Family weddings are very common to all societies of the world. But we find celebrations of Divine weddings in many important temples all over South India! Generally Vaishnava Temples perform Srinivasa Kalyanam and Sita Kalyanam. Saiva Temples conduct Parvati Kalyanam or Girija Kalyanam. In Temples of Lord Subrahmanya, Valli Kalyanam has become very popular. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam conducts Srinivasa Kalyanam daily in which hundreds of devotees participate, witness the proceedings and derive the blessings! Two devotees are allowed for rupees five hundred ticket. Likewise in Bhadrachalam and other Temples of Sri Rama, Sita Kalyanam is celebrated on a grand scale. Man has created God in his own image, given Him different names and attributes and desires to see the weddings of Lord Vishnu, Sri Rama and Lord Subrahmanya! He wants to satiate himself through the various Vedic rituals that have been prescribed from time Immemorial. He finds an indescribable pleasure in watching those rituals being performed by the archakas or priests.
How can God be married? Supreme God is called ‘Brahman' which has no attributes! Vishnu, Siva and Subrahmanya are only different forms of the ‘Brahman'. Spouses of Vishnu, Siva and Subrahmanya are Lakshmi, Parvati and Valli respectively. It is intriguing to know that Lakshmi is settled eternally on Vishnu's chest! Siva has granted half of his body to Parvati and hence is called Ardhanariswara! Wedding or marriage is a celebration of bringing together of two different families through the bride and the groom. When Lakshmi and Parvati are with their husbands forever, How can they be brought together? As we realize this fact, it appears that these Divine weddings are meaningless. Have these marriages taken place really or is it a fabric of imagination? There is absolutely no need for the wedding of Gods and Goddesses from the Divine perspective. The Sanskrit word ‘Srimath' means one who is always with Vishnu. She never leaves him alone. He too never leaves her. Lakshmi and Narayana come together, not separately. The word Siva indicates welfare or ' mangalam'. This is because Siva is always with his spouse Parvati who has shared his body! In performing yagas or yajnas, it is the practice to invoke and invite the God along with his spouse.
When the Lord took Avatar as Sri Rama and Sri Krishna in human form, He exhibited his Divine Sports by marrying Sita during the Ramavatar and Rukmini in his Krishnavatar. As explained earlier, Lakshmi can never be separated from the Lord. “ Raghavatwe bhaveth Sita Rukmini Krishna janmani” She too took birth as Sita to wed Sri Rama and as Rukmini to take the hand of Sri Krishna! Lakshmi Devi is said to have born in the lineage of sage Bhrighu. Thus she is called 'Bhargavi'. The great poet Vedanta Desican wonders at the uncertainty of her position. Is She the resident on the chest of Lord Vishnu? Does She remain at the place where yajnas are conducted? Does she remain in the kalasas? Vedanta Desican is uncertain and confused about her permanent residence. According to Kooratthazwar even Lord Vishnu is unable to understand the greatness and glory of Mahalakshmi! Azwar concludes that Sri Mahalakshmi herself is unaware of her greatness and glory. Some are rich, noble and great while many are poor, humble and lead an ordinary existence. What is the reason for this difference? It is because of the Grace and benevolence of Mahalakshmi! Those without her Grace have to suffer. The Grace of Mahalakshmi brings in the Grace of Goddess Saraswati also!
A few ignorant people foolishly think that photos of these Goddesses should not be placed side by side! Lakshmi is the aunt and Saraswati, wife of creator Brahma, is her daughter in law. Hence the relationship may not be conducive to peaceful and harmonious living! What a stupid thought! We may be like that but not the Divine Devis. Why should these Avatars marry when there is no need for them to marry? There would never have been a chance for us to see and enjoy the Divine weddings if they had not married. We would never have the occasion to speak of them and enjoy the bliss.
Witnessing and speaking about these Divine weddings is very good for the welfare and prosperity of all in the society. Divine happiness is the root cause of peace, prosperity and plenty among the people in the world. Parents worried about their unmarried children need not feel sad. Children’s marriages will be fixed and celebrated early! It is the compassion of God to grant his bhaktha what he desires. When His Name is chanted with pure devotion, there is nothing that God cannot grant! For the well-being of His creation, God has taken Avatar and married though it is not necessary for Him! The presence of the Lord with Lakshmi and that of Lakshmi with the Lord is the real marriage that brings infinite bliss to bhakthas as well as to others!
How can God be married? Supreme God is called ‘Brahman' which has no attributes! Vishnu, Siva and Subrahmanya are only different forms of the ‘Brahman'. Spouses of Vishnu, Siva and Subrahmanya are Lakshmi, Parvati and Valli respectively. It is intriguing to know that Lakshmi is settled eternally on Vishnu's chest! Siva has granted half of his body to Parvati and hence is called Ardhanariswara! Wedding or marriage is a celebration of bringing together of two different families through the bride and the groom. When Lakshmi and Parvati are with their husbands forever, How can they be brought together? As we realize this fact, it appears that these Divine weddings are meaningless. Have these marriages taken place really or is it a fabric of imagination? There is absolutely no need for the wedding of Gods and Goddesses from the Divine perspective. The Sanskrit word ‘Srimath' means one who is always with Vishnu. She never leaves him alone. He too never leaves her. Lakshmi and Narayana come together, not separately. The word Siva indicates welfare or ' mangalam'. This is because Siva is always with his spouse Parvati who has shared his body! In performing yagas or yajnas, it is the practice to invoke and invite the God along with his spouse.
When the Lord took Avatar as Sri Rama and Sri Krishna in human form, He exhibited his Divine Sports by marrying Sita during the Ramavatar and Rukmini in his Krishnavatar. As explained earlier, Lakshmi can never be separated from the Lord. “ Raghavatwe bhaveth Sita Rukmini Krishna janmani” She too took birth as Sita to wed Sri Rama and as Rukmini to take the hand of Sri Krishna! Lakshmi Devi is said to have born in the lineage of sage Bhrighu. Thus she is called 'Bhargavi'. The great poet Vedanta Desican wonders at the uncertainty of her position. Is She the resident on the chest of Lord Vishnu? Does She remain at the place where yajnas are conducted? Does she remain in the kalasas? Vedanta Desican is uncertain and confused about her permanent residence. According to Kooratthazwar even Lord Vishnu is unable to understand the greatness and glory of Mahalakshmi! Azwar concludes that Sri Mahalakshmi herself is unaware of her greatness and glory. Some are rich, noble and great while many are poor, humble and lead an ordinary existence. What is the reason for this difference? It is because of the Grace and benevolence of Mahalakshmi! Those without her Grace have to suffer. The Grace of Mahalakshmi brings in the Grace of Goddess Saraswati also!
A few ignorant people foolishly think that photos of these Goddesses should not be placed side by side! Lakshmi is the aunt and Saraswati, wife of creator Brahma, is her daughter in law. Hence the relationship may not be conducive to peaceful and harmonious living! What a stupid thought! We may be like that but not the Divine Devis. Why should these Avatars marry when there is no need for them to marry? There would never have been a chance for us to see and enjoy the Divine weddings if they had not married. We would never have the occasion to speak of them and enjoy the bliss.
Witnessing and speaking about these Divine weddings is very good for the welfare and prosperity of all in the society. Divine happiness is the root cause of peace, prosperity and plenty among the people in the world. Parents worried about their unmarried children need not feel sad. Children’s marriages will be fixed and celebrated early! It is the compassion of God to grant his bhaktha what he desires. When His Name is chanted with pure devotion, there is nothing that God cannot grant! For the well-being of His creation, God has taken Avatar and married though it is not necessary for Him! The presence of the Lord with Lakshmi and that of Lakshmi with the Lord is the real marriage that brings infinite bliss to bhakthas as well as to others!
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