The story of Shankukarna

Lord Sri Venkateshwara’s wife Padmavati is bemused seeing TB and wife’s prayers for 3rd kid. Padmavati asks the Lord why TB family is asking for more when they already have a son and a daughter. Then, the Lord informs they are just puppets in the whole show. He then gives her the big picture:

Once, long, long ago, in the world of Gods (devalok aka Vaikuntam), Lord Vishnu was displaying all his 10 Avatars to all concerned angels and Gods. For each of the Avatar, Lord Brahma took flowers from the plate offered by his aide Shankukarna and poured them on Vishnu’s feet, appreciating him of his feat. Each person being completely immersed in Vishnu’s Avatar, no one noticed that the flowers in Shankukarna’s flower plate was fast becoming empty. When Vishnu displayed his Rama Avatar, Lord Brahma reached out to the flower-plate held by Shankukarna, although his eyes were riveted on Lord Vishnu. When he got no flowers from the flower-plate, he cursed Shankukarna to be born 4 times and the first birth being in the family of Demons. Since Shankukarna had failed in his duty to ensure that the flower-plate is always never empty, Brahma thought that the curse would serve as a punishment to Shankukarna.

Needless to say, Shankukarna was shocked beyond belief. He pleaded not guilty and informed how he too was mesmerized by Vishnu’s Avatars due to which he had not concentrated on the emptying flower plate. But a curse given is a curse given and cannot be revoked.

Lord Vishnu noticing this, informed everyone present (including Shankukarna and Brahma) that the curse was destined to be so. It is due to this curse that a pious lad called Prahallad will be born in the house of the Demon Hiranyakashipu. Since Shankukarna was devastated by this news, Vishnu consoles him that Prahallad will still be a hard-core Vishnu devotee and he will become famous because of his devotion.

Thus, Prahallad was born. The second birth of Shankukarna was as a Bahalik King. Third was as Vyaasaraja Theertha and the fourth destined life was about to be born in the womb of TB’s wife. Hence TB and his wife were cleansing their mind and body by coming to Tirumala and performing the poojas.

Padmavati is satisfied with Lord Sri Venkateshwara’s response.

Note: It seems to be a mistake in the story (or in the direction of this episode) that Vishnu was showing off all 10 Avatars when apparently Prahallad himself – who is an integral part of Narasimha Avatar (#4) - was not born! The story in this link seems to be a better story. In fact, also refer this complete link for complete life and story of Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy which is very well written.