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The story unfolds with Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari embodying the highest form of Shakti, as she confronts the formidable demon Bhandasura, weaving a saga of divine power and cosmic balance.
Characters in the story:
Kamadeva: Kamadeva is the Hindu god of love and desire, who wields a bow of sugarcane and shoots flower-tipped arrows to inspire feelings of love and attraction in beings.
Bhandasura: Bhandasura, born from the ashes of the love god Kamadeva, rose as a formidable demon granted immense power by Lord Shiva, challenging even the gods.
Lord Shiva: Lord Shiva holds significant prominence in Hinduism as a prominent deity, revered for his role as the vanquisher of malevolence and the catalyst of universal change. Depicted in various forms, he is often portrayed as a tranquil ascetic engaged in deep meditation or as the divine dancer, adorned with a third eye, an entwined serpent around his neck, and a trident grasped firmly in his hand.
Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari: Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari is the manifestation of Goddess Shakti, symbolizing cosmic harmony and grace. She embodies the ultimate divine expression, transcending human understanding with her indescribable power and allure.
Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari, more commonly called Goddess Tripura Sundari, embodies the ultimate manifestation of Goddess Shakti, transcending human expression. The powers and allure of Goddess Tripura Sundari are indescribable; she exists beyond the realm of imagination.
Her story intertwines with the figure of the demon Bhandasura. Bhandasura emerged from the ashes of Kamadeva, the God of Love and Lust, who was engulfed in flames due to his disruption of Shiva’s meditation. As Kamadeva’s wife, Rati, sought redemption through prayers. Shiva gazed at the ashes, giving rise to Bhandasura.
Bhandasura undertook rigorous penance to appease Lord Shiva, receiving boons that caused any opponent to lose half of their strength and masculinity upon confronting him. He was granted rulership over the demon city Shunyaka with a promise of unopposed universal dominion for sixty thousand years.
Fearing his might, no deity, mortal, or demon dared to challenge him. He fathered two brothers, Vishukra and Vishanga, as well as his sister, Dhumini. He also conjured four wives, who bore him thirty sons and a daughter named Rashmi Prabha.
Terrified by his potent blessings, the gods of the cosmos withdrew into seclusion, venerating Goddess Parashakti during Bhandasura’s uncontested reign, while he indulged in pleasures under Lord Vishnu’s illusion.
Upon learning of the gods’ plot, Bhandasura attacked during their goddess-devoted ritual. In desperation, the gods immolated themselves in a sacrificial fire. After Bhandasura’s departure, Goddess Parashakti incarnated as Goddess Tripura Sundari, resurrecting the celestial beings and reinstating their duties.
She recreated the universe, forming worlds and elements from her bodily components – Earth from her feet, darkness from her hair, and more. Bala Tripurasundari emanated from her heart, Gayatri from Kundalini, Varahi (Dandini) from her ego, Matangi (Mantrini or Shyamala) from her intellect, Sampatkari from her Ankusha (goad), and Ashwaroodha from her Pasha (noose). Deities like Nakuleshwari and Jwalamalini also emerged.
Since Shakti is inseparable from Shiva, Lord Shiva manifested as Kameshwara, assuming the role of Goddess Tripura Sundari’s husband. On this unique occasion, Lord Shiva took on a remarkably attractive appearance, adorned with splendid attire and precious gems.
Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari waged war against Bhandasura, leading an army capable of defeating him and the inhabitants of Shunyaka. Her forces were commanded by Goddess Sampatkari on an elephant and Goddess Ashwaroodha on a horse. She herself engaged in battle on the Sri Chakra, the Chakraraja Chariot, wielding an array of divine and mortal weaponry. Goddess Varahi commanded from the Kiri Chakra, while Goddess Matangi served as the prime minister from the Geya Chakra.
Fortune favored Goddess Lalita. Her daughter Bala Tripurasundari slew all thirty of Bhandasura’s sons, Matangi dispatched his brother Vishanga, and Varahi triumphed over Vishukra. Yet, before his demise, Vishukra placed a jaya-vighna-yantra, paralyzing everyone except Lalita, Bala, Kameshwara Shiva, Matangi, and Varahi. United with her consort Kameshwara, Lalita created Maha Ganapati to dismantle Vishukra’s yantra, reviving the goddesses. Additionally, she gave birth to Maha Subramanya (the highest form of Kartikeya).
Bhandasura resurrected demons vanquished by Vishnu in his seven incarnations. Goddess Tripura Sundari summoned each Dashavatar incarnation from her fingernails, ending the demons’ menace.
Goddess Tripura Sundari thwarted every assault by the demon, obliterating his army with the Maha-Pashupatastra. She ultimately slew Bhandasura and destroyed Shunyaka with the Kameshwarastra. Bhandasura’s demise led to the Goddess resurrecting Kamadeva from his ashes, restoring Rati’s marital bond and bringing harmony to the universe.
In triumph, Goddess Tripura Sundari vanquished Bhandasura and restored cosmic harmony, reuniting Kamadeva and Rati. Her valor and grace echoed throughout the realms, etching her legend in the annals of divine history.
