Tripura Sundari
Devi Tripura Sundari appeared to destroy the demon Bhandasura. She is also known by names like Lalita, Shodashi, and Rajarajeshwari. She is one of the Dasha Mahavidyas.
She is called Tripura Sundari because there is no one more beautiful than her in all three worlds — heaven, earth, and the pathala. Adi Shankaracharya’s Soundarya Lahari is a description of her divine beauty. Tripura Sundari is another form of Goddess Parvati.
You may know the story of how Lord Shiva burnt Kama Deva to ashes. From those ashes, the demon Bhandasura was born. He became a big threat to all three worlds. The Devas, who were thrown out of swarga by him, prayed to Devi and performed a great yajna.
From the fire of that yajna, Tripura Sundari appeared as a 16-year-old divine girl — this is why she is also called Shodashi. Later, the Devas arranged her marriage with Kameshwara (Shiva). Bala Devi is their daughter.
Devi is shown sitting on a throne with four corpses — Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, and Ishana — as its legs. Corpse of Sadashiva is the seat. This shows that without Devi, even these great gods are powerless. She is the one who controls them all.
Her form is glowing red, with three eyes, a crescent moon on her forehead, and a gentle smile. She holds:
- Ankusha – shows she has control over everything
- Pasha – used to bind evil forces
- Sugarcane bow and arrows – They are of Kamadeva, symbols of desire, showing her power over love and emotions
Her main form of worship is the Sri Chakra Puja.
Famous temples include the Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur (Tripura) and the Kamakshi Temple in Kanchipuram.
Lalita Panchami (during Navaratri) and Magha Purnima are celebrated as the days of her appearance.
Her thousand names are listed in the Lalita Sahasranama. Her most important mantras are the Panchadashi and Shodashi mantras.
English
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