expansions of
the Goddess of Fortune from the spiritual world appeared as the daughter of the
sage. He named her Vedavati which means one who possesses Vedic knowledge.
She was endowed with stunning beauty along with an many extraordinary good
qualities. When she became of marriageable age, all the great princes and kings
desired to marry Her. They tried to entice Her with promises of wealth, all sorts
of luxuries and heavenly pleasures. But, She was not in the least attracted to
any of Her suitors or their promises. Her mind was always meditating on Lord
Vishnu. It is said in the Padma Purana Vedic scripture, Krishna is the origin of Lord
Vishnu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. (smartavyah
satatam Vishnu/vismartavyo na jatucit) All the rules and regulations mentioned in the
sastras (scriptures) should be the servants of these two principles. (Padma Purana)
Kushadhvaja understood Vedavati was the Goddess of Fortune. Only Lord
Vishnu was suitable to be Her husband.
Kushadvaja sent his daughter into the recesses of the Himalayas to live
alone. She performed severe austerities while meditating on the Lotus Feet
of Lord Vishnu to attract His mercy and accept Her as His wife. It is said in
the Rig Veda, “The Lotus Feet of Lord Vishnu are the supreme platform. The
performance of everything on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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