Maa Lalitha

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Goddess Lalitha is the three-fold form of Ichasakthi (Desire), Kriya (Action) and Gnana (Wisdom). The Legendary origin of the Devi as Goddess Lalitha is told in the `Brammanda Purana'.

 

 

 

 

Once there was in very ancient times a powerful demon by name Taraka. By the virtue of his unequaled powers and strength, he was lording the whole universe and troubled Devas and Gods. An assembly of devas resolved that only Lord Muruga Could destroy Taraka. But the birth of Lord Muruga had been delayed as Lord Siva was engaged in the deep meditation and Sakthi was helping and waiting for him. Immediate birth of Lord Muruga was extremely essential to safeguard the Universe from the hands of the evil demon Taraka. Manmatha, the God of Love was assigned by devas to wake up Lord Shiva from his penance.

He went to the Himalayas where Lord Shiva was in Meditation and sent out his flower-shafts on the three-eyed Lord Siva. Lord Siva's penance was disturbed. He got into uncontrollable mood of anger and burnt Manmatha by opening his third eye. Since the God of Love was no more the process of creation in the entire universe was stopped. When Lord Shiva opened his third eye, two flames of fire were emerged. One flame had burnt Manmatha and the other one was the seed to give birth to Lord Muruga. Thus Lord Muruga takes his Divine Birth.

 

 

 

 

The World of Devas went into the ride of tragedy as there was no creation in view of Manmatha's absence. Every one gathered and surrounded at the feet of Lord Siva. Lord Siva accepted to bless Manmatha for his rebirth. Lord Siva sprinkled the holy water from his Kamandalu over the ashes of Manmatha and he became alive.

 

 

 

At the same time from the smoke came out of the ashes of Manmatha a demon called 'Bandasura'. also born. Maya the architect of the asuras built a city called Sonitapura for the demon's residence and Sukracharya the head of asuras blessed him to become the lord of the three worlds. Immediately the iron hands of the demon, Bandasura acted upon heavily over the righteousness of the worlds. In the meantime Narada advised Indra the king of Gods to perform a fire ritual to please Adi Parashakthi who alone would be able to overcome Banda. Indra , whole heartedly responded the wish of the sage and in the course of his austerities, resolved to perform a yagna, fire sacrifice to Shakthi. A great fire was lighted and the Devi was pleased with all kinds of precious offerings.

 

 

 

 

 

Out of the fire came a lovely figure, the Mahadevi - SRI LALITHAMBIGA embodying the elements of Trimurti, - Lord Brahma - the Creator, Lord Vishnu - the Protector, and Lord Shiva the destroyer. The Gods praised her in eloquent terms as the Universal Mother. Brahma blessed her by advising her to marry Lord Shiva in the name of Kameshwara. After the divine marriage Sri Lalithambiga became the unified force of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakthi. The universal mother Lalitha promised the Gods to destroy Bandasura. Sri Lalitha Devi along with great army destroyed Bandasura in a great battle. All the Gods including Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu congratulated Sree Lalitha Devi for her great success. The Philosophical background of this event is that the`agankara' -ignorance is removed by -`Gnana' - SriVidhya.