Discover the divine legend of how Vakula Matha became Lord Venkateswara’s foster mother. Learn how Yashoda from Dwapara Yuga was reborn in Kali Yuga to fulfill Krishna’s promise, her role in arranging Srinivasa’s marriage to Padmavathi, and the enduring traditions at Tirumala and Peruru temples honoring this sacred bond. Explore the spiritual significance, temple rituals, and archaeological evidence behind this timeless tale of maternal devotion spanning cosmic ages.
In the grand tapestry of Hindu mythology, the divine relationships between deities often transcend time and space, weaving through various cosmic ages. One such extraordinary relationship is between Lord Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the famous Tirumala temple, and Vakula Matha, his foster mother. This sacred bond, rooted in maternal love and divine promise, spans multiple cosmic eras and forms an integral part of the spiritual heritage of Tirupati. The legend of how Vakula Matha became Lord Venkateswara’s foster mother is a tale of devotion, divine promise, and maternal love that has inspired millions of devotees across generations.
The Divine Promise in Dwapara Yuga
The legend begins in the Dwapara Yuga, the third of the four cosmic ages in Hindu mythology, during the time when Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, lived on earth. According to the sacred narratives, Yashoda, Krishna’s foster mother in Gokul, had a deep longing that remained unfulfilled despite her profound devotion to her divine foster son.
As recorded in several temple chronicles, Yashoda once expressed her disappointment to Lord Krishna that despite raising him with boundless love, she never had the opportunity to witness any of his marriages. According to Wikipedia, “Yashoda, the foster-mother of Krishna, an avatara of Vishnu, complained to him that she could not witness his wedding with Rukmini, an avatara of Lakshmi.” This maternal desire to see her beloved son married touched Krishna deeply.
Understanding her maternal anguish, Krishna promised Yashoda that in a future incarnation in the Kali Yuga (the current cosmic age), he would fulfill her wish. He said that he would be born as Srinivasa (Lord Venkateswara) and she would be reborn as his foster mother. More importantly, she would have the privilege of arranging and witnessing his divine marriage.
In the words of Hindu Blog, Krishna gave her this boon: “Oh mother! I will be born as Srinivasa in the Kali Yuga. At that time, I will marry Padmavathi, daughter of Akasha Raju. You will have the privilege of performing that marriage.” This divine promise set the stage for the events that would unfold in the Kali Yuga.
Rebirth as Vakula Devi in Kali Yuga as Lord Venkateswara’s Foster Mother?
When Kali Yuga dawned, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Srinivasa (Lord Venkateswara) on the sacred Venkatadri hill (now known as Tirumala). True to his promise, Yashoda was reborn as Vakula Devi. According to some narratives, she was already present on the Venkatadri hills, serving Lord Varahaswamy, another form of Lord Vishnu who had established himself on these sacred hills.
The sacred texts reveal an interesting twist in the narrative. According to Tirumala Tirupati Yatra, “Lord Vishnu after reaching Venkatadri got the patronage of Varahaswamy. This made Him settle down permanently on Venkatadri. Vakula Devi was there and was serving Varahaswamy.” This suggests that Vakula Devi was already engaged in divine service before her path crossed with Srinivasa.
The pivotal moment came when Lord Varahaswamy instructed Vakula Devi to look after Srinivasa as a mother. This divine directive formalized the foster relationship between Vakula Devi and Srinivasa, fulfilling the promise made in the Dwapara Yuga.
Maternal Nurturing and Divine Recognition
Upon assuming her role as Srinivasa’s foster mother, Vakula Devi embraced her responsibilities with unwavering devotion. She nurtured him with the same maternal affection that she had shown as Yashoda in the previous era. According to temple records, she would collect fruits, vegetables, and herbs from the forests of Venkatadri to prepare meals for her divine son.
As noted by TirupatiTirumalaInfo, “She would go and collect nice fruit and veggies. She used to prepare delicious prasad for Him several times a day.” She also prepared herbal pastes for him and applied them, taking care of all his needs with supreme devotion.
One of the most endearing aspects of her care was her preparation of special food made from Shyamaka (millet grain), which was abundantly available on the Tirumala hills. According to traditional accounts, she would mix honey with this food to enhance its taste, which Srinivasa particularly enjoyed. This culinary preference continues to be recognized in the temple traditions, where the Lord is addressed in the 108 names (Ashtothara Shata Namavali) as “Om Priyangu Priya Bhakshya Namaha,” acknowledging his fondness for this special preparation.
The Divine Revelation and Padmavathi’s Marriage
The most significant chapter in the legend unfolds when Srinivasa falls in love with Padmavathi, the daughter of King Akasha Raju. According to the mythology, Srinivasa once went hunting on the hillside when he encountered Padmavathi being chased by elephants. After rescuing her, he fell in love with her at first sight. However, when he approached her, her companions, not recognizing his divine identity, drove him away by hurling stones at him.
Returning to Vakula Matha with wounds from the encounter, Srinivasa shared his love for Padmavathi and requested her mediation with King Akasha Raju for their marriage. Vakula Matha was initially hesitant, doubting whether a king would accept an alliance with seemingly ordinary people like them.
It was at this pivotal moment that Srinivasa revealed his divine identity to Vakula Matha. He disclosed that he was indeed Krishna of the Dwapara Yuga, and she was Yashoda, his foster mother from that era. This revelation was not just about their identities but also about the fulfillment of the divine promise made in the previous cosmic age.
Additionally, Srinivasa revealed another divine secret: Padmavathi was none other than Vedavathi, a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. According to the legends recorded by Tirumala Tirupati Yatra, Vedavathi has a fascinating story of her own, connected to Sita from the Ramayana. This added another layer of divine significance to the impending marriage.
Armed with this divine knowledge, Vakula Matha approached King Akasha Raju and successfully mediated the alliance. The divine marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavathi was thus arranged by Vakula Matha, fulfilling the promise made by Krishna to Yashoda in the Dwapara Yuga.
The Eternal Maternal Presence
Following the divine marriage, Vakula Matha continued to serve Lord Venkateswara with unwavering devotion. According to temple traditions, she remains an eternal presence in the sacred abode of Tirumala, supervising the preparation of food offerings (naivedyam) for the Lord.
This spiritual presence is physically represented in the Tirumala temple complex. According to Wikipedia, “Vakulamatha is the mother of Venkateswara. There is statue dedicated to her in the main temple just ahead of Varadaraja shrine.” Interestingly, there is a hole in the wall separating Vakula Matha’s shrine and the temple kitchen, symbolizing her continuing supervision of the food preparations for her divine son.
The maternal bond is further commemorated through the ritual sequence of offerings. As noted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the naivedyam (food offering) is first presented to Vakula Devi before it is offered to Lord Venkateswara. When the naivedyam is ready, priests ring large bells at Vakula Matha’s shrine to signal that offerings are being made to the divine mother. Only after this ceremony is completed do the priests at Tirumala present offerings to Lord Venkateswara.
This ritual sequence, honoring the mother before the son, underscores the profound respect for maternal love in Hindu traditions and perpetuates the sacred bond between Vakula Matha and Lord Venkateswara.
The Temple at Peruru: A Monument to Maternal Love
The spiritual significance of Vakula Matha is not confined to the Tirumala temple complex. A dedicated temple for Vakula Matha was built approximately 300 years ago on Peruru Banda hillock, about 5 kilometers from Tirupati and 10 kilometers from Tirumala.
According to VisitTemples, “This temple was constructed in such a way that darshan of the goddess faces the seven hills, where her son Lord Venkateswara is regarded to reside.” This architectural feature symbolizes the eternal maternal gaze of Vakula Devi watching over her divine son.
The temple, spread over 83.42 acres, underwent extensive renovation from 2011 to 2022 under the auspices of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). According to historical accounts, the temple had fallen into disrepair after being damaged during the invasions of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The recently renovated temple, with its gopuram (temple tower) plated with 20 kg of gold, now stands as a magnificent monument to the divine mother-son relationship.
Different Versions of the Legend
Like many Hindu mythological narratives, the legend of Vakula Matha has several variations across different regional traditions and textual sources. Some accounts suggest that Vakula Devi was already present on Venkatadri serving Lord Varahaswamy before she became Srinivasa’s foster mother, while others imply a direct reincarnation of Yashoda without this intermediate connection.
Similarly, there are variations in how Srinivasa and Padmavathi met and the exact role Vakula Matha played in their marriage. However, the central elements of the divine promise, the reincarnation of Yashoda as Vakula Devi, her nurturing of Srinivasa, and her role in arranging his marriage remain consistent across most versions.
These variations add richness to the narrative tapestry without diluting the core spiritual message of maternal devotion and divine fulfillment.
Spiritual Significance for Devotees
The legend of Vakula Matha transcends mere mythological storytelling and holds profound spiritual significance for devotees. For pilgrims visiting Tirupati and Tirumala, understanding this divine relationship adds depth to their spiritual experience.
Firstly, the legend underscores the importance of maternal love in spiritual evolution. Vakula Matha’s selfless nurturing of Srinivasa exemplifies the ideal of maternal devotion that transcends even cosmic ages. This resonates deeply with devotees who see maternal love as a reflection of divine care and protection.
Secondly, the fulfillment of the promise made in the Dwapara Yuga reinforces faith in divine justice and the continuity of spiritual relationships across different births. It reassures devotees that sincere devotion never goes unrewarded, even if the fulfillment comes in a different cosmic age.
Thirdly, the legend highlights the significance of mediation in divine access. Just as Vakula Matha mediated between Srinivasa and King Akasha Raju, many devotees approach Lord Venkateswara through her maternal intercession, believing that the son cannot refuse anything asked by the mother.
Finally, the ritual sequence of offering naivedyam first to Vakula Matha before Lord Venkateswara teaches devotees the importance of respecting the maternal principle even in divine worship. This practice has profound cultural implications in a society that values maternal respect as a cornerstone of spiritual growth.
Temple Rituals Honoring the Divine Relationship
The special relationship between Vakula Matha and Lord Venkateswara is commemorated through several rituals and ceremonial practices at both the Tirumala temple complex and the Vakula Matha temple at Peruru.
At the Tirumala temple, as mentioned earlier, there is a small shrine dedicated to Vakula Matha in the northeast direction of the kitchen. According to temple traditions, she continues to supervise the preparation of food offerings for Lord Venkateswara. The ritual of offering food first to Vakula Matha before presenting it to Lord Venkateswara reinforces this sacred relationship.
At the Vakula Matha temple in Peruru, special abhishekams (ritual bathings of the deity) are performed every Friday. According to Tirumala Tirupati Yatra, “Every Friday they perform Abhishekam and offer poojas. Similarly in Sravana masam during Vara Lakshmi Vratam and on Makara Sankranti day as well as the day that follows Makara Sankranti known as the ‘Kanuma’ festival, Vakula Matha gets Panchaamruta Abhishekam that too on a very grand scale.”
These ritual practices not only honor the divine mother but also serve as a constant reminder of the sacred bond between the divine mother and son, reinforcing the spiritual message of the legend for contemporary devotees.
Archaeological and Historical Context
While the legend of Vakula Matha is primarily rooted in spiritual narratives, there are interesting archaeological findings that provide historical context to the worship of Vakula Matha in the Tirupati region.
According to archaeological officials cited by TripPyBug, an inscription found at the Vakula Matha temple site dates back to the reign of Kolutunga Chola I (around 1101 AD). The inscription, though damaged, seems to document the establishment of deities in a sanctuary at Peruru, suggesting that the site may have had religious significance even before the construction of the present temple about 300 years ago.
These archaeological findings, while not directly validating the mythological narrative, provide evidence of the long-standing religious traditions associated with the site and underscore the historical depth of worship practices in the region.
Contemporary Relevance and Devotional Practices
The legend of Vakula Matha continues to inspire contemporary devotional practices among pilgrims visiting Tirupati and Tirumala. Many devotees make it a point to visit the Vakula Matha temple at Peruru before proceeding to Tirumala, following the principle of seeking the mother’s blessings before approaching the son.
According to devotional guides, some pilgrims follow a specific sequence in their pilgrimage: first visiting Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy (who instructed Vakula Devi to care for Srinivasa), then paying homage to Vakula Matha at Peruru, and finally ascending the Tirumala hills to have darshan of Lord Venkateswara. This sequence honors the mythological narrative and the spiritual relationships it portrays.
Special prayers for maternal blessings, family harmony, and successful marriages are often offered at the Vakula Matha temple, reflecting the specific aspects of the divine relationship highlighted in the legend. These contemporary practices demonstrate how ancient mythological narratives continue to shape living religious traditions.
A Timeless Tale of Divine Maternal Love
The legend of how Vakula Matha became Lord Venkateswara’s foster mother stands as a timeless testament to the power of maternal love and divine promise. Spanning cosmic ages, this sacred narrative connects the devotees of today with the divine drama that unfolded on the sacred hills of Venkatadri.
The story reminds us that even divine beings honor maternal love and fulfill promises made to mothers. It reinforces the cultural value of respecting and honoring mothers as a pathway to spiritual growth. For pilgrims visiting Tirupati and Tirumala, understanding this divine relationship adds profound depth to their spiritual experience.
As devotees continue to honor Vakula Matha before approaching Lord Venkateswara, they participate in a living tradition that connects present religious practices with ancient mythological narratives. In this way, the legend of Vakula Matha remains not just a story from the past but a living spiritual reality that continues to inspire devotion and faith in the present.
In the words inscribed on a stone plaque at the Vakula Matha temple: “The mother’s love is the mirror in which even gods see their divine reflection.” This eternal truth, embodied in the legend of Vakula Matha, continues to illuminate the spiritual path for countless devotees seeking divine grace through maternal blessings.
About the Author:
Sri Ananth Kumar Iyengar is a professional storyteller and writer with a deep passion for Indian mythology. For over two decades, he has delved into the legends and lore of temples across India, with a special focus on Tirumala. His writings bring to life the divine tales of Lord Venkateswara and the spiritual history of Tirupati. Known for his engaging storytelling style, Iyengar’s blogs provide readers with a profound understanding of the temple’s historical and mythological importance.
Email: ananth.iyengar@vidzone.in
