Tirupathi Sri Venketeswara Story and Mahatyam Part 24
The whole night Srinivasa could not get sleep for the happenings in the garden reeled before his mind. He felt that Padmavathi could not recognise him in his hunter's attire. She would have recognised him had her shown her his real form. That was his mistake, he realised. What is the use this after thought? So thinking, he spend that night, sleepless. The day broke, meantime.
Vakuladevi could not tolerate Srinivasa's discomfort. She consoled him and asked him not to be perturbed. She said she would meet Akasa Raju and to the best of her ability try to convince him. She started for Narayanapuram on this mission.
Doubting whether the king and queen would agree to his mother's request, Srinivasa thought of another plan to win Padmavathi's hand. Accordingly he dressed himself like a female fortune teller. He bore a saree and a green blouse. He put a green tilak on the forehead and forearms; applied eyetex for the eye brows and resembled a pucca lady. Holding a basket on her waist she reached Narayanapuram. Standing before the king's palace she cried "fortune teller, fortune teller" in a peculiar tone. Dharani Devi wanted to find out, what the exact illness of her daughter was. So she ordered the fortune teller be brought in.
When she came in, Singi, the fortune teller placed her basket on the floor and squatted before it. Dharani devi called her daughter Padmavathi there. Singi said that she would tell 'what is as is' and would not hide any facts. She requested that she me be richly rewarded. She then asked Padmavathi to stretch her palm.
Padmavathi's maids told singi that she should tell the truth and if she revealed what was in the of the princess, she would be suitably rewarded.
Singi made Padmavathi sit before the basket. Sheplaced a bamboo tray before her and got it filled with pearls. She decorated the fortune plank with saffron and kumkum, prayed Gods and Goddess. She prayed Vigneswara, Veerabhadra, Kumaraswamy, Visweswara, Lakshmi, Parvathi, Trimurthis, Astadikpalakas, Madura, Meenakshi, Kanchi Kamakshi, Kasi Visalakshi, Kanaga Durga and etc. She prayed them to bless her and guide her tell what is hidden in the princess' mind. Holding a cane in her hand and passing it on the palm of Padmavathi she began to tell thus: "Hear O mother, you have desire in your mind. You would like to know what it is. You would like to know whether it is good or bad. You'll feel glad if i say it is good. You would like me to tell you it is good only, it is not bad. If there is anybody happy about it, it is only you.
You loved one person, He is black in complexion. You met him in the garden. You talked to him. He stole your heart. You are thinking about him only. See here, you have this like running in your palm. It is the matrimonial line. It is strong. Your desire is sure to be fulfilled. None can avoid it. You would like to know when you will get that bridegroom. It will not be too long. Please wait. Time and tide waits for no man. Here, look into this basket.
Padmavathi immediately looked into the Basket. She could see there Srinivasa, whom she met in the garden. She was pleased to see him. But bent her head in shyness and kept silent.
Singi continued..... Even the three crores Devas cannot stand in your way and cannot stop your marriage with the person whom you loved. Padmavathi was overjoyed and could not contain. She ran away into her apartment smiling.
Dharani devi was struck wonder. She could not understand the miracle that the fore-teller cured her daughter. She anxiously asked whether all that she said was true. Singi replied why ask me? Ask your daughter.
After getting suitable presents Singi moved her way.
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