Sunday, April 5, 2009

ஸ்ரீ லலிதையின் சரிதை 4



Tormenting of the three worlds:
When the kingdom was well established, Bhandasura called for a meeting of his brothers and ministers and said :
A) Devatas (Gods) are our enemies. As long as Manmatha was alive, their
lineage continued without any problems. They also enjoyed many pleasures.
B) Now, because of our luck, we have taken birth from the ashes of
Manmatha. The gods are trying to see that Manmatha is born again. We
should not allow that to happen. Before they try anything like that, we
should kill the Devatas.
C) But, if we go in our present form, we can not win. Let us therefore assume
the form of air and enter their bodies.
D) After having so entered their bodies, let us dry up their body fluids,
especially the semen.
E) If semen dries up, the strength of other tissues and organs will
automatically diminish. Then they will automatically be annihilated.
F) 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 joy.
Without wasting much time, Bhandasura and his army of 1000 Akshouhinis
assumed the invisible form of air and entered the heaven.
First of all, they entered the minds of the angels and dried up their mental
faculties. Subsequently 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.
Not only that, their love for one another was also lost. They lost enthusiasm to do anything. Even the plants and animals suffered the same fate. Vishukra, along with his troupes entered Bhooloka (earth) and meted out the same treatment to the beings there. People on the planet earth stopped smiling. They lost all happiness. No one had any respect for another. No one thought of helping the other. They lost interest in their activities. The situation was stone-like, devoid of any life and feelings. Vishanga, along with his troupes entered Rasaatala (one of the seven netherworlds). He created similar havoc there also.In the Naga Loka (land of serpents) everyone became afflicted with grief for no apparent reason. Everyone started hating everyone else. Everyone became drained of energy and potency. Rasa, the fluid principle is the basis for the accomplishment of the four-fold
aims of life (Purusharthas). Let us see how.
A. Rasa itself is the form of Paramatma, the Almighty.
B. From Rasa are created Shukla (sperm) and Shonita (ovum).
These two are collectively called as Veerya.
C. From Veerya comes Kanti (radiance), Utsaaha (enthusiasm), Ullasa
(happiness), Dharma (righteousness), Daya (compassion), Preeti (love),
Buddhi (intellectual capabilities), Vikasa (development), Parakrama (valour)
Shastra Vijnana (scientific knowledge), Kala Asakti (interest in arts),
Soundarya Drishti (proper concept of beauty) etc.
D. In plants, the Rasa enhances the fire energy, which is hidden in them. Only when the fire energy is harnessed, the plants can branch out and bear flowers and fruits. Because of this fire principle, the dried logs catch fire easily and burn.
E. The Vedas have declared that beings can experience happiness only if Rasa is present.
F. Rasa is nothing but Prana (vital energy).
G. Having known all these secrets, Bhandasura devised the plan of entering
the bodies of all beings in the form of air and drying them up.
Vasanta, the close friend and associate of Manmatha observed this immediately and consoled Rati (Manmatha’s wife). He said “Even the sun, the moon and the stars have lost their brilliance. Even Goddess 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. So, stop grieving.” On hearing this, Rati Devi prepared to undertake penance. In the heaven, all the Devatas including Brahma, could not comprehend what was going on and what had caused the situation. Not knowing the remedy for their hardship, they approached Lord Sri Hari.
When they finally reached the abode of Lord Sri Hari, they saw that even He
was sitting still with his eyes closed. It appeared as though He was merged in the bliss of Sushupti. After the angels praised His glory for a long time, Lord Sri Hari slowly opened His eyes, “What is this? Why are you all looking drained of your energies?” asked Lord Sri Hari. He called everyone by their names and said :
A. Your present condition is due to the invisible foul play of Bhandasura.
B. Even I have lost the affinity for Goddess Lakshmi. What to say about other lesser beings?
C. Myself, Brahma and Rudra are Karana Purushas (causal beings for the manifest creation). Even then, because we are also inhabiting this creation, even we can not escape the torture of Bhandasura.
D. There is however one Almighty God who is beyond this manifest
Brahmanda. He is called Maha Shambhu. Parashakti is constantly in His Company.
E. He is devoid of form. He is not dependent on anything. He has no modifications. He is greater than the greatest. He is the ultimate.
F. He is not influenced by the foul play of Bhandasura, who is born from the
ashes of Manmatha.
G. He can rescue us from our difficulties.
Therefore, let us all take refuge in Him and praise Him. Follow me.
So saying, Sri Hari led all the angels to the brim of the Brahmanda (Universe).
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 Chinmaya Akasha, which was Niralamba (independent), Nirajnana (untainted) and which was devoid of the five elements. They all stood in that Chinmaya Akasha and sang the glory of Maha Shambhu, who was of the form of Chidakasha.
Then Maha Shambhu appeared before them. He was dark like clouds. He had
two hands. He was holding a Shoola (spear) in one hand and a Kapala (skull) in the other.
He had three eyes. Parashakti also appeared before them. She was holding Aksha Mala (rosary of beads) and Pustaka (book) in Her hands. She was bright and cool like the moon.
Maha Yaga:
The great Maha Shambhu smiled and said
A. I am aware why you have all come here.
B. Pralaya (destruction) is of three types. (i) Avaantara Pralaya (ii) Maha
Pralaya and (iii) Kama Pralaya.
C. I am the one who is responsible to rescue the world from Maha Pralaya.
Vishnu is the one who rescues from Aavantara Pralaya. It is Lalita Parameshwari who rescues from Kama Pralaya.
D. These three kinds of Pralaya take place in a cyclic pattern in every Kalpa.
Now, Kaamika Pralaya has taken place because of the destruction of Kama and subsequently due to the actions of Bhandasura.
E. Only Lalita Devi can rescue from this situation. Parashakti alone can create
another Lalita Devi. Therefore, take shelter in her. Beg her to help you.
Hearing this, the Devatas did not know what to do. They again prayed to Maha Shambhu to teach them the method of appeasing Parashakti.
Maha Shambhu explained :
A. This is called as Maha Yaga. (great fire sacrifice)
B. I am (assuming the form of Vayu) the Hota (the priest who makes the
offerings in a Homa) in this Yaga (fire sacrifice).
C. My Chidagni itself is the fire in this Yaga.
D. The last of the seven seas, i.e., Jala Samudra (Water Sea) has now dried
up. The huge pit so formed itself is the Homa Kunda (fire pit where Homa is performed)
E. The remaining six great oceans constitute the six drops of ghee which is used as offering.
F. Srishti (creation) is of five types (i) Manasa Srishti (ii) Jarayavee Srishti
(creation-taking place through the womb. E.g. Human beings), (iii) Anda
Srishti (creation taking place through eggs) (iv) Swedaja Srishti (creation
taking place through sweat) and (v)Udbhijja Srishti (creation taking place
by sprouting). These five Srishtis (creations) are the sacrifice animals in
this Maya Yaga.
G. Bhoomi (land), Parvata (mountains), Jala (water), Vayu (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 Chidagni can not be
a substance to be offered.
H. At the end of this great fire sacrifice, all of you (the performers of the Yaga)
should jump in to the Homa Kunda (fire pit). While doing so, you must possess absolute devotion. I. Then, Lalita Parameshwari will manifest.
J. She will be seated in a chariot called Chakra Raja Ratha.
K. She will create Parabrahma in the name of Kameshwara 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.
M. Lalita Parameshwari will bring Manmatha back to life.
N. She will create four weapons, namely (i) Ikshu Dhanus – a bow of
sugarcane (Mano roopekshu kodanda – is one of the 1000 names of
Goddess Lalita)(ii) five Pushpa Banas – flower arrows (Pancha tanmatra
saayaka is one of the 1000 names), (iii) Paasha – noose (Raaga svaroopa
paashaadhyaa – is one of the 1000 names of Lalita) and (iv) Ankusha (a
hook, especially an elephant driver’s hook) (Krodha akaarankushojjvala is
one of the descriptions of Lalita)
O. With the help of these weapons, she will destroy Bhandasura.
P. She will bring Manmatha back to life.
Q. She will give you fresh bodies.
R. If you all agree, I will begin this great sacrifice myself.
The angels became very pleased and begged Maha Shambhu to be the Hota
and carry on the sacrifice. Parashakti and Maha Shambhu disappeared.The angels also returned to their abode. After some time, Maha Shambhunatha, accompanied by Parashakti started chanting the Lalita Maha Mantra and entered the Universe in the form of the seven layered Vayu (air). Parashakti assumed the form of His Kriya Shakti (energy of action).
With the help of Kriya Shakti, Vayu blew the Jala Samudra with all his energy.
The Jala Samudra (water ocean) became totally dry.
In the pit thus formed He kindled the Chidagni with the help of fire emanating from the third eye. This Agni raged from the Patala (a region in the nether-world) to the Brahma Loka.
He decorated the periphery of the Homa Kunda with the stars just as one decorates a sacrificial fire pit with flowers. After this, he performed the Yaga as ordained by the Vedas. He used the Pralaya Meghas (clouds appearing during Pralaya), namely Pushkala and Aavartaka as Srik and Sruva (the two spoons which are used to offer ghee in fire worship).
As the Homa progressed, the Chidagni 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 Srik and Sruva, ready to be offered to Agni. Maha Shambhunatha offered them to Agni. After this, Maha Shambhunatha discarded his Vayu form and assumed his real form. He then chanted 8 special mantras and performed 8 Homas.
Manifestation of Lalita Devi:
At the end of the Homa, Lalita Devi came out of the Chidagni Homa Kunda,
seated on a special chariot called “Chakra Raja Ratha”. Therefore, we find the descriptions such as “Chidagnikunda sambhoota” “Deva kaarya samudyataa” and “Chakra Raja Rathaa Roodha Sarvaayudha Parishkritaa” in Lalita Sahasranama.
The Sri Chakra Raja Ratha had the following dimensions:
A. Width 4 Yojanas (1 Yojana is approximately 9 miles)
B. Height 10 Yojanas
C. Parvas (landings) 9 in number
D. Chakras (wheels) – the four Vedas
E. Horses – the four-fold aims (Purusharthas)
F. Flag absolute bliss
G. The seat at the topmost landing is the Bindu Peetha.
H. Form : of the form of Meru Prastara.
I. The material that was used to make this was ‘Tejas’
The Lalita Parameshwari so manifested, created a male form from within Herself. His name was Kameshwara. By her power of will, she created 4 different weapons. They were (i)Ikshu
Dhanus (ii) Five arrows, (iii) Pasha (noose) and 4 Ankusha (a special hook). She held all these weapons in her hands. We see the description – “Chaturbahu samanvitaa” in the Lalita Sahasranama. She was shining like the morning sun, with crimson color. (Udyad bhanu sahasraabhaa is a description found in Lalita Sahasranama) Her beauty was full in all aspects.(Sarvarunaanavadyangee sarvaabharana bhooshitaa – Lalita Sahasranama) She always appears as though she is 16 years of age. (Nityaa shodashikaa roopaa is a description in Lalita Sahasranama). This description has two meanings.One meaning is that she always appears as one who is sixteen years of age. The other meaning is, there are 16 Nityaa Devis. She is of the form of these 16 Nityaa Devis. Maha Shambhunatha praised Her in many ways.
Order of Creation
She extended Herself in both male and female forms and continued the process of creation.
A. From the left eye, which was of the nature of Soma (moon) came Brahma and Lakshmi Devi.
B. From the right eye, which was of the nature of Soorya (sun) came Vishnu and Parvati.
C. From the third eye, which was of the nature of Agni (fire), came Rudra and Sarasvati.
D. Lakshmi & Vishnu, Shiva & Parvati and Brahma & Sarasvati became couples.
E. Lalita Devi directed them to continue the process of Creation. She herself continued to create certain things.
(i) From her long hair she created darkness.
(ii) From her eyes, she created the sun, the moon and the fire.
(iii) From the pendent hanging in front of her forehead came the stars
(iv) From the chain above her forehead came the nine planets.
(v) From the eyebrows, she created the penal code.
(vi) From her breath, she created the Vedas.
(vii) From her speech, she created poetry and plays.
(viii) From her chin she created the Vedangas.
(ix) From the three lines in her neck, she created various Shaastras.
(x) From her breasts, she created mountains.
(xi) From her mind, she created the power of bliss.
(xii) From her fingernails, she created the 10 incarnations of Vishnu.
(xiii) From her palms, she created the Sandhyas.
(xiv) She created other things as narrated in the Purusha Sookta.
(xv) From her heart, she created Baalaa Devi.
(xvi) From her intellect, she created Shyamala Devi.
(xvii) From her ego, she created Vaaraahi Devi.
(xviii) From her smile, she created Vighneshwara.
(xix) From the Ankusha (a special hook), she created Sampatkaree Devi.
(xx) Form the noose, she created Ashwaa Roodha Devi.
(xxi) From her cheeks, she created Nakuleshvari Devi.
(xxii) From her Kundalini Shakti, she created Gayatri.
(xxiii) From the eight wheels of the Chakra Raja chariot, she created 8 Devatas.
(xxiv) In the 9th landing, in the Bindu Peetha, she herself was seated.
(xxv) Afterwards, she created the Devatas who would protect the Chakra Raja chariot.After having thus completed the great creation, Lalita Devi requested her consort, Shiva Kama Sundara to created the Shiva Chakra.
He immediately brought out a big humming sound and from this, the Shiva
Chakra Devatas numbering 23 manifested. Later, Lalita Devi crowned Shyamala Devi as the prime minister. Therefore Shyamala Devi is called Mantrini Devi.Lalita Devi handed over the finger ring to Mantrini Devi. She made Vaartaalee Devi the chief of her army. Therefore Vaartaalee Devi is also called as Dandanaathaa Devi. She is also called as Vaaraahee Devi.
Lalita Devi created a mace (a weapon) from her eye brows and gave it to Dandanathaa Devi. After this, Lalita Devi created two chariots from her chariot and gave them to Mantrini Devi and Dandanatha Devi. Mantini Devi’s chariot is called “Geya Chakra Ratha”. This chariot used to make musical sounds whenever it moved.Dandanatha Devi’s chariot is called “Kiri Chakra Ratha” Later, Lalita Devi hummed with rage. From this hum, 64000000 Yoginis were born. Another 64000000 Bhairavas were also born. Innumerable Shakti Senas (armies) were also created by her hum.
(to be continued)

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