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


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