॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Monday, 23 January 2023 VII.10 Part 2 - Lord Shiva becomes Tripurari.
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यूयं नृलोके बत भूरिभागा लोकं पुनाना मुनयोऽभियन्ति । येषां गृहानावसतीति साक्षाद्गू ढं परं ब्रह्म मनुष्यलिङ्गम् ॥
T: Narada concludes this story of Narasimha Avatara by telling Yudhishthira: "My dear Yudhishthira, all of you are most fortunate in having Bhagavan Sri Krishna as your materal uncle's son, with such proximity and affection. In addition, His presence means your palace is frequented by many great souls! Even Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva cannot adequately explain Bhagavan's glory!"
"Long ago, when the Asura Mayaa created a situation to discredit Lord Shiva, Bhagavan stepped in and sorted the situation out." This triggers the king's curiosity.
Narada tells the story:
Mayaa created an invisible trio of cities to protect the Asuras from the powerful Devas. He was a powerful magical expert. These invisible cities were also aerial vehicles equipped with innumerable deadly weapons. The Asuras took full advantage of this creation and destroyed the gods' abodes as well as their confidence, driving them to seek the help of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva reassured the gods and shot arrows at the Tripura (three cities) of the Asuras. The arrows multiplied many-fold and resembled the rays of the sun as they destroyed the Tripura cities. Mayaa at once immersed the distraught and defeated Asuras into Amritakunda (a large reservoir of ambrosia) that immediately restored and energised the Asuras like never before. They were strong and stood like lightning arrays. Tripura was also re-established.
Lord Vishnu did not want Lord Shiva's efforts to go in vain. He became a cow, and with Brahma as the calf, entered into the recreated Tripura. The two simply drank up all the ambrosia.
When the Asuras realised the fact that Vishnu and Brahma had infiltrated their city, they were chagrined, but Mayaa consoled them that all this was the play of inexorable Karma.
अथासौ शक्तिभि: स्वाभि: शम्भो: प्राधानिकं व्यधात् । धर्मज्ञानविरक्त्यृद्धितपोविद्याक्रियादिभि: ॥
रथं सूतं ध्वजं वाहान्धनुर्वर्मशरादि यत् । सन्नद्धो रथमास्थाय शरं धनुरुपाददे ॥
T: Bhagavan now created with His power a whole array of weapons for Lord Shiva. Dharma became the chariot, Jnana was the charioteer, Vairagya was the military flag, Bhagavan's divine treasures became the horses, Tapas became the bow, Vidya became the shield, Kriya and other Shaktis became arrows. Lord Shiva mounted the chariot, chose the Abhijit Muhurta and used the weapons to strike and destroy the Tripura cities in an instant. Heavens celebrated this famous victory.
That is how Lord Shiva has earned the epithets "Tripurari" and 'Purari". Being hailed by Brahma and everyone else, Lord Shiva returned to his abode.
एवं विधान्यस्य हरे: स्वमायया विडम्बमानस्य नृलोकमात्मन: ।
वीर्याणि गीतान्यृषिभिर्जगद्गुरोर्लोकं पुनानान्यपरं वदामि किम् ॥
T: "This is how Bhagavan by His Maya manages the various inexplicable Leelas or sports we see in all His creation among all creatures. That is why the great Rishis constantly sing His praises and recount His glories and pastimes. What more can I tell you, oh, King?"
