LalithA SahasranAma: bhandAsurendra nirmukta sastra pratyastra varsini

[Guest guest]

bhandAsurendra nirmukta sastra pratyastra varsini : She is

showering missiles in response to the weapons thrown by BandAsura.

 

According to Dhanurveda, the difference between Sastra and astra is

as follows : Sastra is that with which one strikes his enemies. It

is always held in hand. Astra is that which is thrown out, or

discharged by the hand, as the arrow of a bow.

 

MahAganesa, is the mastery over puryastaka or the city of eight

things. It means the realization of self. The magic figure of

Visukra and the missiles of BhandAsura refer to the different

modifications of nescience [avidyA]; and "Devi showering missiles"

means the continuance of the act of realizing the supreme

individuality.

 

 

BhAskararAya's Commentary

Translated into English by R. Ananthakrishna Sastry.