Page 96 - Shri Venkateswara Book
P. 96
Srinivasa answered, “How can we feed all these
people? I live in an anthill without any means to offer
a grand feast with decorations and precious gifts for
the august assembly of guests. I have nothing. What
am I to do?” Lord Brahma summoned Kuvera, the
treasurer of the demigods. Kuvera stood before Lord
Srinivasa with folded palms, offering his repeated
respects and homage. He said, “My Lord, whatever
I have is Your property. You are the proprietor of
everything that exists. The entire treasury of all the
demigods belongs to You because You are sarva loka
Mahesvara, the Lord and Master of all the universes.”
Lord Srinivasa insisted that the treasury of the devas
belonged to them. He was simply asking for a loan,
for which He stated the terms. He said, “Please give
Me fourteen lakhs of gold coins (1.4 million) until
the end of Kali yuga. When my devotees come for
darshan to see Me, they will bring their valuables
and other wealth to pay the interest of the loan that
I will owe you.”
Due to his astute loan contract, the temple of
Srinivasa at Tirumala Tirupati is the wealthiest
temple in the entire world. Srinivasa said that until
95
28/04/2024 05:13:56
Venkateshwara Book.indd 95
Venkateshwara Book.indd 95 28/04/2024 05:13:56