Tripurahara & Thatha

TRIPURAHARA & THATHA
(Dedicated to the young ones)

(It was Pradosham. My daughter was reciting her newly learnt Shivaananda Lahari adopting a Raagam each for each verse. Hardly had she reached the 3rd verse when my father (now late) interrupted and the two got lost in an animated conversation thereafter, my father doing most of the talking. In the process I learnt a story too. This is how it went.
“Alright! Trinethra, Trinayana, Trichakshuh, and Trilochana – all refer to the three-eyed Lord Siva. Hara the destroyer is also Siva. But Tripurahara (in verse 3), (granting that is also Siva,) how did He get this name?” quizzed my father.
“Well… How Thatha? Did Siva destroy 3 cities or something?” responded my daughter taking a pot- shot in the dark based on her elementary Sanskrit.
“Not bad. You are spot on…..and thereby hangs a tale. And by the way, for better effect one is supposed to recite one verse each alternately from Shivaananda Lahari and Saundarya Lahari”, advised my father and proceeded to narrate the story.)

Maya, the Danava, was the architect of the Asuras. As he saw the Asuras repeatedly wage war on the Devas and suffer one defeat after the other, he became thoughtful. At last, he perceived that the Devas are successful because of their ascetic power and merit. He then resolved to perform a very difficult penance to accumulate ascetic merit and defeat the Gods.

He expounded his plan to the other Asuras. Two powerful Asuras, named Vidyunmalin, and Tarakaksha offered to join him in his meditations. Maya along with the other two retired to a remote place and performed a tough penance for many thousand years.

At last, Lord Brahma was pleased and appeared before them and offered them boons. Naturally, all three wanted immortality. Upon being told that it was impossible, Maya said, "We Asuras live in constant fear of the Devas. Our cities are not safe from the assaults of the Gods. I shall construct three forts, one each of iron, silver and gold. Let them be impregnable against all Gods."

Brahma said, "Just as mortals may not obtain immortality, inanimate objects also cannot be impregnable. You must choose the mode of these forts' destruction also. You can make it as difficult as you wish, making them practically impregnable."

Maya said, "Let them not be destroyed unless Lord Shiva himself destroys all three with a single flaming arrow." Now, Maya was a great devotee of Shiva and was confident of his protection, so he proposed this method of destruction. Moreover, he knew Shankara Bhagawan was ever immersed in dhyana and will have no time and would not be a threat to them.

Lord Brahma said, "So be it." and disappeared.

Maya put forth all his skills and constructed three great forts, of iron (for Taraksha), of silver (for Vidyunmalin) and of gold (for himself). These forts were also well stocked with all sorts of advanced weapons to fend off invaders. When word got round of their safety, all the Asuras flocked to them. Soon, you could not find an Asura who lived outside these forts. The three forts were known as Tripura (Tri=three, pura=city). Usually they floated separately in the sky, but their orbits were such that, whenever the star Pushya was ascendant that too in a particular manner, they became a single fort.

Thanks to the benevolent nature of Maya, the Asuras were no longer evil. They were all great devotees of Lord Shiva. Regular worship was offered to him. Of course, this tame state of affairs could not last long. Slowly, the demons became intoxicated with a sense of their own importance. They let loose a reign of oppression on all creatures. Maya repeatedly warned them against their evil acts, but they would not listen.

Indra and the Devas were alarmed at this development. They went to the abode of Brahma and said to him, "Sire, Please save us from the ravages of these demons. They are threatening to turn the whole world upside down! Because of your boon, we cannot defeat these Asuras as long as they are safe in their forts."

Brahma said, "Only Lord Shiva can help us now. Let us all pray to him."

Accordingly, all of them prayed to Lord Shiva. One name of Shiva Bhagawan is Rudra - one who cries or howls. Because he is always indignant at adharma in the world. He is also called Ashutosha - He who wipes away tears because He is always ready to comfort His bhaktas. Seeing the distress of the Devas and Rshis and the wicked acts of the Asuras, He roused Himself from his yoga and prepared for battle. He appeared before them and consented to destroy the cities. The earth became the special chariot for Shiva; the mountain Mandara his bow; and Vishnu his arrow. Brahma became his charioteer. The entire army of Devas was arrayed behind him. The battle began. The Ganas also fought alongside the Devas. Nandi slew Vidyunmalin after a fierce battle. But, Maya brought the Asura back to life with the help of an herbal bath.

Seeing Vidyunmalin come back to life, the Asuras cheered loudly and fought with renewed vigour. At this point Shiva entered the battlefield and the Asuras were scattered, unable to bear the onslaught of the Lord. Maya sought to rally the demons, reminding them that the forts were impregnable as long as Shiva did not destroy them with a single arrow.

Nandi killed Tarakaksha in battle. He then engaged Vidyunmalin in combat and slew that demon for a second time. At this time, the star Pushya became ascendant. The three cities became the single city of Tripura. This was the moment Shiva was waiting for. He affixed a flaming arrow to his bow and let it fly. The arrow burned Tripura and all the demons within. The only survivor was Maya, who was saved because of his good deeds and unswerving devotion to Shiva. However, from that day, he began living underwater, afraid to live in a city.

Likewise Tripurantaka (meaning who finished the 3 cities) or Tripurari (enemy of 3 cities) also mean Siva. Some opine that the three cities are the three gunas - sattva, rajas, and tamas. Brahman is nirguna, beyond even sattva. Others interpret Tripurahara as one who destroys the sthuula, suukshhma, and kaaraNa shariira-s; and gives videha mukti. (verse3 Shivaananda Lahari)

Tripura-sundari (in Lalithaa Sahasranaamam) means the spouse of Tripuraari. In the muuka-panca-shati stotram She is addressed as pura-hara-jaaye -- jaaya means wife, pura-hara is the same as (tri) puraari or tripuraantaka.

Now that was quite an insight into the word TRIPURAHARA!!!!

(Months had passed. It was one of those pradosham days once again. My daughter had acquired fair amount of exposure to Shivaananda Lahari recitation. This time it was Verse 16---‘virinchir deerghaayur bhavathu…….in Hindola raagam. I became restless. I got up; picked my walking stick and went out for a long walk. It was drizzling and that suited me for I will get wet and no one would notice my tears, my silent grief thinking of my old man. Hindolam (Maalkose in Hindustani classical) is a stirring raagam which churns one’s emotion no less. When I came back,
“Enna?... where did you go in the rain?” asked my wife.
“Nowhere in particular…..” I replied.
“Here take this towel and wipe yourself.. You will catch cold” said my wife.

“Appa, which is faster, cold or heat,” quizzed my daughter.
“Don’t know child…….. Which one?” I pleaded.
“Heat; because you can catch a cold as mother says”, my daughter laughed.

“Alright, What always falls without getting hurt?” I asked not to be left behind.
“uuummm Sorry Appa. I know the answer. It is Rain!” she replied.

I thanked the good Lord for allowing me to be a part of such wonderful family.)
Rgds
V V R
28th May 06