ஸ்ரீ பாலா திரிபுர சுந்தரி

BALA

Bala means "girl",Bala's root mantra is aim klim sauh and variations of this mantra are used in her daily ritual. The devata is first visualised as residing in the heart, then later drawn out through the breath and "placed" in the yantra. On installation or invocation, various ritual accessories are offered, and the 1,000 adjectives (names) of the particular deity recited. The Devi is then drawn 'back' into one's heart, and the ritual concludes with various elements "cleaning up" the area of worship.

The five limbs of a ritual panchanga are Patala, Paddhati, Kavacha (Armour), 1,000 Names, and Stotra. The first gives the unfolding of the mantra, usually in coded form. It also describes the meditation image and the yantra of the devata, as well as various optional rites. The second limb describes the ritual worship, including worship of the avarana or attendants of the devata, which are really aspects of the god or goddess. The kavacha is an "armour" used to ward off evil and which may either be recited or written and then worn on the body. The fourth limb consists of the 1,000 names, of which there are very many sets in the tantrik literature. The fifth, the Stotra, is the hymn of praise of the ishtadevata, the tutelary devata of a tantrik sadhaka.

Sri Bala Tripurasudari

Bala Devi is mentioned in Mahakala-Samhita, Mantra Mahodadhi, Sri Lalitopakhyan and Haritayan Samhita or Tripura-Rahasya.

The three eyed Bala Devi has the moon crescent above her forehead and she has in her hands the book and beads, and the other two hands are in Abhay and Dhyan Mudra. She is of red complexion and wears red clothes. Sometimes she is depicted holding Ankusa and Pasa in addition to beads and the book. She is bedecked with the necklace of gems and pearls.
The account of Sri Bala Devi is given in the 22nd chapter of Sri Lalitopakhyan which forms part of Brahmand Purana.

According to this text Sri Bala Devi is said to be the daughter of Sri Lalitmaha Tripura Sundari. At he age of nine years she become terribly angry after seeing the Bandasura and his thirty sons who were marching ahead for a war. Bala Devi requested her mother Maha Bhatarika Sri Lalita Tripura Sundari to allow her to fight with the Bandasura. Permission for which was not allowed by her mother because of her tender age. On her daughter's insistence she not only gave her the permission but also one of her shields and number of her attributes. With this preparation she proceeded on a chariot towards the battle field. After an intense fight she was able to kill the thirty sons of Bandasura.

In Haritayan Samhita or Tripura-Rahasya, (Chapter 63), Bala Devi at the age of eight years is said to have fought directly with Bandasura. Knowing that her mother won't give her the permission she quietly proceeded towards the battle field on a chariot followed by Mantrani and Dandani.

Bala Devi was able to pierce the mighty forces of Bandasura with her rain of arrows and then confronted the Kutilaksh, riding on a mighty elephant, the commander of the forces of Bandasura. Bala Devi showered the arrows on the elephant and thereafter killed Kutilaksh. Bala Devi alone destroyed the army of Bandasura and then directly confronted the Asura. Instead of attacking Bala Devi, Bandasura showered flowery arrows on the Devi. Seeing this the charioteer of Devi was astonished and asked the Devi the reason for the same. Bala Devi said, "In the last incarnation Bandasura was Mahadoot of Srilakshmi and his name was Manik Shekhar. He was an ardent devotee of Bagvati Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari. Because of the curse on him he became Asura and he was told to earn salvation only by being killed by me. Knowing that I am the daughter of Sri Lalita Amba he is worshipping me." The war was destined and both began to fight. After defeating the opponents Bala Devi returned to her abode, Sripuri.