Lalitopakhyana [ The story of the Goddess Lalita ] 4

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Lalitopakhyana – I [ See Message 11530 ]

Lalitopakhyana – II [ See Message 11579 ]

Lalitopakhyana – III [ See Message 11680 ]

 

Lalitopakhyana – IV

 

Birth of Bhandasura

 

150. At this point of time, Chitrakarma, the commander of one of the

Rudra Ganas (Gana = troupe) one day started toying with the ash of

the burnt Manmatha and prepared a doll out of it. He took this doll

to Lord Shiva.

 

151. Lord Shiva's intentions are indeed unfathomable. As soon as

the

doll neared Lord Shiva, it sprang to life and the boy thus born

prostrated before Lord Shiva and Chitrakarma.

 

152. Chitrakarma was overwhelmed with joy. He gave the boy the

Upadesha of Shata-Rudreeya Mantra and asked him to undertake penance.

 

153. When the penance reached the stage of fruition, Lord Shiva

appeared before him. He asked Lord Shiva to grant him a special

boon "anyone who fights against me should immediately lose half

of

his strength and that strength should be added to my strength. None

of the weapons of my opponents should be able to bind me" was his

request. Immediately Lord Shiva granted the boon and added, "I am

also bestowing on you the boon of ruling the kingdom for sixty

thousand years". After giving these boons, Lord Shiva disappeared.

 

154. He became surprised and a bit apprehensive by the words of Lord

Shiva. But soon he forgot it.

 

155. Lord Brahma, who was witnessing all this, grew frustrated and

swore "Bhand", "Bhand" (meaning shame, shame). From

then on, he got

the name "Bhanda". Because of his qualities he became an

Asura

(demon) and entered the domain of Asuras. This is how he got the

name `Bhandasura'.

 

156. In the mean time, from the remnants of the ash of Manmatha were

born two demons – Vishukra and Vishanga. These two became the

main

brothers of Bhandasura.

 

157. In addition, thousands of Rakshasas (demons) were born out of

the ash of Manmatha. All of them became followers of Bhandasura.

They formed a strong army of 300 Akshouhinis (one Akshouhini

consists of 21870 elephants, 65610 horses and 109350 soldiers).

 

158. Having come to know about the birth of thousands of Rakshasas,

Shukracharya (the guru of Rakshasas) came there and assumed the role

of the Guru for all those Rakshasas and initiated them to undertake

regular Anushthanas (daily rituals).

 

159. He also summoned Maya, the architect-builder of demons and

asked him to create a new city in the province of Mahendra

Mountains. He named the city as `Shoonyaka Pattana'

 

160. Shukracharya asked all the demons to move to the new city. He

crowned Bhandasura as the king of the newly formed kingdom and made

Vishukra and Vishanga the Yuvarajas (princes) of that kingdom.

 

161. Bhandasura had four wives. 1. Sammohini, 2. Kumudini, 3.

Chitrangi 4.

Sundari.

 

162. Under the guidance of Shukracharya, activities like fire

sacrifices, Vedic

education and penance went on uninterruptedly in every house.

 

Tormenting of the three worlds:

163. 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.

 

164. Hearing this, the entire army of the demons cheered with joy.

 

165. Without wasting much time, Bhandasura and his army of 1000

Akshouhinis assumed the invisible form of air and entered the heaven.

 

166. First of all, they entered the minds of the angels and dried up

their mental faculties.

 

167. Subsequently they entered the face of the angels, robbed them

of their beauty and made them ugly looking.

 

168. All the women and men in the heaven became impotent and sterile.

 

169. Not only that, their love for one another was also lost. They

lost enthusiasm to do anything.

 

170. Even the plants and animals suffered the same fate.

 

171. Vishukra, along with his troupes entered Bhooloka (earth) and

meted out the same treatment to the beings there.

 

172. 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.

 

173. Vishanga, along with his troupes entered Rasaatala (one of the

seven nether worlds). He created similar havoc there also.

 

174. 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.

 

175. Rasa, the fluid principle is the basis for the accomplishment

of the four-fold aims of life (Purusharthas).

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.

176. 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."

 

177. On hearing this, Rati Devi prepared to undertake penance.

 

178. 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.

 

179. 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.

 

180. "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.

 

181. So saying, Sri Hari led all the angels to the brim of the

Brahmanda (Universe). There was a huge wall like fence there.

 

182. The angels summoned the celestial elephants to break the wall.

After toiling continuously for one year, a breach was formed in the

wall.

 

183. After passing through the breach, they saw Chinmaya Akasha,

which was Niralamba (independent), Nirajnana (untainted) and which

was devoid of the five elements.

 

184. They all stood in that Chinmaya Akasha and sang the glory of

Maha Shambhu, who was of the form of Chidakasha.

 

185. 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.

 

186. 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.

 

 

to be continued

[ Extraction from English version of Lalitopakhyana by Ganapati

Sachchidananda ]

[Shaluu]

Hi,

 

I missed verses 216 - 222 in the translations as well as I can't seem to find the 1st part of this series. The link does not show up in search.

 

I'd appreciate if you could help me find it as i am beginning lalita pooja and need to read this as part of it.

 

Thanks and regards

 

Shaluu