Bhrigu Kicks Vishnu - Lakshmi Departs

Dadi: "Beta, do you know why the famous Tirupati temple is so special? Why millions of people visit it every year?"

Guddu: "Because God is there, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Yes! But there's an amazing story about how Lord Vishnu came to stay at Tirupati - and it all started with a kick!"

Guddu: "A kick? Someone kicked God?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta! A great sage named Bhrigu kicked Lord Vishnu right on his chest! But let me tell you the whole story."

Guddu: "Please, Dadi! Why would anyone kick God?"

Dadi: "It started when a group of sages were performing a sacred ritual. They got into a big debate: Who is the greatest among the three main gods - Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva?"

Guddu: "That's a tough question!"

Dadi: "It is! So they decided to test all three by sending Sage Bhrigu. His job? To deliberately disrespect each god and see who showed the most patience and forgiveness!"

Guddu: "That's a risky plan!"

Dadi: "Very risky, beta. First, Bhrigu went to Brahmaloka to meet Lord Brahma, his own father. He walked in without showing any respect and even insulted Brahma in front of everyone."

Guddu: "What happened?"

Dadi: "Brahma was furious! His third eye began to glow with anger. Bhrigu had to run away to save himself from his father's curse!"

Guddu: "Oops! What about Lord Shiva?"

Dadi: "Bhrigu then went to Mount Kailash. When he met Shiva, instead of greeting him respectfully, he spoke harsh, insulting words in front of Mother Parvati."

Guddu: "Oh no..."

Dadi: "Lord Shiva's famous third eye began to open in fury! Fire started to emerge! Once again, Bhrigu had to flee to escape destruction!"

Guddu: "Two angry gods! What about Lord Vishnu?"

Dadi: "Bhrigu arrived at Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu's heavenly abode. He found Vishnu sleeping peacefully on his serpent bed, with Goddess Lakshmi sitting at his feet, gently massaging them."

Guddu: "So what did Bhrigu do?"

Dadi: "Without any hesitation, he walked right up to the sleeping Lord and kicked him hard - right on his chest! That's the very place where Goddess Lakshmi resides. It's called Srivatsa, the most sacred spot!"

Guddu: "That's so disrespectful! Was Vishnu angry?"

Dadi: "This is the beautiful part, beta. Lord Vishnu immediately woke up. But instead of getting angry, he fell at Bhrigu's feet! He said: "O great sage, did my hard chest hurt your soft foot? I hope your foot is not injured. Please forgive me!""

Guddu: "He apologized? Even though he was the one who got kicked?"

Dadi: "Yes! That's the humility of Lord Vishnu. Bhrigu was overwhelmed. He declared: "Lord Vishnu is supreme among all gods, for only he has perfect patience and no ego!""

Guddu: "So Vishnu won the test! But what about Goddess Lakshmi?"

Dadi: "Ah, here's where the story takes a turn. Lakshmi was not happy at all! The place where Bhrigu kicked was her eternal home on Vishnu's chest. She felt deeply insulted."

Guddu: "What did she do?"

Dadi: "She was also upset that Vishnu didn't defend her honor. In her anger, she pronounced a curse: "From this day forward, I will never stay in any Brahmin's house!" Since Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, this is why traditional Brahmin priests often live simple lives without much money."

Guddu: "Then what happened?"

Dadi: "Heartbroken and hurt, Lakshmi left Vaikuntha and came down to Earth, settling in a place called Kolhapur in Maharashtra."

Guddu: "Did Lord Vishnu just let her go?"

Dadi: "No, beta! When Vishnu realized Lakshmi had left, he was devastated. He came to Earth to search for his beloved wife. He was so sad that he began meditating in the hills of Tirumala - the Seven Hills."

Guddu: "What happened then?"

Dadi: "His meditation was so deep that an anthill formed over him! A devoted cow, sensing the divine presence within, began pouring her milk over the anthill as an offering."

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "Eventually, Lakshmi was reborn on Earth as Princess Padmavati. When Vishnu - now known as Lord Venkateswara or Srinivasa - found her, he wanted to marry her. But there was a problem."

Guddu: "What problem?"

Dadi: "The wedding would be very expensive, and since Lakshmi had left him, Vishnu had no wealth! So he borrowed money from Kubera, the god of treasures."

Guddu: "God borrowed money?"

Dadi: "Yes! And the loan was so large that Kubera made one condition: Vishnu would stay at Tirupati until every last coin was repaid!"

Guddu: "Is that why he's still there?"

Dadi: "Exactly, beta! That's why Lord Venkateswara remains at Tirupati to this day. And every devotee who visits and offers donations is helping repay that ancient loan!"

Guddu: "That's why Tirupati gets so many donations!"

Dadi: "Yes! Eventually, Lakshmi forgave everyone and returned to reside in Vishnu's heart forever. She even removed her curse - any Brahmin who worships Lord Vishnu with true devotion would be blessed."

Guddu: "What does this story teach us, Dadi?"

Dadi: "So many things, beta! First, true greatness is shown through patience and humility, not anger - Vishnu proved this by apologizing to someone who kicked him. Second, even gods face consequences for their actions - Vishnu had to search for Lakshmi and remains in debt to this day. And third, forgiveness eventually heals all wounds - Lakshmi returned when she understood the bigger picture."

Guddu: "I'll try to be patient like Lord Vishnu, Dadi, even when someone is mean to me."

Dadi: "That's the spirit, beta! And maybe one day, we'll visit Tirupati together and help repay that divine loan!"