the queen related the words of Bakulasraj in the presence of the ministers. Having heard [them], the delighted king said to the ministers and the family priests: 39

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“This maiden not born from a womb, divine and fortunate Kamalālayā,

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has been sought [in marriage] by the god of gods who dwells on Mount Veṅkaṭa. 40

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My wish is fulfilled today! Speak, what is your opinion?”

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Hearing the excellent words of the king, all the ministers, 41

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their minds well-pleased, spoke to King Viyat, the lord of the earth:

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“We have achieved our purpose, O best of kings! The lineage will become the most exalted of all! 42”

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This peerless daughter of yours will delight [in union] with Śrī.

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Let her be given to the God of gods, the wielder of the Śārṅga bow, the Supreme Self.

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This is the auspicious spring; let the auspicious [event] be arranged swiftly.

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Now the fixing of the wedding lagna according to Bṛhaspati's counsel.

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Having summoned Dhiṣaṇa, let the lagna be fixed for the marriage.

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Saying 'So be it,' he summoned Bṛhaspati from the world of the gods.

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The ruler of men inquired for the sake of the marriage of the bride and bridegroom.

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The birth constellation of the maiden is known to be Mṛgaśīrṣa;

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The constellation of the god is Śravaṇa. Let their union be considered.

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Hearing this, that Dhiṣaṇa said: 'For the two of them, Uttaraphalgunī

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is approved for the increase of happiness, as stated by astrologers.

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Let their marriage be performed under Uttaraphalgunī;

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let it be duly performed in the month of Vaiśākha,' thus he said.

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Then the king, having worshipped Dhiṣaṇa there and dismissed him,

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said to the female messenger of the god: 'Go to the abode of the god, O auspicious lady.

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Announce the wedding to the God of gods in Vaiśākha, O woman of virtuous vows,

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and return having made the wedding arrangements.'

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Then, having sent forth the parrot, the messenger pleasing to the goddess, along with her,

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he dispatched Vāyu, his own son, to fetch Indra and the others.

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Now the sequence of decorating the city and other tasks performed by Viśvakarman and others.

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Having summoned Viśvakarman, he assigned him to the work of decorating the city;

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and he accomplished it in the space of a twinkling of an eye.

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Indra sent down a shower of flowers, and the troops of apsarases danced.

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The Giver of Wealth filled that residence with wealth, grain, and the like.

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Yama made the men on earth free from disease;

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Varuṇa filled [it] with heaps of jewels, pearls, and other treasures.

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Having thus accomplished everything, the gods went to Vṛṣācala.

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Now Bakulā's journey to the presence of Śrīnivāsa along with the parrot.

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Then, mounting a horse, she departed along with the parrot.

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Reaching Mount Śrīveṅkaṭa, near the temple of the god,

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she dismounted from the horse and went inside with the parrot.

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Beholding the beautiful-eyed god on a bejeweled seat along with Śrī,

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she bowed down and said with joy: 'The task there has been accomplished, O Lord.

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Indeed, this parrot has arrived to speak the auspicious news.'

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Now the news of Padmāvatī's marriage announced to Śrīnivāsa by the parrot.

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Commanded by the god, 'Speak,' the parrot bowed down and addressed him.

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The daughter of the Earth says to you: 'Accept me, O Mādhava!

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I speak your names; I ever remember your form;

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your marks are borne on my arms and other limbs, O Lord of Ramā!

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Here I worship your devotees who are endowed with the five sacraments;

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indeed, I perform all actions for your pleasure, O Madhusūdana!

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Upon me who ever act thus with the consent of my parents,

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bestow your grace, O Lord of gods; accept me, O Mādhava!'

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Thus the daughter of the Earth residing on the lotus made her entreaty.

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Hearing the words of the parrot, which were exceedingly dear to him, Hari—

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Now Padmāvatī's wearing of the garland from Śrīnivāsa brought by the parrot.

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'I shall come with the immortals to celebrate the auspicious wedding.

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O parrot, go and tell her thus: "The god has spoken in this manner."'

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Hearing the words of the god and taking the woodland garland

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given by the god, the parrot quickly departed toward the daughter of King Viyat.

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Having delivered the garland of tulasī fragrant with musk,

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and having bowed down, the parrot spoke the auspicious words of the god to the goddess.

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Hearing that, the Earth-born maiden took the garland and placed it upon her head.

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Longing for the arrival of the god, she adorned herself suitably.

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King Viyat too, full of joy, respectfully summoned the Moon...

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"Let food of various kinds, possessing [all] flavours, be prepared, O King!

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Let supreme food, worthy of being an offering to Viṣṇu, be prepared,

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Approved by gods, by seers, and even by men,

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Of four kinds, rich in sweet scents, with portions of nectar, O moon!"

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Having thus made the arrangements, awaiting the arrival of the Lord,

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The king sat in the assembly hall together with his ministers, delighted in mind.

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Having adorned his daughter, the king [sat] together with Dharaṇī.

Thus ends the seventh chapter, titled "The Description of the News of Śrīnivāsa Related by Bakulamālikā to Queen Dharaṇī, the Marriage Rituals of Kamalālayā, and Other Events," in the dialogue between Dharaṇī and Varāha, in the glorification of Śrī Veṅkaṭācala, in the second Vaiṣṇava Section of the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa consisting of eighty-one thousand verses.

Linked texts (1)

Skandapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit