Lalitopakhyanam

It is the most important section of this Purana. The narration is written in the form of
conversation between Hayagreeva and the sage Agastya. Hayagreeva in this context is a
seer. There is a celestial of the same name. ho are they! e get the reply for this also
in the text.There is a detailed description in the book establishing the harmonious
synthesis of the aspects of the three deities "hiva# $ishnu and the %ivine &other. In the
past several devotees used to daily recite Lalitopakhyana# the detailed story of Lalita.
This pious story contains the inner meanings of the several technical terms of the
spiritual science and the finer aspects of the &antra "hastra 'the science of holy chants(.
Let us en)oy the feast of nectar by listening to this pious story with deep devotion.

Penance of Agastya. Long ago# the mountain $indhya 'central India( started growing
upward in gigantic proportion due to egoism. The sage Agastya decided to subdue the
pride of $indhya. *or this purpose# he came from $aranasi '+ttara Pradesh# India( and
settled in "outh India. ,y the divine presence of the sage Agastya# the entire "outhIndia
gradually became prosperous and pious. -ventually the ali /uga started 'As per the
tradition of India# ali /uga is the fourth Age# the others being ruta# Treta and
%vapara(. In spite of the severe inspection ofthe sage Agastya# the evil traits of the ali

/uga started
pilgrimage. sprouting
The strange slowly. 0oting this
and unrighteous trend#
ways thepeople
of the sage felt
madesadhim
and1uite
proceeded on a
unhappy.
There was rampant selfishness and sensuousness prevalent everywhere. 2How can
thesepeople attain liberation!3 4 This was his nagging grief. After reaching anchi
'Tamil 0adu 4 "outh India( he was unable to bear the burden of the grief# and
performed severe penance meditating on $aradara)a 'The ,est of the boon givers 4 a
synonym of $ishnu(. 5od6s ways are mysterious7 His power of illusion is
incomprehensible7 $ishnu appeared to the sage in the form of Hayagreeva.

Agastya asked Hayagreeva 28hLord7 hat is the path of salvation to these ignorant
people3!

Hayagreeva replied 2There are two paths for this. They are9

a( After renouncing everything# one can attain the knowledge of the# attributeless aspect
of 5od. This is a very difficult way.

b( The second method is to worship the %ivine &other who is the form of $ishnu with
attributes. -ven a sinner can do the worship. There is another advantage in this type.
The devotee can simultaneously get en)oyment and salvation by following this path3.
*urther# $ishnu ordered to the sage Agastya 2/ou have to propagate this divine secret in
the entire world3.

The sage asked# 2Lord $ishnu7 indly narrate the story of Para "hakti 'The
+ltimatePower# the %ivine &other( who is your aspect with attributes 3.

At this stage# $ishnu asked sage Hayagreeva 'born with the Lord6s aspects( to tell the
detailed story to Agastya.

2The %ivine &other emanated from meditation of ,rahma 'the :reator(. Her name
then was Prakruti 'The nature(. &ohini Avatara. *or the second time# the %ivine
&other manifested as &ohini at the time of the churning the ocean by the celestials and
the demons 'to obtain Amruta;nectar(. Let us see how it happened.

8nce upon a time# Indra 'the Lord of the Heaven was overpowered by the pride of his
prosperity. His reverence to even "hiva gradually diminished. 8bserving this# "hiva
asked the sage %urvasa to meet Indra in the Heaven. The sage started taking the path of
5andharvas 'the celestial singers(# which was very beautiful. The sage appeared uglier
than a beggar. Anyway he proceeded ahead pompously. 8n the way the sage saw a
celestial lady holding a fragrant garland of divine flowers. The ugly looking sage asked
the beautiful lady# 2here did you get this garland3!

"he observed him keenly and realised that he was a sage. "he prostrated to him and
replied humbly 2"ir7 I am )ust now returning after doing the worship of the %ivine
&other# who manifested and gave me this garland as Prasadam3. <umping )oyously# the
sage asked her to give the garland to him. "he happily handed it over to the sage and#
prostrated to him. The sage blessed her 2&ay your devotion to the %ivine mother be
firm3. Taking leave of the sage# she went away. ,y this incident# the sage realised that it
was not difficult to others to recognise him# even if he was in any ugly appearance. He
was satisfied with this thought and proceeded further.

After a while# he saw Indra riding the elephant Iravata. The sage approached Indra#
who did not appear to recognise and prostrate to the sage. However# the sage did not get
angry and said# 2Indra7 This is the garland given by the %ivine &other Herself. Take it.
"aying so# the sage presented the garland to Indra. Indra didn6t refuse. He received the
garland with disgust and threw the same on the head of the elephant# which proceeded
ahead. A little latter# the elephant threw down the garland with its trunk and trampled
over it. Looking at this# the sage %urvasa became very furious and cursed Indra# 28h7
-goistic fellow7 /ou have not recognised me. 0ot only that. /ou have not even respected
the Prasadam of the %ivine mother. %ue to this# &ay your prosperity vanish73 ith
these words# Indra6s pride was humbled. He got down the elephant and prostrated to
the feet of the angry sage %urvasa. However# the sage went away silently.

Then Indra6s troubles started one by one. He saw bad omens in the Heaven. Afraid of
them# Indra asked the sage ,ruhaspati 'the "piritual &aster of the celestials( to reveal
the cause of the bad omens. The sage replied# 2The effect of your sins follows you as a
shadow. "aying so# the sage narrated a fine story.

Long long ago# there was a thief by name $a)ra in anchipuram 'Tamil 0adu# "outh
India(. He used to steal small things and gradually amassed large 1uantum of money. As
the wealth accumulated considerably# he wanted to hide it safely and went to the nearby
forest to do so. In a dense part of the forest# he dug a deep pit and secured the money
there in. However# a hunter by name $eeradanta# sitting on a tall tree observed all this#
1uite unexpectedly. After the thief has left the place# the hunter dug out the pit and after
taking only one tenth of the money# he covered the pit# without causing any doubt to
anyone. The hunter6s wife saw the money and knowing how her husband got it# she said#
2It is customary that many ,rahmanas visit the home of my parents. henever they
saw me# they used to forecast 2/ou will get rich 1uite suddenly. Their prediction came
true now3. The hunter $eeradanta planned to purchase meat and wine with the money.
However his wife said# 2The ,rahmana visitors of my parents6 home used to tell
something more. They cautioned that hard;earned money only will give durable
en)oyment and that the easy money was sinful. Hence let us use this unexpected and
unearned money for charities. After prolonged discussions# the wife6s opinion won. Then
$eeradanta selected a place of water scarcity and arranged the digging a big water tank
for public use. hile the work was in progress# further plans were made and
accordingly# he started the construction of temples for $ishnu and "hiva by the side of
the tank. hen the pro)ects were half way# the money was exhausted. Hence $eeradanta
started spying to find out the several places at which the thief $a)ra was hiding the
stolen wealth. ithout causing any doubt to the thief# the hunter used to take out money
little by little from the pits and continued the construction without interruptions. Along
with this# he started to donate the money. However the hunter did not use the money for
himself or his family. Thus# constantly encouraged by his wife# his charities developed.
The ,rahmanas of anchi were glad and gave the titles 2%vi)avarma3 and 2"hilavati3
to the hunter and his wife.

These titles eventually became their names in vogue. "ome time later# the hunter
planned and constructed a city. Instead of giving it his own name# the hunter named it
as 2%evaratapura3# as a mark of respect to his guru 2%evarata3. After a few years# the
hunter and his wife died at the same time. The messengers of /ama 'The 5od of death
and the Lord of Hell(# and "hiva and $ishnu arrived to takeaway the <ivas 'the subtle
form of life of the dead(. Their debate as to who can take the <ivas could not be settled.
At that time# the sage 0arada arrived there. He asked the three groups of messengers to
stop the arguments and revealed another aspect of the code of righteousness thus# 2The
hunter has performed the deeds of merit 'Punya( like charities# with the money stolen
by him. Hence as per the rules of righteousness# he must move about in the form of a
ghost until the death of all the owners of the stolen wealth. Hence none of you have the
right to take away the <iva. 20ext# his wife was great. "he didn6t commit any sin. As she
was a devotee of "hiva# the messengers of the Lord can take away her <iva. 3Listening
to this ruling# "hilavati6s <iva sat down obstinately# saying 2I won6t go to ailasha# the
abode of "hiva# leaving my husband in the form of a ghost3. "he prayed to the sage
0arada# 2"ir7 indly direct me what I have to do to unburden my husband6s sins3.

0arada was very much pleased with her chastity and fidelity and gave initiation of
"hiva mantra 'chant( to her. ,y her penance# the husband and wife attained the grace of
"hiva and were accepted to stay in ailasha '"hiva6s abode(. "ometime later# the thief
$a)ra and the persons from whom he stole the money died. All the <ivas reached the
Hell# the abode of /ama# the god of death# He asked all of them to assemble and said#
2Though you did not intend to do the acts of Punya 'merit(# they were performed with
your money. Hence you are eligible to stay in ailasha 'abode of "hiva( for sometime.
Hence I ask you whether you choose to experience either the effect of Punya 'merit( or
Papa 'sin( in the first instance. They replied in chorus 2we opt to experience the effect of
merit first. ,y doing so# we will have a chance of association with the pious which in
turn will wipe out past sins3. /ama felt glad by their choice and sent them all as the
attendants of %vi)avarma at ailasha. ,y his good association# all their sins were
washed off and they settled in ailasha happily.

Preaching of ,ruhaspati. After narrating the story# ,ruhaspati said# 2Indra7 0ow you
think of your sins3. Indra once again prostrated to the sage and re1uested. 2"ir7 I am
unable to realise my sins. indly give me details3.
,ruhaspati replied 2In the distant past# =%iti6# the second wife of ashyapa gave birth to
a son by name %anu and a daughter named >upavati. %anu is the predecessor of the
race of %anavas 'demons(. >upavati was married to ,rahma 'the :reator(. Her son was
$ishwarupa. He did severe penance. He had many divine aspects. However he was a
nephew of the demons. He was affectionate towards both the races 4 the celestials and
the demons. After a while# Indra chose $ishwarupa as his 5uru 'at that time#
,ruhaspati was not the 5uru of the celestials(. Indra expected that $ishwarupa would
be partial towards the celestials and that he would destroy the demons. However
$ishwarupa was friendly towards all. 8bserving this# Indra suspected that being a
friend of the demons# $ishwarupa was harming the celestials. 8ne day# Indra suddenly
went to $ishwarupa and cut off all his three heads. ,y doing so# Indra was afflicted by
the sin of ,rahmahatya 'killing ,rahmana(. 0ot only that. Aggrieved by the death of
His son# ,rahma 'the :reator( cursed Indra.

Terrified by these two ',rahmahatya and curse of ,rahma(# Indra accompanied by all
the celestials# sought refuge at the feet of $ishnu# who contemplated deeply and
allocated the effect of Indra6s sins to the earth# the trees and the women. As
compensation# $ishnu gave the power that the pits of earth could be filled up# the power
that even the trees once cut off could revive and the power of women to beget children.
Thus Indra was relieved of the effect of the sin of ,rahmahatya 'killing a ,rahmin(.

However# the curse of ,rahma 'the :reator( still persisted. $ishnu called for ,rahma
and re1uested Him on behalf of Indra for relief from the curse. ,rahma thought over
the same and said# 28. *or the present my curse won6t take effect3. $ishnu said
nothing. Again Indra became prosperous. However# very soon his pride increased. This
time# Indra was affected by the anger of "hiva and so he was cursed by the sage
%urvasa3. Listening to all this# Indra recollected the past events and sadly asked
,ruhaspati 2&aster7 hat have I to do now3!

hen the guru was about to reply# a demon named &alaka invaded the Heaven with a
huge army and sei?ed the kingdom. Indra had to escape in a great hurry. He went
straight to ,rahma and prayed to Him for mercy# who also pitied Indra. However even
the :reator could not decide what to do and approached $ishnu along with Indra and
the celestials.

$ishnu thought of the problem deeply and advised them# 2/ou churn the ocean to get
the 5oddess of prosperity3.

*or this purpose# Indra made reconciliation with the demons and taking their help# he
and the celestials churned the ocean. %uring the churning# very valuable things
emanated from the ocean. At last# %hanvantari 'the 5od of Healing( came out holding
the pot of Amruta 'nectar(. Looking at him# the demons grabbed the pot and started
running away with it. A bitter battle started between the celestials and the demons.
There was utter confusion. -ven ,rahma and "hiva escaped and reached their abodes.
8bserving all this# $ishnu went to a secluded spot and started meditation of "ri Lalita
%evi# who dwells within Him as the aspect of power. %ue to this meditation he
manifested as a form of Lalita %evi. Taking this incarnation as an embodiment of
eroticism# $ishnu approached the celestials and demons. The celestials could realise the
form as divine and auspicious.
However# due to their predominating trait of Tamas 'ignorance(# the demons were
enchanted by the beauty of the form and stopped fighting. "he mesmerised them and
took the pot of Amruta 'nectar( from them# taking their consent to her to serve the
nectar to all. "he asked the celestials and the demons to sit in separate rows. "he started
to give the nectar to the celestials only first. Allured by her# the demons sat still
stupefied. ,y the time the nectar was given to the celestials# the stock exhausted. "he
disappeared suddenly. The demons again started to fight with the celestials. However as
the celestials have already drunk the nectar by then# the demons were defeated.

Thus# the %ivine &other who manifested and enchanted the demons was called
&8HI0I 'the divine enchantress(. "hiva# staying in ailasha came to know of these
events and wanted to note the specialty of the new form of $ishnu. Along with his
consort Parvati# "hiva went to $aikuntha# the abode of $ishnu and pressed Him tos how
the form of &ohini. $ishnu suddenly disappeared without saying yes or no. hile "hiva
was searching for $ishnu# he happened to reach a new place where he continued to
search. There he heard the music of $eena. He saw a beautiful young lady. +nable to
resist this infatuation# "hiva embraced her. At once a son was born. He was named
"A"TA 'one who rules(. He became a commander in "hiva6s army. At once the lady
disappeared. "hiva realised that she was none else than &ohini# a form of $ishnu. He
applauded her beauty and returned to ailasha along with Parvati. Thus the %ivine
&other incarnated as &ohini and granted success of the activities of the celestials.

Agastya heard the story and said# 2Hayagreeva7 indly let me know in detail which
form of Para "hakti 'The %ivine &other# the "upreme Power( will bestow both food and
salvation to the devotees in the ali /uga3.

Hayagreeva replied# 2Lalita %evi isthe only 5oddess who has the power to do so. Listen
to her story3.In the distant past# "ati %evi# a daughter of %aksha was married to "hiva.
However gradually# %aksha developed hatred towards "hiva. %ue to this ill will# %aksha
intended to perform a /aga 'fire sacrifice( without making any offering to "hiva. He
didn6t invite even his daughter "ati %evi to the /aga. "he came to know of the forth;
coming great /aga to be done by her father. "he didn6t know other details. However#
over)oyed by the news of the ritual her father was going to perform# he went to the
/aga# in spite of "hiva6s disapproval of her visit. "ati %eha Tyaga '"elf;immolation of
"ati( Ignoring the natural affection to his daughter# %aksha insulted her and repeatedly
abused "hiva. +nable to bear the insult to "hiva# "ati %evi burnt her body in the fire
created by her power of yoga. nowing about this calamity# "hiva became furious.
:reating the terrific $eerabhadra out of the locks of hair of His head# "hiva sent him to
attack %aksha. $eerabhadra destroyed the hall of /aga# swallowed even the :hakra 'the
circular weapon of $ishnu( and beheaded %aksha. The wives of %aksh aprayed to
$eerabhadra who was pacified and revived %aksha back to life by )oining he head of a
goat to the trunk. %aksha repented and prayed to "hiva for pardon. "ati %evi was born
as the daughter of Himavanta 'Himalaya &ountain( and &enaka# as the couple did
penance for @B million years with the intention to beget her as their child. The newborn
was named Parvati 'daughter of Parvata;mountain( and brought Her up with love and
affection.

8ne day# the sage 0arada visited Himavanta and said# 2/ou are very fortunate. The
%ivine &other is born as your daughterC "hiva is doing penance in your mountain
range in his 2"thanu Ashrama3 'abode of stones(. After the departure of "ati %evi# He
has become an ascetic. It will benefit you considerably if you send your daughter o serve
Him3. Himavanta6s )oy knew no bounds on hearing 0arada6s words. He went to the
abode of "hiva along with his daughter. After taking 0andi6s 'the 8x which is the
vehicle of "hiva( permission# he approached "hiva# worshipped Him and prayed to Him
to allow Parvati to serve him. "hiva said# 28. "he may do so3. Then onwards# Parvati
used to render services to "hiva for hours together. However# "hiva used to be in a state
of ecstasy of yoga continuously. ama %ahana ',urning of :upid(

This being so# a demon by name Taraka invaded and occupied the Heaven along with
his army and started to hurt and pester the celestials. All of them approached ,rahma
for relief# who said# 2The son born to "hiva and Parvati only can kill the demon. Hence
you make such efforts that the marriage will be performed3. Indra# the Lord of the
celestials called for &anmatha ':upid 4 the 5od of love(. He praised :upid and asked
him to see that "hiva6s ascetic attitude was lessened and that He would start to love
Parvati.

&anmatha was exuberated by praises and agreed to do as directed. >ati devi# the
spouse of &anmatha came to know of this new assignment and tried her best to
dissuade cupid from embarking on the ha?ardous venture. In spite of it# :upid

proceeded
atmospheretoof"hiva6s abode
the spring 2"thanu
season. TheAshrama3. There'the
Pramathaganas he suddenly
armies ofcreated
"hiva( the
werealluring
very
much disturbed in their minds with the erotic feelings. 8bserving this# 0andi '8x;the
vehicle of "hiva( disciplined them. In the meantime# :upid entered the abode of "hiva
stealthily and saw "hiva seated in the state of ecstasy of meditation. The very sight of
"hiva in the posture suddenly unnerved :upid.

At the same moment# Parvati came there. Looking at Her# :upid recovered his courage.
hile Parvati was getting up after bending low to prostrate to "hiva# Her upper
garment slipped a bit. -xactly at that moment# &anmatha aimed an arrow 'of lust( on
"hiva# whose mind was affected a bit. 8bserving this# Parvati feet a gush of )oy
inwardly. However "hiva analysed His feeling immediately and looked around to know
why it happened so. "hiva saw :upid hiding behind the bushes. At once# "hiva6s third
eye 'in between the eyebrows( opened and the fire rushing there from reduced :upid to
ashes. Parvati closed her eyes out of fear. ,y the time "he opened Her eyes in a moment#
"hiva disappeared with all His attendants. Himavanta came there# consoled Her and
took Her home. >ati devi wept bitterly due to the death of her husband &anmatha.
$asanta# the god of spring approached >ati devi# consoled her and reminded her of the
curse of ,rahma to &anmatha. :urse of ,rahma to &anmatha.

8nce upon a time# there were two demons by name "unda and +pasunda#who were
brothers. They did penance meditating on ,rahma and obtained a strange boon that
their death could not be caused by anyone else except by themselves only. They were
very much fond of one another. Hence they expected that no mutual harm would be
possible. Thereafter they created havoc by their terrific acts in the three worlds. All the
celestials prayed to ,rahma who thought of a strategy to destroy the demons. He
accumulated the essence of beauty of all the fine things in the world and created a
woman of ex1uisite beauty. As she was created with a gingelly aspect of beauty in
everything# she was called Tilottama 'Tila;gingellyC +ttama;,est( Her beauty enchanted
even the celestials. ,rahma checked up keenly whether her beauty was superb in all
aspects. &anmatha# who happened to be there at that time# wanted to play a practical
)oke. Hence he aimed an arrow 'of lust( at ,rahma. %ue to this# ,rahma forgetting that
she was His daughter chased her lustily. As a last resort# Tilottama started running
taking the form of a deer. ,rahma also followed her in the form of a deer. The celestials
were highly agitated by this untoward event. 8bserving this impending danger# "hiva
manifested as a hunter and holding a bow and arrows came near ,rahma who was in
the form of a deer. Looking at the fierce form of "hiva# ,rahma came to senses. He
prostrated to His feet and prayed for pardon. ,y then# the celestials and Tilottama
arrived there. -veryone was pacified. After taking "hiva6s permission# the celestials sent
Tilottamato meet "unda and +pasunda looking at Tilottama going about in a garden#
both "unda and +pasunda competed to en)oy with her and at last the demons killed one
another. Tilottama returned to ,rahma# who felt happy and sent her to the Heaven with
a permanent status as one of the Apsaras'celestial dancers(.

After the entire affair was over# ,rahma recollected what all had happened and sent for
&anmatha and said 2/ou fellow7 ,linded by the power bestowed to you# how dare you
aim your arrows 'of lust( at one and all# disregarding their age! %o you intend to
destroy the code of righteousness! I am saved of grievous sin due to the timely arrival
and protection of "hiva. Hence# one day you will be burnt to ashes by the fire of "hiva6s
third eye. ,eware7

3Hearing the curse# >ati and &anmatha were frightened and prayed to ,rahma for
relief of the curse. ,rahma regained His composure and said# 2The %ivine &other will
manifest as Lalita devi. "he will marry "hiva. After the marriage# "he will revive
&anmatha to life3

After narrating the story# $asanta 'the god of spring season( consoled >ati devi# saying#
2"ister;in;law7 It is a must for everyone# however great he is# to undergo the suffering of
a curse. However as predicted by ,rahma# my brother &anmatha will be revived to life
soon. +ntil then# be bold and continue to pray to Lalita devi. >ati devi left the place and
followed the advice.

,irth of ,handasura. At this point of time# :hitrakarma# the commander of one of the
>udra 5anas '5ana D troupe( one day started toying with the ash of the burnt
&anmatha and prepared a doll out of it. He took this doll to Lord "hiva. Lord "hiva6s
intentions are indeed unfathomable. As soon as the doll neared Lord "hiva# it sprang to
life and the boy thus born prostrated before Lord "hiva and :hitrakarma.
:hitrakarma was overwhelmed with )oy. He gave the boy the +padesha of "hata;
>udreeya &antra and asked him to undertake penance. hen the penance reached the
stage of fruition# Lord "hiva appeared before him. He asked Lord "hiva to grant him a
special boon 2Anyone who fights against me should immediately lose half of his strength
and that strength should be added to my strength. 0one of the weapons of my
opponents should be able to bind me3 was his re1uest. Immediately Lord "hiva granted
the boon and added# 2I am also bestowing on you the boon of ruling the kingdom for
sixty thousand years3. After giving these boons# Lord "hiva disappeared. He became
surprised and a bit apprehensive by the words of Lord "hiva. ,ut soon he forgot it.

Lord ,rahma# who was witnessing all this# grew frustrated and swore 2,hand3
2,hand3 'meaning shame# shame(. *rom then on# he got the name 2,handa3. ,ecause
of his 1ualities he became an Asura 'demon( and entered the domain of Asuras. This is
how he got the name =,handasura6.

In the mean time# from the remnants of the ash of &anmatha were born two demons 4
$ishukra and $ishanga. These two became the main brothers of ,handasura. In
addition# thousands of >akshasas 'demons( were born out of the ash of &anmatha. All
of them became followers of ,handasura. They formed a strong army of EBB
Akshouhinis 'one Akshouhini consists of F@GB elephants# @B horses and@BJEB
soldiers(. Having come to know about the birth of thousands of >akshasas#
"hukracharya 'the guru of >akshasas( came there and assumed the role of the 5uru for
all those >akshasas and initiated them to undertake regular Anushthanas 'daily rituals(.
He also summoned &aya# the architect;builder of demons and asked him to create a
new city in the province of &ahendra &ountains. He named the city as ="hoonyaka
Pattana6

"hukracharya asked all the demons to move to the new city. He crowned ,handasura as
the king of the newly formed kingdom and made $ishukra and $ishanga the /uvara)as
'princes( of that kingdom. ,handasura had four wives.

@.
F. "ammohini
umudini
E. :hitrangi
K."undari

+nder the guidance of "hukracharya# activities like fire sacrifices# $edic education and
penance went on uninterruptedly in every house. Tormenting of the three worlds9

hen the kingdom was well established# ,handasura called for a meeting of his
brothers and ministers and said9

A( %evatas '5ods( are our enemies. As long as &anmatha was alive# their lineage
continued without any problems. They also en)oyed many pleasures.

,( 0ow# because of our luck# we have taken birth from the ashes of &anmatha. The
gods are trying to see that &anmatha is born again. e should not allow that to
happen. ,efore they try anything like that# we should kill the %evatas.

:( ,ut# if we go in our present form# we can not win. Let us therefore assume the form
of air and enter their bodies. %( After having so entered their bodies# let us dry up their
body fluids# especially the semen.

-( If semen dries up# the strength of other tissues and organs will automatically
diminish. Then they will automatically be annihilated.

*( Let us torment the beings of all the three worlds by entering their bodies in the form
of air and by drying up their body fluids.

Hearing this# the entire army of the demons cheered with )oy. ithout wasting much
time# ,handasura and his army of @BBB Akshouhinis assumed the invisible form of air
and entered the heaven. *irst of all# they entered the minds of the angels and dried up
their mental faculties. "ubse1uently they entered the face of the angels# robbed them of
their beauty and made them ugly looking. All the women and men in the heaven became
impotent and sterile. 0ot only that# their love for one another was also lost. They lost
enthusiasm to do anything. -ven the plants and animals suffered the same fate.

$ishukra# along with his troupes entered ,hooloka 'earth( and meted out the same
treatment to the beings there. People on the planet earth stopped smiling. They lost all
happiness. 0o one had any respect for another. 0o one thought of helping the other.
They lost interest in their activities. The situation was stone;like# devoid of any life and
feelings.

$ishanga# along with his troupes entered >asaatala 'one of the seven netherworlds(. He
created similar havoc there also. In the 0aga Loka 'land of serpents( everyone became
afflicted with grief for no apparent reason. -veryone started hating everyone else.
-veryone became drained of energy and potency. >asa# the fluid principle is the basis
for the accomplishment of the four;fold aims of life 'Purusharthas(. Let us see how.

A. >asa itself is the form of Paramatma# the Almighty.

,. *rom >asa
collectively are as
called created "hukla 'sperm( and "honita 'ovum(. These two are
$eerya.

:. *rom $eerya comes anti 'radiance(# +tsaaha 'enthusiasm(# +llasa'happiness(#

%harma 'righteousness(# %aya 'compassion(# Preeti 'love(#,uddhi 'intellectual
capabilities(# $ikasa 'development(# Parakrama 'valour("hastra $i)nana 'scientific
knowledge(# ala Asakti 'interest in arts(# "oundarya %rishti 'proper concept of beauty(
etc.

%. In plants# the >asa enhances the fire energy# which is hidden in them. 8nly when the
fire energy is harnessed# the plants can branch out and bear flowers and fruits. ,ecause
of this fire principle# the dried logs catch fire easily and burn.

-. The $edas have declared that beings can experience happiness only if >asais present.
*. >asa is nothing but Prana 'vital energy(. 5. Having known all these secrets#
,handasura devised the plan of entering the bodies of all beings in the form of air and
drying them up.

$asanta# the close friend and associate of &anmatha observed this immediately and
consoled >ati '&anmatha6s wife(. He said 2-ven the sun# the moon and the stars have
lost their brilliance. -ven 5oddess Parvati seems to have become dull and has engaged
in Tapas. Therefore# the day when your dead husband will come to life again is not very
far. That day will come very soon. "o# stop grieving.3 8n hearing this# >ati %evi
prepared to undertake penance.

In the heaven# all the %evatas including ,rahma# could not comprehend what was going
on and what had caused the situation. 0ot knowing the remedy for their hardship# they
approached Lord "ri Hari. hen they finally reached the abode of Lord "ri Hari# they
saw that even He was sitting still with his eyes closed. It appeared as though He was
merged in the bliss of "ushupti.
After the angels praised His glory for a long time# Lord "ri Hari slowly opened His eyes.
2hat is this! hy are you all looking drained of your energies!3 asked Lord "ri Hari.
He called everyone by their names and said9

A. /our present condition is due to the invisible foul play of ,handasura.

,. -ven I have lost the affinity for 5oddess Lakshmi. hat to say about other lesser
beings!

:. &yself# ,rahma and >udra are arana Purushas 'causal beings for the manifest
creation(. -ven then# because we are also inhabiting this creation# even we can not
escape the torture of ,handasura. %. There is however one Almighty 5od who is beyond
this manifest ,rahmanda. He is called &aha "hambhu. Parashakti is constantly in His
:ompany.

-. He is devoid of form. He is not dependent on anything. He has nomodifications. He is

greater than the greatest. He is the ultimate.

*. He is not influenced by the foul play of ,handasura# who is born from the ashes of

&anmatha. 5. He
Him and praise can*ollow
Him. rescueme.
us from our difficulties. Therefore# let us all take refuge in

"o saying# "ri Hari led all the angels to the brim of the ,rahmanda '+niverse(. There
was a huge wall like fence there. The angels summoned the celestial elephants to break
the wall. After toiling continuously for one year# a breach was formed in the wall. After
passing through the breach# they saw :hinmaya Akasha# which was 0iralamba
'independent(# 0ira)nana 'untainted( and which was devoid of the five elements. They
all stood in that :hinmaya Akasha and sang the glory of &aha "hambhu# who was of
the form of :hidakasha. Then &aha "hambhu appeared before them. He was dark like
clouds. He had two hands. He was holding a "hoola 'spear( in one hand and a apala
'skull( in the other. He had three eyes. Parashakti also appeared before them. "he was
holding Aksha &ala 'rosary of beads( and Pustaka 'book( in Her hands. "he was bright
and cool like the moon.

The great &aha "hambhu smiled and said

A. I am aware why you have all come here.

,. Pralaya 'destruction( is of three types. 'i( Avaantara Pralaya 'ii( &aha Pralaya and
'iii( ama Pralaya.

:. I am the one who is responsible to rescue the world from &aha Pralaya. $ishnu is the
one who rescues from Aavantara Pralaya. It is Lalita Parameshwari who rescues from
ama Pralaya.

%. These three kinds of Pralaya take place in a cyclic pattern in every alpa. 0ow#
aamika Pralaya has taken place because of the destruction of ama and subse1uently
due to the actions of ,handasura.
-. 8nly Lalita %evi can rescue from this situation. Parashakti alone can create another
Lalita %evi. Therefore# take shelter in her. ,eg her to help you.

Hearing this# the %evatas did not know what to do. They again prayed to &aha
"hambhu to teach them the method of appeasing Parashakti.

&aha "hambhu explained9

A. This is called as &aha /aga. 'great fire sacrifice(

,. I am 'assuming the form of $ayu( the Hota 'the priest who makes the offerings in a
Homa( in this /aga 'fire sacrifice(.

:. &y :hidagni itself is the fire in this /aga.

%. The last of the seven seas# i.e.# <ala "amudra 'ater "ea( has now dried up. The huge
pit so formed itself is the Homa unda 'fire pit where Homa is performed(

-. The remaining six great oceans constitute the six drops of ghee which is used as

offering.
*. "rishti 'creation( is of five types 'i( &anasa "rishti 'ii( <arayavee "rishti 'creation;
taking place through the womb.

5. Human beings(# 'iii( Anda "rishti 'creation taking place through eggs( 'iv( "weda)a
"rishti 'creation taking place through sweat( and 'v( +dbhi))a "rishti 'creation taking
place by sprouting(. These five "rishtis 'creations( are the sacrifice animals in this &aya
/aga.5. ,hoomi 'land(# Parvata 'mountains(# <ala 'water(# $ayu 'air( and Akasha
'space( these five are the substances used in this fire sacrifice. Agni element 'one of the
five elements( being a part of my :hidagni can not be a substance to be offered.

H. At the end of this great fire sacrifice# all of you 'the performers of the /aga( should
)ump in to the Homa unda 'fire pit(. hile doing so# you must possess absolute
devotion.

I. Then# Lalita Parameshwari will manifest.

<. "he will be seated in a chariot called :hakra >a)a >atha.

. "he will create Parabrahma in the name of ameshwara and will have Him as Her
consort.

L. This couple will re;create the entire universe# which will turn out to be more beautiful
than the previous creation.

&. Lalita Parameshwari will bring &anmatha back to life.

0. "he will create four weapons# namely 'i( Ikshu %hanus 4 a bow of sugarcane '&ano
roopekshu kodanda 4 is one of the @BBB names of 5oddess Lalita( 'ii( five Pushpa ,anas
4 flower arrows 'Pancha tanmatrasaayaka is one of the @BBB names(# 'iii( Paasha 4
noose '>aaga svaroopapaashaadhyaa 4 is one of the @BBB names of Lalita( and 'iv(
Ankusha 'a hook# especially an elephant driver6s hook( 'rodha;akaaran kusho))vala is
one of the descriptions of Lalita(

8. ith the help of these weapons# she will destroy ,handasura.

P. "he will bring &anmatha back to life.

. "he will give you fresh bodies.

>. If you all agree# I will begin this great sacrifice myself.

The angels became very pleased and begged &aha "hambhu to be the Hota and carry
on the sacrifice. Parashakti and &aha "hambhu disappeared. The angels also returned
to their abode.

After some time# &aha "hambhunatha# accompanied by Parashakti started chanting

the Lalita &aha &antra and entered the +niverse in the form of the seven;layered $ayu
'air(. Parashakti assumed the form of His riya "hakti 'energy of action(. ith the help

of riya
'water "hakti#
ocean( $ayu totally
became blew the <ala
dry. In"amudra with
the pit thus all hisHe
formed energy. Thethe
kindled <ala "amudra
:hidagni with
the help of fire emanating from the third eye. This Agni raged from the Patala 'a region
in the nether;world( to the ,rahma Loka. He decorated the periphery of the Homa
unda with the stars )ust as one decorates a sacrificial fire pit with flowers. After this#
he performed the /aga as ordained by the $edas. He used the Pralaya &eghas 'clouds
appearing during Pralaya(# namely Pushkala and Aavartakaas "rik and "ruva 'the two
spoons which are used to offer ghee in fire worship(. As the Homa progressed# the
:hidagni emanating from it spread to vast area. He then offered the first six oceans and
then the five;fold creations to this Agni. In the end# the gods too decorated themselves
and sat on the "rik and "ruva# ready to be offered to Agni. &aha "hambhunatha
offered them to Agni. After this# &aha "hambhunatha discarded his $ayu form and
assumed his real form. He then chanted G special mantras and performed G Homas.
&anifestation of Lalita %evi

At the end of the Homa# Lalita %evi came out of the :hidagni Homa unda# seated on a
special chariot called 2:hakra >a)a >atha3. Therefore# we find the descriptions such as
2:hidagnikunda sambhoota3 2%eva kaarya samudyataa3 and 2:hakra >a)a >athaa
>oodha "arvaayudha Parishkritaa3 in Lalita "ahasranama.

The "ri :hakra >a)a >atha had the following dimensions9

A. idth K /o)anas '@ /o)ana is approximately J miles(

,. Height @B /o)anas

:. Parvas 'landings(J in number

%. :hakras 'wheels( 4 the four $edas.

-. Horses 4 the four;fold aims 'Purusharthas(

*. *lag absolute bliss.

5. The seat at the topmost landing is the ,indu Peetha.

H. *orm 4 of the form of &eru Prastara.

I. The material that was used to make this was =Te)as6.

The Lalita Parameshwari so manifested# created a male form from within Herself. His
name was ameshwara. ,y her power of will# she created K different weapons. They
were#

'i( Ikshu %hanus

'ii( *ive arrows

'iii( Pasha 'noose(

'iv( Ankusha 'a special hook(.

"he held all these weapons in her hands. e see the description 4 2:haturbahu
samanvitaa3 in the Lalita "ahasranama. "he was shining like the morning sun# with
crimson color. '+dyad bhanusahasraabhaa is a description found in Lalita
"ahasranama(. Her beauty was full in all aspects. '"arvarunaanavadyangee
sarvaabharanabhooshitaa 4 Lalita "ahasranama(. "he always appears as though she is
@ years of age. '0ityaa shodashikaaroopaa is a description in Lalita "ahasranama. This
description has two meanings. 8ne meaning is that she always appears as one who is
sixteen years of age. The other meaning is# there are @ 0ityaa %evis. "he is of the form
of these @ 0ityaa %evis. &aha "hambhunatha praised her in many ways. 8rder of
:reation. "he extended Herself in both male and female forms and continued the
process of creation.

A. *rom the left eye# which was of the nature of "oma 'moon( came ,rahmaand
Lakshmi %evi.

,. *rom the right eye# which was of the nature of "oorya 'sun( came $ishnu and
Parvati.

:. *rom the third eye# which was of the nature of Agni 'fire(# came >udra and
"arasvati.

%. Lakshmi M $ishnu# "hiva M Parvati and ,rahma M "arasvati became couples.

-. Lalita %evi directed them to continue the process of :reation. "he herself continued
to create certain things.

'i( *rom her long hair she created darkness.

'ii( *rom her eyes# she created the sun# the moon and the fire.
'iii( *rom the pendent hanging in front of her forehead came the stars.

'iv( *rom the chain above her forehead came the nine planets.

'v( *rom the eyebrows# she created the penal code.

'vi( *rom her breath# she created the $edas.

'vii( *rom her speech# she created poetry and plays.

'viii( *rom her chin she created the $edangas.

'ix( *rom the three lines in her neck# she created various "haastras.

'x( *rom her breasts# she created mountains.

'xi( *rom her mind# she created the power of bliss.

'xii( *rom her fingernails# she created the @B incarnations of $ishnu.

'xiii( *rom her palms# she created the "andhyas.

'xiv( "he created other things as narrated in the Purusha "ookta.

'xv( *rom her heart# she created ,aalaa %evi.

'xvi( *rom her intellect# she created "hyamala %evi.

'xvii( *rom her ego# she created $aaraahi %evi.

'xviii( *rom her smile# she created $ighneshwara.

'xix( *rom the Ankusha 'a special hook(# she created "ampatkaree %evi.

'xx( *orm the noose# she created Ashwaa >oodha %evi.

'xxi( *rom her cheeks# she created 0akuleshvari %evi.

'xxii( *rom her undalini "hakti# she created 5ayatri.

'xxiii( *rom the eight wheels of the :hakra >a)a chariot# she created G %evatas.

'xxiv( In the Jth landing# in the ,indu Peetha# she herself was seated.

'xxv( Afterwards# she created the %evatas who would protect the :hakra >a)achariot.
After having thus completed the great creation# Lalita %evi re1uested her consort# "hiva
ama "undara to created the "hiva :hakra. He immediately brought out a big
humming sound and from this# the "hiva :hakra %evatas numbering FE manifested.
Later# Lalita %evi crowned "hyamala %evi as the prime minister. Therefore "hyamala
%evi is called &antrini %evi. Lalita %evi handed over the finger ring to &antrini %evi.

"he made $aartaalee %evi the chief of her army. Therefore $aartaalee %evi is also called
as %andanaathaa %evi. "he is also called as $aaraahee %evi. Lalita %evi created a mace
'a weapon( from her eye brows and gave it to %andanathaa %evi. After this# Lalita %evi
created two chariots from her chariot and gave them to &antrini %evi and %andanatha
%evi. &antini %evi6s chariot is called 25eya :hakra >atha3. This chariot used to make
musical sounds whenever it moved. %andanatha %evi6s chariot is called 2iri :hakra
>atha3. Later# Lalita %evi hummed with rage. *rom this hum# KBBBBBB /oginis were
born. Another KBBBBBB ,hairavas were also born. Innumerable "hakti "enas 'armies(
were also created by her hum.

%evi vi)aya yatra '%evi6s victory procession( Later Lalita devi# making the noise
emanating from the four oceans as the drums and accompanied with several other
instruments proceeded for the battle against ,handasura. *rom Lalitha devi6s
Ankusham 'Dspear(# ="ampat karidevi6# came out along with crores and crores of
elephants and started following Lalita devi 'sampatkarisamarudha sindhura vra)a
sevita(. "ampatkari %evi was sitting on the elephant named =>anakolahalam6

'Dbattlebustle#
devi along withbattle uproar(.
a big army *rom and
of horses Lalita
wasdevi6s
movingPasham 'Dwhip(
in front arose
of Lalita Ashwaroodha
devi.
'ashwarudhadhishtishtaswa; koti kotibhiravruta( . The horse carrying Ashwaroodha
devi was named =Apara)itam6 'Done whichcannot be defeated(. Later # commander of
the army %andanatha devi played the drums to startmarching. As the march started
%andanatha devi got down from her chariot and sat down on the lion. The lion is named
=$a)raghosham6 'kirichakra ratha rudha damdanadhapuraskruta(.

All her soldiers started praising her by twelve different names. 'Panchami dandanatha
cha sak)eta samayeshwaritatha samaya sak)eta varahi potrini tathavartali cha maha
sena pya)na chakreshwari tathaarighni cheti samproktam nama dwadasakam yune(.
Later &antrini devi played the drums of marching. Her soldiers were mainly decorated
sensuously. They were playing veenas and singing. &antrini devi was moving in her
5eyachakra ratha 'circle of army formed by singers( Ngeyachakra ratha rudha mantrini
parisevita(. "he was being praised by sixteen names. '"angeeta yogini shyama shyamala
mantra nayikamantrini sachiveshani pradhaneshi shukapriyavina vati vainiki cha
mudrini priyakapriyanipapriya kadambeshi kadamba vanavasinisadamada cha namani
shodashaitaini kumbha)a( 8ne who recites this strotra can con1uer all the three worlds.

Then# from the bird in the hands of &antrini devi# appeared god %hanurveda with a
spectacular bow in his hand and said 2&other7 this bow is called chitra)eevam. This
1uiver is akshaya 'Done which is unlimited# fills up spontaneously(. Please accept them
for demolishing the demons.3 0ow Lalita devi started moving with sugarcane# bow#
arrows# spear and whip in the =srichakrara)a6chariot. "he is being praised with F
names 4

simhasanesi
lalitha
mahara)ni
var; ankusha
sundari
chakranathacha
sa; mra)ni
chakrini
rathachakreshwar; i
mahadevi
kameshi
parameshwari
ka; mara)a
priyakamakotika
chakravar; tini
mahavidya
shivananga
vallabh; a
sarvapatalakulanatha
amnayanat; ha
sarvamnaya
nivasinishringara
n; ayika
cheti
panchavimshati
namabh; ih.

8ne who recites this stotra attains ashta siddhi 'G spiritual accomplishments(.

,andasura vadhodyukta shaktisena samanvita in Lalita sahasranama stotram

means one who is ready with her army 'shakti sena( to annihilate ,handasura.

,handa6s war preparation9 hile Lalita devi was proceeding for the war# many bad
omens were observed in ,handa6s ="hunyaka6 town. ,handasura called upon an urgent
meeting along with his brothers $ishukra and $ishanga to assess and evaluate the
situation. In the meeting $ishukra spoke thus9

a.( All gods have burnt themselves by )umping into fire# out of despair.

b.( *rom that fire arose mother goddess# who re)uvenated all gods

c.( "he is coming for a war with us# along with an army of women

d.( Those gods are trying to cut stones using tender leaves

e.( -ven then we should not neglect that woman. e must send our army immediately.

$ishanga said9

a.( Any work should only be done after properly thinking about it.

b.( *irst we must send spies and see how powerful their army is.

c.( e must not under estimate the enemies army.

d.( In the past Hiranyakashipa was killed by an animal.

e.( "umbha and 0ishumbha were killed by a woman.

f.( "o# we must get more information about her

g.( ho is she! ho is supporting or protecting her! hat does she want! All these
1ueries should be answered.

Listening to this ,handasura shuddered at the proposal with a sarcastic grin. 2-ven if
all the gods are behind her# we have nothing to fear. %o not entertain such useless
thoughts and spoil your mind3.

Immediately ,handasura ordered =utilaksha6# :ommander;in;chief of his army# to

protect the fort. He ordered the priests and ministers to perform abhichara 'black
magic( homa. He ordered Lalita to be dragged to him holding her hair. 0ow# the demons
played the war drums. utilaksha sent the first batch of army with demon %urmada as
the commander..At "hunyapura utilaksha made arrangements for protection 4
-astern entry O Tala )angha# "outhern entry 4 Tala bhu)a# estern entry  Talagriva#

0orthern entry
corner of the 4 Tala
town ketu @B
another were placed along
akshohini with @B akshohini
was allocated army each. *or each
for protection.

"hakti senas6s uproar. %urmada was confronted by "ampatkaridevi and her army of
elephants 'who arose from Lalita devi6s spear(. >ealising that his army was being
defeated %urmada himself came for the war seated on a camel. "ampatkari devi who
was seated on =>anakolahala6 her elephant# faced him. In the ferocious battle %urmada
was able to destroy one gem from the crown of "ampatkari devi. Angry with this#
"ampatkari devi killed %urmada with her arrows which pierced his heart. ith that the
remaining demons fled back to their town out of fear.

Listening to this ,handasura was very angry and sent %urmada6s elder brother
urunda for battle. He is an expert in maya yuddha 'war using mystical powers(. *ull
of vengeance he attacked "ampatkari devi. In the meanwhile Ashwarudha devi who had
taken birth from Lalita devi6s whip came forward and pleaded "ampatkari devi to give
her a chance to fight with this demon. 0ow Ashwarudha devi along with her army
pounced upon urunda. Ashwarudha devi mounted on =Apara)ita6 was herself leading
the army. In that battle she killed urunda by piercing his chest with her spear.
>emaining demonsfled for their lives.

,handa became furious. He sent a huge army this time '@BB akshohini( along with 
commanders. They materialised serpent gods by name =>anashambari6 which attacked
shaktisena. The demons had previously defeated gods using these mystic powers. :rores
and crores of serpents# which arose from the serpent gods# started torturing the
shaktisena. They were taking birth again and again even after being killed a number of
times. Then 0akuli devi mounted on garuda came to the battlefield. *rom her mouth
came out EF crores of mongooses. These mongooses started gobbling up all the newborn
serpents immediately after birth. Then 0akuli devi killed >anashambari with
5arudastram. All the five commanders now attacked 0akuli devi. 0akuli devi6s
mongoose army attacked them from the rear. In that ferocious battle 0akuli devi who
was mounted on 5aruda was making aerial strikes on the demons who were not able to
catch her. "he killed the five commanders by chopping of their heads.

,handa after listening to this sent $alahaka and other seven commanders along with
EBB akshohini army. These seven demons are sons of demoness named ikasa. In the
past they obtained a boon from sun god that at the time of war sun would reside in
theireyes. As soon as these demons entered the battlefield the shakti sena army started
becoming blindfolded and incapacitated unable to face the brilliance of their eyes.
%emons started becoming ferocious. Immediately the bodyguard of %andanatha devi 4
named Tiraskarinika devi# entered the battle field mounted on an aeroplane named
=Tamoliptam6.

At the order of %amdanatha devi she discharged an arrow named =Andhanastra6 and
the seven commanders were forced to close their eyes. 0ow shakti sena started pouncing
back. eeping Tiraskarinika devi in the forefront# other gods killed the seven
commanders. ith this blow ,handasura lost his senses. He called upon his two
brothers for a discussion.

In that meeting it was decided that $ishanga would attack devi6s army from its rear side

in a treacherous
they way from
got information 'This their
is called Parshti
spies grahamu(.
that Lalita This
devi was decision
having lesswas taken
army andbecause
protection at her rear end and it was easier for them to approach Lalita devi directly
and attack her# if they approached from the rear. After the first day6s war# at dusk#
$ishanga with a small army proceeded to the rear of Lalita devi6s army noiselessly
without any drums. ,y then Lalita devi6s army was moving westward. $ishanga along
with his army moved north wards and then turned to reach eastern side. He was able to
see "richakrara)a chariot very near to him. Lalita devi was looking forward observing
the movement of the army. "he was not having much army close to her. Taking this
opportunity $ishanga attacked devi6s chariot from the rear# all of a sudden.

Anima and other gods who were present there were taken back at this sudden attack
but 1uickly recovered themselves and prepared for a counter fight. -xactly at the same
time utilaksha along with ten akshohini army attacked from the front side. "eeing
attack from both ends Lalita devi was a little angry. In the mean while# struck by an
arrow from $ishanga# the fan present in Lalita devi6s hand fell down and broke. "eeing
this Tithidevatas got very angry. They went and re1uested Lalita devithat $ahnivasini
and <walamalini nitya devas have property and capacity of self illumination. If they
glow then the demons who are in the dark will all become visible. ith the permission
of Lalita devi# $ahnivasini and <walamalini devis started glowing like fireballs. All the
demons who were hiding in darkness now became visible. 0ow the @ nitya devi6s
became outrageous and attacked $ishanga6s army. All the commanders in the demons
army died. ounded all over the body $ishanga fled for his life shamelessly.

-ven utilaksha who attacked from the front also fled. 'In Lalita sahasranama 4
nityaparakrama topa nirikshana samatsuka Dseeing the valour of nityadevatas# Lalita
devi was very pleased(. &antrini devi and %andanatha devi felt unhappy about this
unprecedented attack in the night They felt very sorry that their arrangements of
protection were not up to the mark. Agni prakara 'compound wall made of fire(. ,oth
of them went to Lalita devi# expressed sorry for what had happened and made
arrangements for protection. At the instance of Lalita devi# <walamalini devi made a
compound wall of fire around the devi6s army The fire wall is @BB yo)ana wide and EB
yo)ana tall. '@ yo)ana is approximately G miles(. At the southern end of fire wall is a @
yo)ana long entry# to enable devi6s army to go out and fight because "hunyapuram is
facing this end. 'L.".0)walamalinikashipta vahniprakaramadhyaga("tambhini; devi
a member of %andanatha devi family along with FB akshohinisenas was protecting this
entry point. "he is also called $ighna devi. ,y then it was dawn.

nowing all this news ,handasura was in despair and started thinking what to do. This
time he sent all his EB sons for the war. After listening to this news Lalita devi6s daughter
,aladevi wanted to fight these demons herself. ,aladevi is the only daughter of Lalita
devi ."he resembles Lalita devi very much but is always only years old ."he stays
permanently with her mother.. ,aladevi approached her mother and re1uested for
permission to fight in the battlefield.. At the outset Lalita devi denied but looking at the
courage and will power exhibited by ,ala devi she ultimately gave permission. "eeing
,ala devi coming for the war &antrini and %andanayaka were astonished and they
stood as her body guards. 0ow ,aladevi started ferocious fighting with ,handa6s sons.
-very one was surprised at her valor. hole of the second day ,aladevi fought. That
evening she shot EB arrows at a time and killed the EB sons of ,handa.

Lalita devi was

vadhodyukta very
bala happynandita(.
vikrama and she embraced her daughter ',handa putra

,handa was grief stricken. %esperately he himself started off for the war. $ishukra and
$ishanga pacified ,andasura.

$ighnayentra nashnam '%estruction of the mystic symbol of obstacles(. 0ow ,handa

sent $ishukra to the warfront. In the darkness $ishukra approached the $ahniprakara
'firewall( 4on a flat stone he drew a mystic symbol and performed some black magic. He
then threw that mystic symbol forcefully. It fell in the firewall at some point. ith the
affect of that yantra 'mystic symbol( la?iness crept into the minds ofthe devi6s army.
"ome started arguing that war itself was wrong. 'b.( "ome said# 2hy should we fight
on behalf of the gods3. 'c.( "ome said# 2ho is this Lalita devi! ho has given her
superior ship over us!3 'd.( "ome said# 2If all of us together decline not to fight what
can Lalita devi do!3 'e.( All of them fell into sleep of ignorance. After midnight
$ishukra along with EB akshohini sena surrounded the fire barrier. -ven then none of
the members of shakti sena moved under the influence of the ignorance caused by the
$ighna yantra. However# $ighnayentra was not able to affect &antrini and
%andanatha. ,ut they were both very sad worried seeing the state of their army. 0ot
knowing what to do they went and en1uired Lalita devi. Then Lalita devi looked at the
ameshwara6s face and passed a gentle smile. *rom her smile 5anapathi took birth. He
immediately searched in the firewall and noticed the =vighnayentra shila6 at one place.
He broke the shila into pieces and powder with his tooth. 'kameshwaramukhaloka
kalpita sri ganeshwara &ahaganesha nirbhinna vighnayentra praharsita(. ith that
shaktisena6s ignorance and sleep was dispelled# they immediately got ready for the war.
0ow $ighneswara along with this army came out of the fire barrier and started fighting
with $ishukra.

$ishukra sent 5a)asura to attack him but soon 5a)asura was slayed. "eeing this
$ishukra ran away.
Annihilation of $ishukra and $ishanga. After discussing with ,handasura# $ishukra
came back to war# along with his brother $ishanga and son;in;law. ith this the third
day war had started. &antrini and %andanatha both started to fight simultaneously. In
the front was %andanatha devi mounted on her kirichakra ratha with her plough
weapon 'halayudha( swirling it rapidly. ,ehind her was &antrini devi mounted on
5eyachakra ratha as an archer with bow and arrows. %andanatha devi attacked
$ishunga. &antrini devi confronted $ishukra.. Ashwarudha# "ampatkari and others
attacked the son; in;law of the demons who had come..The army of the demons started
slackening. 0oticing this $ishukra discharged Trushastram 'weapon which produces
thirst(. "haktisena6s army started to experience intense thirst. Then %andanatha devi
invited =&adyasamudra6'Docean of li1uor( devata from her kirichakra and 1uenched
their thirst. &adyasamudra deva showered li1uor rains. ith that the army 1uenched
their thirst and re)uvenated.. ,y sunset most of the demons including ,handa6s son;in;
law had died. Then "hyamala devi '&antrini( fought with $ishukra and killed him with
=,rahmashironamakastra6 'a powerful weapon named brahmashira(. %andanatha devi
'Potrini( killed $ishanga with her plough weapon and pestle. However in Lalita
sahasranama it is mentioned that $ishukra was killed by $arahiand $ishanga was
killed by &antrini;&antrinyamba virachita vishanga vadhatoshita$ishukra prana
harana varahiveryanandita. ,y then it was past midnight.

8nly utilaksha the commander in chief was left over to console ,handasura. ,handa
along with utilaksha started towards the battlefield. F@G akshohini army along with
KB commanders followed him.

A(. He boarded a chariot named =Aabhilamu6'Ddreadful(. It is dragged by @BBBlions

instead of horses.

,(. His sword is named /atana 'D torture in hell(.

0oticing this Lalita devi herself started moving in her "richakra ra)a ratha towards the
warfront. ,ehind her was &antrini in the 5eyachakra ratha followed by Potrini in
kirichakraratha. 8ther shakti deities followed her in crores. In the usage of sastra6s
'mystic weapons( and pratyastra 'corresponding neutralising weapons(# none of them
were drawn aback 'L"0,handasurendra nirmukta shastra pratyastra varshini(

0ow ,andasura by his mystical powers regenerated &adhukaitabha# >aktabi)a and

other old demons. Then Lalita devi made a violent fren?ied laughter 4%urga devi and
other deities described in chandi saptashati were born and slayed these demons. 0ow
,handa generated "omaka and other demons. Then Lalita devi generated the @B
incarnations of $ishnu from the finger tips of her hands 'L"0 4 aranguli nakhotpanna
narayana dasakrutih(. "un was about to set. Lalita devi decided not to delay any more.
"he then discharged 0arayana astra and Pashupata astra and destroyed the demons
and their commanders who were all turned into ashes '&ahapashupatastragni
nirdagdhasura sainyaka(. 0ow ,handasura was the only one left. Lalita devi discharged
the &ahakameshawarastra and annihilated ,handasura. Immediately his shunyaka
town got burnt down. 'ameshwarastra nirdagdhasabhandasura sunyaka.

5ods proclaimed victory of Lalita devi on the drums and they showered flowers# lighted
camphor bla?es and shouted victory slogans.
ama san)eevanam 'rebirth of kama(. ,rahma# $ishnu# Indra and other gods praised
Lalita devi6s grandeur 'L"0,rahmopendra mahendradi deva samstuta vaibhava(. In
that praise they proclaimed thus9

A.( &other7 ,handa is dead but his friend Taraka is still alive to trouble us.

,.( To annihilate him "hiva must have a son

:.( e were trying for the same but in the mean while &anmadha 'god of love( died
and all these events happened

%.( Therefore kindly give rebirth to &anmadha and perform the marriage of "hiva and
Parvathi.

Lalita devi smiled compassionately and looked at ameshwara. *rom her looks
&anmadha took rebirth .'Haranetragni sandagdha amasan)eevanaushadhih 4 meaning
Lalita devi is the sacred herb sa)eevini which gave rebirth to &anmadha who was
destroyed by the fire from "hiva6s eye(. >ati and &anmadha prostrated to the mother
goddess and praised her.

The mother goddess blessed them and instructed9

A.( &anmadha7 0ow you need not fear

,.( 5o once again and cast your magical arrow on "hiva

:.( "hiva will loose to you and will marry Parvathi

%.( ith my blessings "hiva will do you no harm.

-.( *rom now on you can enter every ones body and cause aestheticQ sensuous pleasures
to them.

*.( Protect my devotees.

At the instructions of mother goddess &anmadha with his family went and cast his
magic charm on "hiva. This time "hiva left renunciation and started searching
vehemently for parvathi. Then &anmadha cast magical arrows on Parvati also. "hiva
was very pleased with parvathi6s penance. He appeared before her# granted a boon and
married her. umaraswamy was born to "hiva and Parvathi. He became the
commander of 5ods army and annihilated Tarakasura. He then married %evasena devi#
the daughter of Indra.

After helping all the gods &anmadha left to "ripura to serve goddess Lalita devi.

"ripura varnanam 'description of "ripura ( hat does "ripura mean! After the
annihilation of ,handasura# Trimurtis called upon the cosmic architect $iswakarma
and the architect of demons &aya # and instructed them to construct @ palaces in @
kshetras 'sacred places( for the residence of Lalita M "hiva ameswara. &eru and
other gigantic mountains 'J( <alasamudra and other oceans '( 4 total @ shetras. The
palatial buildings of mother goddess located in these kshetras are called "ripura.
herever a "ripura is located # its dimensions are like this.

@.( &ount &eru has K peaks 8ne on the eastern side# one on north west# one on the
south west. -ach is @BB yo)anas tall and @BB yo)anas wide these are trimurtis worlds. In
the center of these is the fourth# which is KBB yo)anas tall and KBB yo)anas wide.

F.( "ripura is on the &iddle peak. "ripura has got metallic compound walls  in number
they are s1uare shaped. -ach wall is separated from the next one by one a distance of 
yo)anas.@. alayasa 'iron( wall 4 The perimeter of this wall is @ thousand yo)anasF.
ansya 'bron?e( wall,etween these two is the first chamber. "everal trees and
gardens are located here. &ahakali and &ahakala are the gate keepers here.
alachakra is their throne.

E. Tamra 'copper( wall 4 Here is a forest of alpavruksha 'wish granting tree(. This is
also called as alpavatica. This is the second chamber. $asanta 'spring( is its
protector .&adhusri and &adhavasri are his consorts.

K. "eesa 'lead( wall 4 Here is a forest of santana trees 'progeny granting(. This is the

third chamber 5rishma 'summer( is the ruler . "hukrasri and "huchisri are his
consorts.

. Aarkuta 'brass( wall 4 This is the fourth chamber. Here is a forest of Hari
chandanavruksha 'yellow fragrant sandal wood(. The ruler is varsharutu 'rainy season.
0abhasri and 0abhasyasri are his consorts.

. Panchaloha 'five metal( wallIn this fifth chamber is a garden of mandara

trees':alotropis gigantea(."haradrutu is the protector. Ishasri and +r)asri are his
consorts.

. >aupya 'silver( wall 4 "ixth chamber.Pari)ata tree forest .Hemantarutu is the

protector. "ahasri and "ahasyasri are his consorts.

G. Hema 'gold( wall 4 "eventh chamber. adamba forest. "isira 'winter( s the protector.
Tavasri and Tavasyasri are his consorts. This is where &antrini devi resides in a temple.
"he has one more 1uarter very close to that of Lalita devi in &ahapadmatavi' forest of
lotuses(. hen she is on duty she stays in that 1uarter. In this seventh chamber near
&antrini6s residence &atanga kanyas are constantly singing and dancing.

&atanga kanyaka charitra 'story of &atanga kanya(. In the olden days a sage named
&atanga used to expand the creation byvirtue of the power of his penance.EF. His son
&atanga was a great saint and practitioner of penance. He was the friend of
Himavanta. 8nce Himavanta started boasting saying that he was the father of 5auri
devi. ith that &atanga felt humiliated and started great penance for &udrini
devi'&udrinidevi is none other than &antrini devi who had received a ring from Lalita
devi. "he is also called "hyamala devi.

"he was very happy with his penance and gave boon that she herself would be born as a
daughter to him. A few days later "hyamala devi appeared in the dream of "iddhamati
devi 'consort of &atanga(. "hyamala devi gave her a flower from the bunch decorating
the formers ear. $ery soon she had a female child who was named Laghushyama as she
was born in a very short duration 'Laghu D short# small(. "he was also called &atangi#
&atanga anyaka. ith her power she generated crores of virgins# who stay near
&antrini devi6s house and keep singing her praises all the time.

The :ompounds of precious stones9 Inside the golden compound# there are eleven
prakaras 'compounds( one inside the other and inside them there are six more
compounds described hereunder. All these compounds are perfect s1uares. Here also#
the distance between one compound and the other is "even yo)anas. 'yo)ana is a
measurement of length of about nine miles(.

@. Pushyaraga Prakara 'The compound of Topa?( The area between the golden
compound and this one is called Pushyaraga area. Here male and female "iddhas reside.
Those who were born earlier in the race of "iddha and who obtained attainment
'"iddhi( in their spiritual practices worshipping the %ivine &other# stay here as "iddhas
and gladly continue to worship Her.

F. Padmaraga Prakara 'The compound of >uby( Here celestials of the species called
:aranas reside. Those who were born in :arana world and worshipped the &other are

reborn here# after attaining Her grace.

E. 5omedhika Prakara 'The compound of Agate( In this arena# ala "ankarshani devi
resides. "he is worshipped by the /oginis and ,hairavas.

K. $a)ra Prakara 'The compound of diamonds( Apsaras and 5andharvas 'divine

dancers and singers( stay in this arena. They are ever engaged in the <apa 'repetition( of
the %ivine &other6s names and stay here happily. The river $a)ranadi flows in this
place. The 5oddess $a)reswari stays here. hen the demon ,handa swallowed the
diamond weapon '$a)ra Ayudha( of Indra# he could get back his weapon by
worshipping the &other here.

. $aidurya Prakara 'The compound of :at6s eye( Those of the netherworld# who
attained spiritual achievements by worshipping the &other# stay in this arena. The
emperor ,ali also resides here.

. Indraneela Prakara 'The compound of "apphire( Those people who were born on the
earth stay in this area en)oying pleasures# after their worship of Lalita during their
lifetime there. "oon after the effect of their punya 'merit( is exhausted# they will be born
again as human beings on the earth. ,y the effect of their previous pious deeds# they
again worship the &other and return once more to this pious place. %ue to the blue
colour of these precious stones# the dark effect of likes and dislikes persists in them.
Hence they are born again and again. Those who can control their senses to merge in
the ultimate state of salvation# i.e.# in the %ivine &other. They do not have rebirth.

. &ukta Prakara 'The compound of pearls( "everal rivers named Tamraparni#

&ahaparni# "adamukta# "adodaka etc. flow in this area. The celestials who worshipped
the &other and chanted her &antras stay here. The cities of the rulers of the eight sides
exist here. 'The eight sides are -ast# est# 0orth# "outh# 0orth;-ast# "outh;-ast# 0orth;
est and "outh;est(.
G. &arakata Prakara 'The compound of -merald( The abode of the 5oddess
%andanatha also called $arahi exists in this area. There is a garden of golden palm;trees
here. The 5oddess +nmattabhairavi# "vapnesvari# Tiraskarinidevi# irapadadevi reside
in this area. hen 5oddess %andanatha is on duty# she stays in a separate palace in the
forest of &ahapadma ',ig lotuses(.

J. $idruma Prakara 'The compound of :oral( In this area# ,rahma along with sages
like &arica stays and worship the %ivine&other.

@B.&anikya Prakara 'The compound of 5em( This area is also called the hall of gems
i.e. &anikya &antapa. Her $ishnu worships the &other.

@@. 0avaratna Prakara 'The compound of nine precious stones( In this area exists a
huge hall with thousands of pillars. Here "iva along with his attendants constantly
supervises the activities being done as per the orders of Lalita %evi.

@F. &anomaya Prakara 'The compound of mind( The entire area is a big well of
Amruta 'nectar(. The 5oddess Tara resides here. Along with her attendants# she rows a
big boat and takes her devotees inside along with Her.

@E. ,uddhi Prakara 'The compound of the intellect( The entire area is a big well of
,liss. The captain of the ship in this arena is the 5oddess $aruni. "he is also called as
"udha malini and Amruteswari.

@K. Ahankara Prakara 'The compound of -goism( The entire area is a big well of
criticism and nectarC The water of this well is nothing else than the nectar in the nerve
"ushumna 'The central nerve between Ida and Pingala nerves of one6s backbone(. The
captain of the ship in this area is the 5oddess urukulla.

@. "uryabimba Prakara 'The compound of the "un( Here brilliance comparable to the
light of the rising "un exists always. Plenty of flowers called uruvinda are abundant
here. The "un performed penance here and obtained brilliance. &artanda ,hairava
stays here. He has a very luminous form. His three wives are &ahaprakasa "akti#
:akshusmati "akti and :hayada "akti 'The powers of great brilliance# eyesight and
shade(.

@. :andrabimba Prakasa 'The compound of the &oon( &oonshine ever exists here.
The &oon performed penance here and attained illumination. "omanatha# the Lord of
the stars is the chief deity of this area.

@. "rungara Prakara 'The compound of eroticism( This area is full of waters of
eroticism. Here &anmatha# ':upid;the god of love( does <apa of the &other6s sacred
names# rowing in a boat. 8nly those who are of pure mind by nature can cross this area.

@G. :intamani 5ruha 'The abode of 5ems( This is the great palace of "ri;chakra. It is
called &ahapadmatavi also. Around the mansion# hundreds of thousands of lotus like
palaces exist. To the east of this place# there is a large vessel with a diameter of one
/o)ana. This is called Arghya Patra 'the vessel used to wash hands( b( At the south;east
corner exists :idagnikunda 'The fire pit of knowledge(. At the south;west exists
"ricakra >atha# the vehicle of "ricakra. At the north;west exists the 5eya :akra >atha
of the 5oddess &antrini. At the north;east exists the iri :akra >atha of the 5oddess
%andini. In between the -ast and the south;east exists &antrini gruha 4 the abode of
the 5oddess &antrini. In between the -ast and the north;east exists %andini gruha 4
the abode of the 5oddess %andini.

The description of the Palace of :intamani

@. This palace is centrally located in "ripattana 4 The :ity of "ri 'ealth(.

F. The walls of the palace are built with :intamani gems.

E. The roof also is made of the same stones of :intamani.

K. The palace has three towers by names Iccha "ikhara# riya "ikhara and <nana
"ikhara i.e. the towers of desire# action and knowledge.

. The palace has four doors. They are called Amnaya devas. They are Purva# %akshina#
Pascima and +ttara 4 Amnaya devas 'on the -ast# "outh# est and 0orth sides(.
Amnaya means $eda.

. ,indu Peetha 'central seat of power( is centrally located in the palace.

. This seat of power 'peetha( has steps on four sides.

G. The entire structure described above is of the design of "ricakra.

J. All the male and female deities of "ricakra reside here.

@B. The ,indu Peetha is called "ri Peetha# &aha Peetha# $idya Peetha andAnanda
Peetha also 'The seat of prosperity# greatness# knowledge andbliss(.

@@. 8n the pedastal exists the cot of the five brahmas.

@F. The cot has four legs namely ,rahma# $ishnu# &ahesana and Iswara. These four
deities have attained female form by worshipping &other.

@E. The plank resting on these legs is "adasiva.

@K. To the east of this cot# there are E steps# representing the E aspects of spiritualism.

@. There is a foot;rest in front of the cot.

@. There is swan like bed on the cot.

@. 8n the cot# there are two pillows for the head and one pillow for the legs.
@G. A light red blanket is spread on the bed.

@J. The Lord ameswara sits on the cot facing the -ast. He is ever in the form of a
sixteen year old boy. He has four hands and three eyes. He wears erotic costumes.
FB. 8n His lap sits Lalita %evi. "he is ever in the form of a sixteen year old girl. Her
complexion is rosy. "he wears erotic costumes. "he has four hands. Her decoration is the
moon.

F@. As she pleases "adasiva# she is called Lalita 'Lalana 4 to please( "iva
ameswarankastha "iva "vadheena $allabha "umeru madhya srungastha
"rimannagara nayika. :intamani gruhantastha Panca ,rahmasana sthita. &aha
Padmatavi samstha adamba vana vasini "udha sagara madhyastha amakshi
amadayini The above names in the Lalita "ahasra nama indicate the "rinaara# the
:intamani gruha 'the palace of the &other( and her other divine aspects described
above. The &other incarnated to kill the demon ,handa. "he is the "upreme &other as
per these divine names# will achieve everything auspicious

&okshada -kadasi

/udhishthira &ahara) said# 28 $ishnu# master of all# 8 delight of the three worlds# 8
Lord of the entire +niverse# 8 creator of the world# 8 oldest personality# 8 best of all
beings# I offer my most respectful obeisances unto /ou.

28 Lord of lords# for the benefit of all living entities# kindly answer some 1uestions that
I have. hat is the name of the -kadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the
month of &argashirsha '0ovember;%ecember( and removes all sins! How does one
observe it properly# and which %eity is worshipped on that holiest of days! 8 my Lord
please explain this to me in full.3

Lord "ri rishna replied# 28 dear /udhishthira# your en1uiry is very auspicious in
itself and will bring you fame. <ust as I previously explained to you about the dearest
+tpannaa &aha;%wadasi 4 which occurs during the dark part of the month of
&argashirsha# which is the day when -kadasi;devi appeared from &y body to kill the
demon &ura# and which benefits everything animate and inanimate in the three worlds
4 so I shall now relate to you regarding this -kadasi that occurs during the light part of
the month of &argashirsha. This -kadasi is famous as &okshadaa because it purifies
the faithful devotee of all sinful reactions and bestows liberation upon him. The
worshippable %eity of this all auspicious day is Lord %amodara. ith full attention one
should worship Him with incense# a ghee lamp# fragrant flowers# and Tulasi man)aris
'buds(.

28 best of saintly kings# please listen as I narrate to you the ancient and auspicious
history of this wonderful -kadasi. "imply by hearing this history one can attain the
merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice. ,y the influence of this merit# one6s
forefathers# mothers# sons# and other relatives who have gone to hell can turn around
and go to the heavenly kingdom. *or this reason alone# 8 king# you should listen with
rapt attention to this narration. 2There once was a beautiful city named :hampaka;
nagar# which was decorated with devoted $aishnavas. There the best of saintly kings
&ahara) $aikhaanasa# ruled over his sub)ects as if they were his very own dear sons
and daughters. The brahmins in that capital city were all expert in four kinds of $edik
knowledge. The king# while ruling properly# had a dream one night in which his father
was seen to be suffering the pangs of hellish torture in one of the hellish planets ruled
over by the /amara). The king was overwhelmed with compassion for his father and
shed tears. The next morning# &ahara) $aikhaanasa described what he had seen in his
dream to his council of twice born learned brahmins.

3 = 8 brahmanas#6 the king addressed them# =in a dream last night I saw my father
suffering on a hellish planet. He was crying out in anguish# 28 son# please deliver me
from this torment of this hellish condition 73 0ow I have no peace in my mind# and even
this beautiful kingdom has become unbearable to me. 0ot even my horses# elephants#
and chariots and my vast wealth in my treasury that formerly brought so much
pleasure# gives me no pleasure at all.

3 =-verything# 8 best of the brahmins# even my own wife and sons# have become a
source of unhappiness since I beheld my father suffering the tortures of that hellish
condition so. here can I go# and what can I do# 8 brahmins# to alleviate this misery!
&y body is burning with fear and sorrow 7 Please tell me what kind of charity# what
mode of fasting# what austerity# or what deep meditation# and in service upon which
%eity I may have to perform to deliver my father from that agony and bestow upon
liberation upon my forefathers. 8 best among the brahmins# what is the use of one6s
being a powerful son if one6s father must suffer on a hellish planet! Truly# such a son6s
life is utterly useless# to him and to his forefathers.

3 The twice born brahmins replied# =8 king# in the mountainous forest not far from here
is the ashram where a great saint Parvata &uni resides. Please go to him# for he is tri;
kala;)nan 'he knows the past# the present# and the future of everything( and can surely
help you in your gaining relief from your misery.6

2+pon hearing this advise# the distressed king immediately set out on a )ourney to the
ashram of the famous sage Parvata &uni. The ashram was indeed very big and housed
many learned sages expert in chanting the sacred hymns of the four $edas '>g# /a)ur#
"ama# and Arthava(. Approaching the holy ashram# the king beheld Parvata &uni
seated among the assembly of sages adorned with hundreds of tilaks 'from all the
authorised sampradayas( like another ,rahmaa or $yaas.

2&ahara) $aikhaanasa offered his humble obeisances to the muni# bowing his head and
then prostrating his entire body before him. After the king had seated himself among
the assembly Parvata &uni asked him about the welfare of the seven limbs of his
extensive kingdom 'his ministers# his treasury# his military forces# his allies# the
brahmins# the sacrificial offerings performed# and the needs of his sub)ects(. The muni
also asked him if his kingdom was free of troubles and whether everyone was peaceful#
happy and satisfied. To these en1uiries the king replied# =,y your mercy 8 glorious and
great sage# all seven limbs of my kingdom are doing very well. /et there is a problem
that has recently arisen# and to solve it I have come to you# 8 brahmana for your expert
help and guidance6.

2Then Parvata &uni# the best of all sages# closed his eyes and meditated on the king6s
past# present and future. After a few moments he opened his eyes and said# =/our father
is suffering the results of committing a great sin# and I have discovered what it is. In his
previous life he 1uarrelled with his wife and forcibly en)oyed her sexually during her
menstrual period. "he tried to protest and resist his advances and even yelled out#
2"omeone please save me7 Please# 8 husband# do not interrupt my monthly period in
this way73 "till he did not stop or leave her alone. It is on account of this grievous sin
that your father now has fallen into such a hellish condition of suffering.6

2ing $aikhaanasa then said# =8 greatest among sages# by what process of fasting or
charity may I liberate my dear father from such a condition! Please tell me how I can
relieve and remove the burden of his sinful reactions# which are a great obstacle to his
progress toward ultimate release 'salvation 4 liberation 4 going back home(.6

2Parvata &uni replied# =%uring the light fortnight of the month of &argashirsha there
occurs an -kadasi called &okshadaa. If you observe this sacred -kadasi strictly# with a
full fast# and give directly to your suffering father the merit you thus attainQobtain# he
will be freed from his pain and instantly liberated6.

2Hearing this# &ahara) $aikhaanasa profusely thanked the great sage and then
returned to his palace to perform his vrata 'austere rite(. 8 /udhishthira# when the
light part of the month of &argashirsha at last arrived# &ahara) $aikhaanasa faithfully
waited for the -kadasi tithi to arrive. He then perfectly and with full faith observed the
-kadasi fast with his wife# children# and other relatives. He dutifully gave the merit
from this fast to his father# and as he made the offering# beautiful flower petals

showered down
king6s father was from
thenthe devasby
praised who
thepeered out from
messengers behind
of the the clouds
demigods in and
'devas( the sky. The
escorted
to the celestial region. As he passed his son# as he traversed the lower to middle to higher
planets# the father said to the king# =&y dear son# all auspiciousness unto you76

At last he reached the heavenly realm from where he can again with his newly ac1uired
merit perform devotional service to rishna or $ishnu and in due course return back to
home back to 5odhead.

28 son of Pandu# who so ever strictly observes the sacred &oksha -kadasi# following
the established rules and regulations# achieves full and perfect liberation after death.
There is no better fasting day than this -kadasi of the light fortnight of the month of
&argashirsha# 8 /udhishthira# for it is a crystal;clear and sinless day. hoever
faithfully observes this -kadasi fast# which is like chintaa;mani 'a gem that yields all
desires(# obtains special merit that is very hard to calculate# for this day can elevate one
from hellish life to the heavenly planets# and for one who observes -kadasi for his own
spiritual benefit# this elevates one to go back to 5odhead# never to return to this
material world.3

Thus end the narration of the glories of &argashirsha;shukla -kadasi or &okshada

-kadasi# from the ,rahmanda Purana. The "ons of "agara

:HAPT-> *I*T/;T8

The "acrificial Horse is let loose

<aimini "aid9

@. 3 After banishing his son# the virtuous;souled Lord "agara transferred his love for
him to the child Amsumam whose conduct was righteous.
F. At the very same time# 8 king# the sons of6 "umati grew up collectively. All of them
were amiable# devoted and faithful to one another.

E. They had adamantine bodies. They were cruel# merciless and shameless. They were
habitually evil in their activities. They had the same nature and characteristics.

K. They cooperated in doing simultaneously the same work. They were deluded in their
minds. They were easily irritable. They could not be easily assailed by any living being.
They regularly harassed the people.

. They had no concern for humility# good conduct or the path of virtue. They harassed
the entire world around as they pleased# like Asuras.

. Attacked and tormented by them# the whole world became distressed and unhappy in
particular with /a)Ras and paths of virtue destroyed. The people could not have their
regular selfstudy of the $edas nor could they perform holy rites by uttering the
$asatkara mantra.

. hen everything was being completely destroyed by the sons of "agara who were

haughty on account
grreat serpents of6 the
became boons they
extremely had been granted# the %evas# Asuras and the
agitated.

G. The -arth# overwhelmed by the ocean# began to 1uake though its name is Acala
' immovable (. There was a break and hindrance in the penance and abstract iiwditation
of the ascetics.

J. %epraved of the Havya and ayva offerings# the %evas and the Pitris became
oppressed by great sorrow. They went to the abode of ,rahma.

@B. After going there# the %evas with "harvaS ' probably "hakra ( at their head# duly
reported to him the entire activities of the sons of "agara.

@@. 8n hearing their words# ,rahma# the grandfather of the worlds# became engrossed
in thought for a short while. The most excellent one among the "uras then said9

@F. B %evas# listen# attentively to my words. elfare unto you. There is no doubt that the
sons of "agara will be destroyed ere long.

@E. ait for a short time. -verything is being controlled by time. -verything else is but
an instrumental. That time alone is the master of all.

@K. Hence# 8 excellent "uras# what I am going to say for your welfare should now be
carried out by all of you without any slackness.

@. The holy lord apila# the most excellent among victorious ones# the roost exalted
among the leading /ogins# is born on the earth with a partial power of $isnu# for the
welfare of the universe.
@. He is now sitting# meditating in a lonely place somewhere in the ocean# the water of
which had been sucked up by Agastya. This meditation has been going on for the last
hundred years according to the reckoning of heaven dwellers.

@. At my behest# all of you go to the leading sage apila. "tand near him wishing for
the conclusion of his meditation.

@G. At the close of his abstract meditation# you will bow down to him and tell him your
purpose in full. He will do what is conducive to your welfare.

@J. 8 excellent %evas# do something whereby a break in the abstract meditation of the
sage can be caused through the sons of "agara3. <aimini said9

FB. 8n being told thus by him# the %evas bowed down to ,rahma and went to apila#
the most excellent among the brahmanasC with palms )oined in reverence# they spoke to
him. The %evas said9

F@. ,e pleased with us# oh excellent sage. e have sought refuge in you. The whole of the
universe# harassed by the sons of "agara# is perishing.

FF. It is well known that you are the cause of the sustenance and annihilation of the
worlds. ith the partial power of $ishnu# you have incarnated on the earth and you
stay here as the leading /ogin.

FE. A physical body has been voluntarily assumed by you# only for the destruction of the
great distress of men afflicted by the three types of agony. Indeed# you are the most
excellent among those who perform austerities.

FK. +ndoubtedly# 8 ,rahmana# you are capable# at your will# to mentally# create the
entire universe# sustain it and annihilate it.

F. /ou are our creator and dispenser of our destiny. /ou are our preceptor. /ou are our
greatest resort. /ou are our protector. Put an end to our adversity.

F. 8 leading ,rahmana# be the resort and refuge of the leading ,rahmanas in
particular# who reside in the three worlds and who are being persecuted by the sons of
"agara.

F. Indeed# the activities of people like you will be of "atva ' very good ( nature. Hence#
8 sage of good holy rites# it behooves you to save us and all the world.

FG;E@a. If not# 8 holy saint# the entire universe will be destroyed prematurely.3 <aimini
"aid9 3 8n being told thus by all the %evas# apila slowly opened his eyes. 5lancing at
there# he spoke these pleasing words = +tterly burned by their own actions# the sons of
"agara will surely perish when the proper time arrives. Let that time be awaited by you
all. *or the achievement of your purpose# 8 excellent "uras# I shall become the cause of
destruction of those evilminded ones.6

E@;EE. -re long# the sons of "agara# whose minds are inclined towards sinful activities
and whose intellects have been adversely affected by ala ' Time# 5od of %eath ( will be
burned by the fire of my anger. Hence# B %evas# all the worlds shall be rid of distress.
They will have fear from nowhere. Let them ' sons of "agara ( be wicked in their
actions. They will 1uickly meet with their annihilation. "o be free from fear and go back
to your own city. ait for some time. Thereafter# you will realise what you desire.3

EK;EG. 8n being told thus by apila# all those %evas including Indra# became delighted.
After bowing down to him they went towards heaven. In the meantime# king "agara# the
Lord of the -arth desired to perform $a)imedha 'Horse"acrifice(# the great /a)na. ith
the permission of $asistha# he gathered together all the necessary re1uisites.
Accompanied by Aurva and other ,rahmanas he duly took the initiation for the
performance of sacrifice. *or the purpose of letting the horse roam about# the king of
great renown called all his sons and commanded them thus9 8 my sons# make the horse
roam about all round the earth. It behoves you to do this immediately and bring it back
to me.3 <aimini said9

EJ;KE. 3 At the behest of their father they took the horse and made it wander over the
entire earth. It was only because of the directive of the $edic in)unction that the horse
was made to go round the earth and not for the con1uest of the 1uarters nor for levying
taxes and tributes as the whole of the earth had already been con1uered by that king.

ings had already

battlefield. beenprinces
Then those made payers ofthe
reached tributes
lowerby that king
ground of exalted
surface of the heroism in the
salt ocean
wherein there was no water. ith great delight they encircled the horse and entered the
interior of the earth.

:HAPT-> *II*T/;TH>--

The %estruction of the "ons of "agara

<amini "aid9

@. hen they reached there# the wind god who had been directed by Indra# carried
away the horse to the netherworlds within a moment.

F. "tealing the horse without being seen by any of them# 8 king# the wind god carried it
away along that path to the vicinity of sage apila.

E;K. hen the horse disappeared# all those princes became perplexed. "earching for the
horse# they went 6round and 6round the earth. After searching the entire earth including
the cities# mountains and forests# they attained great sorrow because they were still
unable to see the sacrificial animal.

. Then they went back to Ayodhya# surrounded by the sagas# met their father# bowed
down to him and initiated to him everything.

. 3 The moment we entered the ocean after wandering over the whole of the earth# the
horse was taken away by some one though it was being vigilantly guarded by us who
were on the watch.3

;G. 8n being told thus by them the excellent king became infuriated and told them 3
5o away hence# unrighteous ones# never to return again. How was it lost by you# while
you were alive. /ou were indeed evil minded ones. There is no 1uestion of your
returning without the horse here3.

J. Then all of them together setout from that place and said to one another9 3 -ven now
the horse is not to be seen# what shall we do !3

@B. The whole of the earth was searched by us# including the mountains# forests and
parks. The horse is not seen any where nor its news is heard. @@. Hence# starting with
the ocean and extending as far as the netherworlds# we shall split the earth and dig it.
e shall enter the netherworlds and search for the horse.

@F. Having decided thus# all those sons of "agara# of cruel resolve# dug the earth
everywhere beginning with the seashore.

@E. ,eing dug by them# the earth became greatly excited and cried aloud. 8n seeing
their activity# all living beings cried in distress.

@K. After digging the ,harata subcontinent and casting it off on the ground# they united
a thousand /o)anas of the earth to the ocean.

@. %igging the earth upto the netherworlds# the sons of the king saw the horse gra?ing
in the netherworlds.

I. %elighted very much they gathered together and laughed out of contentment. "ome
of them danced with great )oy.

@;F@. They saw the noble;souled apila of brilliant lustre who was very oldC who was
seated in the lotusposture# with his eyes fixed yet at the tip of his nose# who had kept the
head and neck straight and longC who had kept the chest pro)ecting forward# who was
shining with his own splendour radiating all round in full like a lamp placed in a
windless spotC whose body was full of perfect knowledge shining within himselfC whose
mind was engaged in abstract meditationC who appeared like the motionless oceanC who
was duly engaged in the yogic exerciseC whose mind was engrossed in what should be
meditated uponC who was the most excellent among leading /ogins and who looked like
the fire with its clusters of flames extinguished. 8n seeing him staying there# they
consulted one another about him for a short while. *or a short while# they underwent
excessive agitation.

FF;FE. Thinking that it was he who stole the horse# the evil;minded sons of6 "agara#
induced by the 5od of death# surrounded apila# the excellent sage. -ncircling him they
said# 3 This is the thief9 There is no doubt about it. This evil;minded robber of the horse
deserves to be killed by us3.

<aimini said 9

FK;Fa. 3 All those "agaras whose intellect had become deluded and whose death was
imminent# suddenly molested the sage who was sitting like an ordinary person.

Then sage apila who had never been de)ected in mind# was overwhelmed with wrath#
because he lead been upset due to the break in his abstract meditation. He was agitated.
Assailed by those evilminded ones# the unassailable sage apila became agitated. He
assumed a huge si?e like the fire that increases in si?e at the end of the alpa on account
of the gusts of wind.

Fb;EBa. The fire of anger arising out of his body as vast and ma)estic as the ocean#
burst forth like the "amkarshana fire issuing from the poison of "esha out to burn down
the netherworlds. His anger was further kindled by the recollection of attack. The sage
who had a lustre similar to that of a wheel of fire ' i.e. whirling fire ( opened his eyes.
Then for a moment# 8 king# his eyes became extremely red and shone like the "un and
the &oon simultaneously appearing in the sky at dawn.

EBb;E. He looked at the princes with rolling eyes gravely# like the 5od of annihilation
at the close of ' alpa ( period. "parks and flames of fire suddenly emerged from the
eyes of that infuriated sage and spread all round in various directions continuously# like
the sparks of alagni ' destructive fire at the time of final annihilation (. The sparks of
fire of the "age6s anger pervaded the 1uarters all round# with columns of smoke
pro)ecting forward and emitting floods of sparks fre1uently.

The sparks emanating from his eyes like the poisonous flames with the cavity of the

belly
ocean.of a python# shone like the flames of the $adavafire ' submarine fire ( of the violent

The fire of anger# 8 great king# that pervaded the spaces in the 1uarters by means of its
flames# enveloped the firmament and burned the sons of "agara.

E. The world became enveloped by the clusters of flames of fire and smoke whirling
round and round on account of the angry ' i.e. violent ( blasts of wind that blew with a
loud report. It became filled with the dusts of the earth too# that were blown up
excessively. Hence# the world became too much afflicted.

E. All round# the fire appeared to be scraping the firmament by means of its flames
struck by the velocity of wind. It immediately burned down completely the sons of the
king who were the enemies of the "uras.

EG. -ven as all the worlds were watching# the fire of apila6s anger reduced the "agaras
to ashes completely# sparing only the horse.

EJ. Thus the sons of "agara# of sinful mind# were burned suddenly on account of that
fire of anger like the dry trees that get consumed in the forest conflagration.

KB. 8n seeing the annihilation of those evil;minded "agaras# the %evas spoke to one
another in wonder# along with the "ages.

K@;KF. 8h# the ultimate bad result of those persons who have committed terrible sins has
not been delayed. Indeed# in this world# men of wicked souls have to meet with a bad
end. These wicked and cruel minded persons# huge in si?e like mountains# have
suddenly and forcibly perished like dry grass in fire.
KE. They had caused anxiety and torture to all living beings. They were extremely
censured by good men throughout their lives. *ortunately# they have met with their
destruction.

KK. hich man can attain happiness in this world after committing an inauspicious
action that is censured by the worlds and that causes harassment to others! K. These
sinners had made all living beings cry aloud. They have now been struck dead by means
of brahmadanda ' the punishing rod of a brahmana (. Hence# on account of their own
evil actions# they have gone to hell where they will be spending many many years.

K. Hence# only good actions should be performed by intelligent persons. The other type
of actions censured by the world should be cast off far away ' i.e. completely avoided (.

K. As long as one is alive# one should strive for the attainment of final beatitude. This
should be done by one who knows what is good for him. 8ne should not harm or in)ure
any one# as life is transitory.

KG. This body is nonpermanent. >iches are extremely fickle. The entire worldly
existence is utterly worthless. How may the learned one believe ' otherwise (!3 KJ. -ven

as the leading
perished after "uras and the
becoming sages were
fuel telling
to the fire one another
of the anger thus#
of thethe sons of "agara
sage.

B. The sons of "agara whose bodies were burnt down suddenly# ' as if ( paralysed the
earth with their ashes and instantaneously fell into hell due to their sinful deeds.

@. After burning those sons of "agara entirely# the fire arising from his anger was on
the point of burning all the worlds suddenly in a moment.

F. The %evas who became frightened gathered together and stood by in the firmament.
,eing desireous of suppressing the fire of anger# they eulogised the noble;souled sage.3

:HAPT-> *I*T/;*8+>

>ecovery of the "acrificial Horse9

<aimini said93 It behoves you# 8 Leading ,rahmana# to restrain immediately this *ire
of anger. If not# the entire universe is likely to be burnt by it untimely. /our greatness
has been seen. The whole world including the mobile and the immobile beings has been
pervaded by this fire of your anger. *orbear# please restrain this anger# 8 leading
,rahmana. 8beisance to you.3

8n being eulogised thus# the saintly apila# immediately controlled the extremely
terrible fire of anger. Thereupon# the entire universe including the mobile and the
immobile beings became calm. %evas and the ascetics became free from distress.

In the meantime# the saintly >ishi 0arada# 8 ing# casually went to Ayodhya from the
%evaloka ' the world of the %evas (.
8n seeing that 0arada had arrived# "agara worshipped him perfectly in accordance
with the in)unctions of the scriptures# with Arghya# Padya and other materials of
worship.

Accepting that honour and worship# 0arada sat on the exalted seat and spoke these
words# 8 ing# to "agara the tiger among kings.

0arada said 9 3 /our sons who had gone to take horse around the# world# 8 excellent
king# have been struck down by the curse of a ,rahmana. All of them have perished.

/our sacrificial horse# 8 ing# that was being guarded by all of them was taken
somewhere in the heaven without being noticed by anyone# as ordained by fate.

They began to search for the lost horse all over the earth. *or a long time# 8 king# they
did not get any information of its whereabouts.

Thereupon# they decided to search for the horse underneath the earth. ,eginning
earnestly# those "agaras dug up the surface of the earth.

hile
it they digging
saw thethe earth#
great sage8apila#
ing# they saw the /ogin.
the leading horse in Patala ' 0etherworlds ( and near

8n seeing him# they committed a sinful deed. All of then being urged by ala '5od of
death(# saying 2This is the robber of the horse3# they made apila sufficiently
infuriated.

Thereupon# your sons perished with their bodies as fuel to the fire emanating from his
eyes and caused by his anger# the fire that burned the 1uarters.

/ou need not grieve over them. It does not behoove you to grieve over them# 8 leading
ing# because they were cruel# of sinful conduct and were creating troubles and
impediments to all people. >etain your courage as your asset.