Page 36 - History of Tirupathi Balaji and comparison of Sri Vaishnava

magic wand to put spells on people. The gypsy woman entered Aksaraj’s capital
city, Narayana puram. She began to call out, “I have magical powers that can
cure the sick and foretell the future.” The maidservants of Padmavati heard
the gypsy woman’s claims. They told Dharini who immediately ordered them
to bring the gypsy to the palace. Padmavati’s mother pleaded with the gypsy
to cure her daughter’s sickness and reveal what her future destiny. The wry
gypsy asked for certain things before she could perform her miraculous cure.
She wanted rice, red powder, turmeric , silk saris and gold coins. When she
received paraphernalia, she arranged them on a table and began to chant sacred
mantras. She asked Dharini to bring Padmavati so she could begin the cure. On
seeing Padmavati, Srinivasa disguised as the gypsy woman looked attentively at
her. Then the gypsy asked to see her palms. After examining them she said, “I
know what her illness is. She has met a great personality and fallen in love with
him. Due to separation from her lover, she has fallen sick.”
Dharini was insulted by these words, “You are talking nonsense! My
daughter is not love sick!” The gyspy woman insisted that she could see past
present and future. She added, the great personality was disguised as a hunter,
but he was really the Supreme Lord of Sheshacala, Lord Vishnu. He was in
pursuit of a dangerous elephant and other wild animals that were menacing
the residents of the mountain range. He happened upon Padmavati and her
maidservants as the elephant was charging toward them. The attendants ran
away leaving Padmavati alone. The hunter rescued your daughter from certain
death. Padmavati became aware of everything that transpired because she was
informed by the goddess of the mountain.”

Dharini rejected what she considered a fabricated tale. But, the gypsy woman
continued her narrative. She said that soon the mother of the hunter would
appear to ask for Padmavati’s hand in marriage with her son. She recommended
to Dharini to accept the offer and arrange the marriage. The gypsy woman left.
Soon Bakula devi arrived. She had a dignifi ed air about her even though
she lived very humbly in the forest. Dharini greeted her respectfully. Srinivasa’s
mother offered Dharini a plate made out of ivory that was covered with the most
precious, celestial jewels. She requested that Dharini and her husband permit
the marriage of their daughter to her son Srinivasa, She claimed that Srinivasa
is the Supreme Lord of the universe living in the Sheshacala mountain range.
Dharini inquired, Who is the incarnation of God? I have not heard of Him. If Vishnu,
who is the possesser of all opulence, were to incarnate in this world, why would he appear
as a hermit living in the mountain jungles? I will ask my husband about this possibility.
Dharini related the request of Bakula devi to her husband. He consulted his
ministers. They were highly educated Brahmins. They spoke wisely, “We don’t
know of any incarnation of God in these mountains, but the great sage Shuka
lives in that area. He should know about the Lord’s incarnation.”
A large delegation went to the hermitage of Shuka and inquired from him.
The hermit confi rmed that the Supreme Personality of Godhead was living in
the hills of Sheshachalam. He revealed to the King Aksharaj that he was blessed
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