Chapter summary
पद्मावतीपरिणयम् Padmāvatī Pariṇayam
The Revered Guru said: King Ākāśarāja, filled with supreme joy, summoned his ministers and commanded them to swiftly arrange the wedding ceremonies for his daughter in the city. His delighted servants immediately announced Padmāvatī’s wedding throughout the city to all citizens, accompanied by the joyous sound of drums. In every home, the jubilant populace adorned their dwellings with mango leaves and banana trees, placing auspicious full pots (*pūrṇakumbhas*) and beautiful lamps at their thresholds. (v.1-3)
There, Viśvakarmā, the divine architect, with immense care, fashioned a celestial pavilion supported by a thousand pillars, adorned with a wondrous array of diverse and intricate artistic carvings. All the people, splendidly adorned and speaking kind words, were filled with curiosity and a fervent desire to witness the wedding, their hearts overflowing with mutual affection. (v.4-5)
The king and queen, with great delight, summoned their relatives, friends, and servants, honoring them respectfully with fitting garments, ornaments, and other gifts. Adorned with priceless attire and jewels, their eyes blossoming with love, the royal couple was revered by all at this grand festival. (v.6-7)
Padmāvatī’s friends, full of loving playfulness, delighted her with sweet conversation, repeatedly and respectfully recounting the Lord's infinite pastimes. Amidst the sounds of various musical instruments, a group of married women bathed the maiden with fragrant oil, sacred waters, and turmeric. (v.8-9)
Her friends then dressed Padmāvatī in a pair of silk garments marked with swans and a scented upper cloth, before beautifully filling her braided hair with fresh flowers. Thus adorned by her companions, she shone, anointed with fragrant saffron from Kashmir, her eyes lined with fine kohl, and her forehead marked with excellent vermilion. (v.10-11)
Gazing at her own lotus-face in the mirror, a very repository of all beauty, Padmāvatī felt a blush of shyness, remembering Ajita, the unconquered one, whose eyes were like lotus petals. (v.12)
Then Mukunda, served by all His attendants and the gods, joyfully mounted the chariot of Garuḍa, the king of birds, and arrived amidst the sounds of auspicious music. Ādiśeṣa, the thousand-headed serpent, held the umbrella; the Moon and the Sun became the two lamps. Tilottamā and Urvaśī fanned Śauri [Lord Kṛṣṇa] with whisks. Brahmā, the unborn, acted as the charioteer, and Śiva, as the groom's friend, offered his hand. Placing His own hand in Śambhu's [Śiva's], the wielder of the conch and discus arrived there. (v.13-15)
Seeing his new relatives, the king of the earth came forth with his kinsmen. And Queen Dharā, beholding her son-in-law, the primeval Lord, Nanda's son, rejoiced. Then, after offering an auspicious full pot, she led her son-in-law into the palace. There, Dharā offered milk and fruit to that groom, the Lord of the worlds. (v.16-17)
After honoring his new relatives, the great-souled king then honored the great sages who had arrived, led by Vyāsa. Praised by them in a fitting manner, the king shone, his eyes filled with tears of love. (v.18)
Then Hari, this embodiment of auspiciousness, served by all the gods and celebrated with the sounds of auspicious music, reached the wedding pavilion. The friends then brought Padmāvatī, her limbs adorned with ornaments, and, with a gentle smile, seated her beside the Lord of Śeṣagiri [Tirumala]. (v.19-20)
The Lord of Vṛṣaśaila [Veṅkaṭeśa] placed His own Vaijayantī garland upon Padmā, and Padmāvatī joyfully placed her own lotus garland upon Mukunda. Seating the most charming couple on a swing, the loving women then performed auspicious rites to destroy the evil effects of any malevolent gaze. (v.21-22)
Then, after worshipping Vighneśa [Gaṇeśa] and having the Puṇyāha [purificatory rites] recited, Vasiṣṭha tied the protective thread on the hands of the bride and groom and performed the preliminary rituals. Ākāśarāja, together with Dharā, washed the feet of the groom, Viṣṇu. Then, offering a cow and land, he joyfully gave away his daughter according to the prescribed rites. (v.23-24)
The Lord of Vṛṣaśaila tied the sacred Maṅgalyasūtra [a sacred thread worn by married women, symbolizing marital bliss] around the neck of Padmāvatī. At that moment, the gods showered flowers, and the hosts of Gandharvas sang with joy. (v.25)
Then the divine couple bowed to the sages led by Vasiṣṭha, and to King Ākāśa and Queen Dharā. They too offered their blessings, recognizing them as a truly divine couple. After completing the remaining fire sacrifice (*Śeṣa Homa*) at night and concluding the wedding vows, the Lord of Veṅkaṭaśaila, having accepted betel leaves, set out towards the King of Mountains [Tirumala]. (v.26-27)
The king embraced Padmāvatī and kissed her head, as did Dharā. With his eyes drenched in tears of love and his voice choked with emotion, he spoke to his daughter: "O doe-eyed one, understanding your husband's heart, serve him yourself with reverence. In his happiness alone, find your happiness. You must please your husband, who is God himself." (v.28-29)
Permitted by her father and by Dharā, she, with eyes moist with abundant love, the divine lady, joyfully bowed to her parents and went to her new home with her Lord. (v.30)
Vakulamālikā performed the Ārātrika [waving of lamps], and joyfully bringing them into the house, she delightedly placed her daughter-in-law, Padmāvatī, on her lap and kissed her on the cheek. In the inner chamber, filled with the fragrance of incense and illuminated by beautiful golden lamps, on a couch fragrant with jasmine flowers, Rameśa [the Lord of Ramā] sported with her. (v.31-32)
Those people who read or listen to this sacred story of the auspicious pastimes of Puruṣottama [the Supreme Being] and Śrī [Lakṣmī] will surely attain all good fortune. That which is eternal, everlasting, infinite, primeval, the supreme light, indivisible and immeasurable—that very supreme Brahman shines forth directly in the Ānanda Vimāna [the main sanctum of the Tirumala temple]. (v.33-34)
The supreme Śakti [divine power], which enters the forms of Brahmā, Acyuta [Viṣṇu], and Īśāna [Śiva] as the cause of the universe's creation, maintenance, and destruction—that very same power manifests directly here in the Ānanda Vimāna. The Śaivas call this God Īśvara, the Śāktas call him Bālā and Kumāra, the Kaumāras call him Kumāra, and those devoted to Viṣṇu call him Viṣṇu; all call him their own beloved chosen deity. (v.35-36)
In the Kali Yuga, many people—even those of diverse origins, Chinese, Yavanas, and Khasas, and those dwelling on other continents—will worship that Śrīnivāsa as their chosen deity to achieve their desired goals. One who desires to obtain auspiciousness should devotedly read this supreme and sacred glorification of Śrī Veṅkaṭādri, the supreme abode, which destroys great calamities and sins. (v.37-38)
To the Lord who is worshipped by all people in the three worlds, the directly manifest God in the Kali Yuga, to Śrī Veṅkaṭeśa, I offer this story, whatever little has been narrated. (v.39)
Thus ends the forty-third chapter, entitled "The Marriage of Padmāvatī," in the First Part of the "Divyadeśavaibhavam" [The Glory of the Divine Abodes, referring to the 108 sacred Vishnu temples] composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
