 It is said that the srinivasa turns into Stone right when he was encountered by Lakshmi and Padmavathi.Brahma and Shiva appear before the confused queens and explain the main purpose behind all this - The Lord's desire to be on the 7 hills for the emancipation of mankind from the perpetual troubles of Kali Yuga.Goddesses Lakshmi and Padmavathi also turn into stone deities expressing their wish to be with their always.