Trailanga Swami - The Walking Shiva

Dadi: "Guddu, do you know why millions of people visit Tirupati temple every year?"

Guddu: "To pray to God?"

Dadi: "Yes, but there's also an amazing story about Lord Venkateshwara owing money! Can you imagine - God in debt?"

Guddu: "God owing money? That's impossible!"

Dadi: "Listen carefully, beta. Once, there was a sage named Bhrigu who went to test the three great gods. When he visited Lord Vishnu, he found him resting on his serpent bed. Vishnu didn't notice him, so Bhrigu got angry and kicked him right in the chest!"

Guddu: "He kicked God? That's so rude!"

Dadi: "It was! But instead of getting angry, Lord Vishnu apologized and started pressing Bhrigu's feet, asking if his foot was hurt. This made Goddess Lakshmi furious - her husband had been disrespected! She left Vaikuntha in anger."

Guddu: "Where did she go?"

Dadi: "She was later born as Princess Padmavati in a king's palace. Lord Vishnu also came to earth as a young man named Srinivasa to find her."

Guddu: "Like a love story!"

Dadi: "Yes, beta! But when Srinivasa asked to marry Padmavati, the king said, "You must pay for the entire wedding and give a big dowry!" But Srinivasa had no money."

Guddu: "What did he do?"

Dadi: "He went to Kubera, the god of wealth, and asked for a loan. Kubera agreed to give him fourteen lakh gold coins - but on one condition: Srinivasa could never return to heaven until the loan was repaid!"

Guddu: "That's a LOT of money!"

Dadi: "It was! The wedding happened, and Lord Vishnu has lived on that hill in Tirupati ever since as Lord Venkateshwara - also called Balaji - waiting for the debt to be paid."

Guddu: "Is that why people donate money there?"

Dadi: "Exactly, Guddu! Devotees believe that by donating money, they're helping Lord Vishnu repay his debt so he can return to Vaikuntha. And in return, they believe the Lord gives them back ten times what they offer!"

Guddu: "So he's been waiting thousands of years?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. That's why Tirupati is the richest temple in India - millions of people come to help their beloved God."

Guddu: "It's like when I borrowed money from you for ice cream, Dadi. I had to wait until my birthday to pay you back!"

Dadi: "*laughs* Exactly! But remember, even God took a loan when he needed help. There's no shame in asking for help when you need it - the important thing is to always pay back what you owe."

Guddu: "And maybe give ten times back!"

Dadi: "That's the spirit! Now, shall we put a coin in your piggy bank for Lord Venkateshwara?"