३२ द्वात्रिंशदशकः - यक्षकथा 32 dvaatrimshadashakah' - yakshakathaa Dasakam 32 Yaksha katha- the story of Yaksha

 ३२ द्वात्रिंशदशकः - यक्षकथा

32 dvaatrimshadashakah' - yakshakathaa

Dasakam 32 Yaksha katha- the story of Yaksha

( To prove that none of the gods are independent of her the Goddess takes a

form of a Yakshi and challenges them. The devas realize they do not have any

power without her. Indra did thapas and pleased her. This story occurs in

eighth chapter of the twelfth book of Devi Bhagawatham as also in

Kenopanishad,)

पुरा सुरा वर्ष शतं रणेर्ु

निरन्तरे र्ु त्वदिुग्रहे ण ।

नवनित्य दै त्याि् िििीमनप त्वां

नवस्मृत्य दृप्ता नितरां बभूवुुः ॥ ३२-१॥

puraa suraa varshashatam raneshu

nirantareshu tvadanugrahena .

vijitya daityaan jananeemapi tvaam

vismri'tya dri'ptaa nitaraam babhoovuh' .. 32-1..

1. Many years ago, the devas, defeated the asuras for 100

   years continuously, due to your blessings. Because of

   which, they even forgot you, who is their mother and

   became very proud.

   Here, the story of how devi destroyed the pride of the

   devas and blessed them is going to begin. Many years ago,

   initially, a war between the devas and the asuras took

   place for 100 years. Due to devi’s blessings the devas

   always won the war. They assumed that they won because

   of their own capability. Eventually, they even forgot the

  devi who had helped them to win the war. They became

  too over-confident and proud.

  In ancient days, the Asuras, maddened with pride, fought

  against the Devas for one hundred years. The war was very

  extraordinary and remarkable. In this great war various

  weapons were used, variegated with numerous Māyās or

  ingenious devices. It tended to destroy the whole world. By

  the mercy of the Highest and the Most Exalted Śakti, the

  Daityas were overcome by the Devas in that Great War.

  And they quitted the Heavens and the Earth and went to

  the nether regions, the Pātāla. The Devas were all delighted

  and began to dwell on their own prowess and became

  proud.

मयैव दै त्या बलवत्तरे ण

हता ि चान्यैररनत शक्रमुख्ाुः ।

दे वा अभूवन्ननतदपषवन्त-

स्त्वं दे नव चान्तुः कुरुर्े स्म हासम् ॥ ३२-२॥

mayaiva daityaa balavattarena

hataa na chaanyairiti shakramukhyaah' .

devaa abhoovannatidarpavanta-

stvam devi chaantah' kurushe sma haasam .. 32-2..

The Asuras were all killed by me who is strong. The cause of

the destruction of the asuras was only because of me,

nobody else. Thus, thinking like this Indra and the other

devas, became very proud. Oh Goddess, you kept on

laughing in your mind.

We had mentioned that the devas had become very

arrogant. Each deva assumed that the devas won over the

asura because of their presence and became proud. It was

the all-powerful devi that was always protecting the devas

during times of trouble. Even that the devas forgot. Seeing

the lowliness of the devas, devi just smiled.

तच्चित्तदपाष सुरिाशिाय

तेिोमयं यक्षवपुदषधािा ।

त्वं िानतदू रे स्वयमानवरासी-

स्त्वां वासवाद्या ददृशुुः सुरौघाुः ॥ ३२-३॥

tachchittadarpaasuranaashanaaya

tejomayam yakshavapurdadhaanaa .

tvam naatidoore svayamaaviraasee-

stvaam vaasavaadyaa dadri'shuh' suraughaah' .. 32-3..

3.For the sake of destroying the asura in the form of pride in

their mind, you appeared before them in a lustrous form of a

Yakshi and appeared in a place not far away from them.

Indra and other devas saw you.

The asuras were always the troublemakers for the devas.

During fag-end of their(devas) prayers, the asuras existence

as pride in the minds of the devas were very strong. It was

devi who was subduing the asuras. Devi took a lustrous form

and appeared, not very far-away, in front of the devas. The

devas saw that ghost-lustre.

“Why shall not victory be ours. Why are not our glories

great? We are by far the best! Where are the Daityas? They

are devils, powerless. We are the causes of creation,

preservation and destruction. We all are glorious! Oh! What

can be said before us in favour of the Asuras, the devils?”

Thus, not knowing the Highest Śhakti, the Devas were

deluded. At this moment, seeing this plight of the Devas, the

World Mother took pity on the Devas and, to favour them, O

King! She appeared before them in the form of the Most

Worshipful, the Great Holy Light. It was resplendent like ten

million Suns, and cool as well like ten million Moons.

सद्युः नकलाशङ्क्यत तैररदं नकं

मायाऽऽसु री वेनत ततो मघोिा ।

अनिनिषयुक्तो भवतीमवाप्तुः

पृष्टस्त्वया कोऽनस कुतोऽनस चेनत ॥ ३२-४॥

sadyah' kilaashankyata tairidam kim

maayaa''suree veti tato maghonaa .

agnirniyukto bhavateemavaaptah'

pri'sht'astvayaa ko'si kuto'si cheti .. 32-4..

4.They immediately fearfully thought like this. “What is this?

Could it be an illusion created by the asuras? Afterwards

send by Indra, the fire God agni approached you. You asked

him, “Who are you? And where from are you?”

The devas got scared on seeing this hazardous element-that

it was an illusion by the asuras. In order to find out who it is,

and what does it want, indra sent the fire god agni. Agni

thought that only he was capable of doing that-the other

devas cannot-hence indra gave him that responsibility-the

bloating of pride! When agni went close to the light the

element asked like this-who are you? Where are you coming

from?

Thus, coming to this ultimate conclusion, Indra called Agni

and said :-- “O Agni! You are the mouthpiece of the Devas.

Therefore, you go first and ascertain distinctly what this Light

is.” Hearing thus the words of Indra, Agni, elated by his own

prowess, set out immediately from the place and went to

that Light. Seeing Agni coming, the Light addressed him thus

:-- “Who are you? What is your strength? State this before

Me.”

स चाह सवैनवषनदतोऽनिरच्चस्म

मय्येव नतष्ठत्यच्चिलं िगि ।

शक्नोनम दग्ुं सकलं हनवभुषङ्म-

द्वीयषतो दै त्यगणा निताश्च ॥ ३२-५॥

sa chaaha sarvairvidito'gnirasmi

mayyeva tisht'hatyakhilam jagachcha .

shaknomi dagdhum sakalam havirbhung-

madveeryato daityaganaa jitaashcha .. 32-5..

5.He(Agni) told , “I am known to all as the fire god agni. The

entire world rests on me. I am strong enough to digest all

the offerings offered during a yagya. The asura army was

defeated by my valour”

Agni answered all the questions asked by the element: “I am

agni, the one who eats the offerings offered during a yagya. I

eat everything and am famous all over the world. I am

capable of defeating any asura with my hands”-pride filled

words!

At this Agni replied :-- “I am Agni. All the yajñās, ordained in

the Vedas are performed through me. The power of burning

everything in this universe resides in me.”

इतीररता शुष्कतृणं त्वमेकं

पुरो निधायात्थ दहै तदाशु ।

एवं ज्वलन्ननिररदं च दग्ुं

कुवषि् प्रयत्नं ि शशाक मत्तुः ॥ ३२-६॥

iteeritaa shushkatri'nam tvamekam

puro nidhaayaattha dahaitadaashu .

evam jvalannagniridam cha dagdhum

kurvan prayatnam na shashaaka mattah' .. 32-6..

6. After hearing all this, you took a dried blade of grass and

kept it in front of him and said to him, ’Burn this quickly.” The

proud Agni , burnt with great flame, to burn that blade of

grass, in spite of putting in great effort, he could not do it.

“I have the strength to burn anything”, is what agni had

previously bragged. ““Then burn this” saying thus the

element kept a dry blade of grass in front of him. Agni burnt

bright and began to glow. He could not burn even the end of

the blade of grass.

Then that adorable Light took up a straw of grass and said :--

“O Agni! If you can burn everything in this universe, then can

you burn this trifling straw.” Agni tried his best to burn the

straw but he could not burn it. He got ashamed and fast

went back to the Devas.

स िष्टगवषुः सहसा निवृत्त-

स्ततोऽनिलो वज्रभृता नियुक्तुः ।

त्वां प्राप्तवािनिवदे व पृष्टो

दे नव स्वमाहात्म्यवचो बभार्े ॥ ३२-७॥

sa nasht'agarvah' sahasaa nivri'tta-

stato'nilo vajrabhri'taa niyuktah' .

tvaam praaptavaanagnivadeva pri'sht'o

devi svamaahaatmyavacho babhaashe .. 32-7..

7.The pride of fire God was destroyed, and he went back in

haste. After this the wind God, Vayu, was sent by Indra, and

approached you. On hearing the same questions that you

asked the fire God, The Wind God told about his fame in the

following way.

Agni’s pride was destroyed. Neither could he burn the blade

of grass nor could he find out who the bright element was.

Agni returned. Then, indra told vayu, The wind god to go.

Vayu also puffed up with pride, like agni. Then the element

asked vayu,” who are you?” “from where are you?” the same

questions that was asked to agni. Hearing the questions ,

vayu started elaborating his own glories.

Indra then asked Vāyu (wind) and said :-- “O Vāyu! You are

dwelling in this universe, through and through; by your

efforts, all are moving; therefore, you are the Prāṇa of all; it is

possible that all forces are concentrated within you. Go and

ascertain what is this Light? Verily I do not see any other

person here than you who can ascertain this great adorable

Light.” Hearing these commendable words of Indra, Vāyu felt

himself elated and went at once to that place where was that

Light.

Seeing the Vāyu, the Light, the Yakṣha, the deva, the Spirit

asked in a gentle language :-- “Who are you? What strength

is there in you? Speak out all these to me.” At this, Vāyu

spoke arrogantly,

मां मातररश्वािमवेनह सवे

व्यापारवन्तो नह मयैव िीवाुः ।

ि प्रानणिुः सच्चन्त मया नविा च

गृह्णानम सवं चलयानम नवश्वम् ॥ ३२-८॥

maam maatarishvaanamavehi sarve

vyaapaaravanto hi mayaiva jeevaah' .

na praaninah' santi mayaa vinaa cha

gri'hnaami sarvam chalayaami vishvam .. 32-8..

8.”Please understand that I am the wind God, all living

things, with my help, penetrates into everything, if separated

from me, living things cannot last.” I hold everything. I have

the capacity to move anything.

Vayu, the wind God, introduced himself to the element. He

spoke with arrogance. It is because of him that all living

things are able to breathe; he is the one who gives the power

of life to all living things; he can take away anything; can

shake anything-this continues vayu’s prattle.

“I am Mātarisvan, I am Vāyu; about my strength, I can move

anything and I hold everything. It is through the strength of

mine, that this universe is, and is alive and brisk with

movements and works.”

इत्युक्तमाकर्ण्ष तृणं तदे व

प्रदर्श्ष चैतिलये त्यभाणीुः ।

प्रभञ्जिस्तत्स च कमष कतुष -

-मशक्त एवास्तमदो निवृत्तुः ॥ ३२-९॥

ityuktamaakarnya tri'nam tadeva

pradarshya chaitachchalayetyabhaaneeh' .

prabhanjanastatsa cha karma kartu-

mashakta evaastamado nivri'ttah' .. 32-9..

9.Hearing  these words, showed him the same blade of dry

grass, “Try to move this” you told him (vayu). The wind God

blew a very great storm, in spite of it, he was unable to

perform the deed and returned back with his pride

destroyed.

Devi might have laughed within, hearing vayu praising

himself. She kept the same blade of dry grass she had kept in

front of the fire god. “Try to move this” she ordered. A strong

wind blew there. But not a portion of the dry grass moved.

The words, “I can move anything”, that vayu had used was of

no use. His pride was destroyed. Vayu also returned. In this

way agni’s and vayu’s pride were destroyed.

“O Vāyu! Move this straw that lies before you, and if you

cannot, quit your pride and go back to Indra ashamed.” At

this Vāyu tried all his might but, alas! He could not move the

straw a bit from that place! Vāyu then gave up his pride and

returned to the Devas and spoke to them all about the Yakṣa

(a sort of a ghost). O Devas! Our pride is vain; in no way can

we be able to ascertain the nature of that Light. It seems that

that Holy Light, adorable by all, is extraordinary.

अथानतमािी शतमन्युरन्त-

रनिं च वायुं च हसन्नवाप ।

त्वां यक्षरूपां सहसा नतरोऽभूुः

सोऽदह्यतान्तुः स्वलघुत्वभीत्या ॥ ३२-१०॥

athaatimaanee shatamanyuranta-

ragnim cha vaayum cha hasannavaapa .

tvaam yaksharoopaam sahasaa tiro'bhooh'

so'dahyataantah' svalaghutvabheetyaa .. 32-10..

10 Then the very haughty Indra, making fun of wind and fire

God in his mind , came near you, who were in the form of a

Yakshi. You disappeared suddenly. And he thinking of his

inferiority, suffered within his mind.

Indra is the chief, among the arrogant devas. Hence, he will

have maximum arrogance. That was self-pride. Agni and vayu

both could not find out who the yakshi was. He ridiculed

them in his mind-“all useless people” he thus evaluated

them. Thus thinking, he himself went to meet the yakshi.

Suddenly the yakshi disappeared. Agni and vayu were at

least able to talk to the yakshi. Indra was unable to do even

that. Suddenly indra began to feel that he was inferior to

them. Now what all will the deva’s talk about him! He felt all

his fame draining off. There was no solution to rectify his

feeling of inferiority-thus thinking like this indra’s mind was

in a turmoil.

“When You are the King of the Devas, better go yourself and

ascertain the reality of Its Nature.” Indra, then, with great

pride, went himself to the Light; the Light, too, began to

disappear gradually from the place, and ultimately vanished

from Indra’s sight. When Indra found that he could not even

speak to That Light, he became greatly ashamed and began

to conceive of his own nothingness.

He thought thus :-- “I won’t go back to the Devas. What shall

I say to them? Never will I disclose to them my inferiority;

one is better to die than do this. One’s self-honour is the

only treasure of the great and honourable. If honour is gone,

what use, then, is there in living?” O King! Then Indra, the

Lord of Devas, quitted his pride and took refuge unto That

Great Light which exhibited, before long, such a glorious

character.

अथ श्रुताकाशवचोऽिुसारी

ह्रीङ्कारमन्त्रं स नचराय िप्त्त्वा ।

पर्श्न्नुमां त्वां करुणाश्रुिेत्ां

ििाम भक्त्या नशनथलानभमािुः ॥ ३२-११॥

atha shrutaakaashavacho'nusaaree

hreenkaaramantram sa chiraaya japtvaa .

pashyannumaam tvaam karunaashrunetraam

nanaama bhaktyaa shithilaabhimaanah' .. 32-11..

11. Then later(Indra) as per the advice given by a divine voice

from the sky, started chanting the “Hreem” mantra for a long

time, and after seeing you, The Goddess Uma, discarded his

pride and saluted thee, with eyes wet with tears of mercy.

Indra’s pride dissolved bit by bit. At that time he heard a

divine voice from the sky- ‘Indra chant the maya beeja

mantra’. As per the advice, he did severe penance and

chanted the ‘hreem’ mantra with full devotion, for many

years. Finally, devi appeared before him as the daughter of

himavan. He threw away all his pride and prayed to devi.

At this moment, a celestial voice was heard from the

Heavens:-- “O Indra! Go on now and do the japam, the

reciting of the Māyā bīja Mantra, the basic Mantra of Māyā.

All your troubles will, then, be over.” Hearing this celestial

voice, Indra began to repeat the Māyā bīja, the Seed Mantra

of Māyā, with rapt concentration and without any food.

Then on the ninth lunar day of the month of Caitra when the

Sun entered the meridian, suddenly there appeared in that

place a Great Mass of Light as was seen before. Indra saw,

then, within that Mass of Light, a Virgin Form in full youth.

The lustre from Her body was like that of ten million Rising

Suns; and the colour was rosy red like a full-blown Javā

flower. On Her forehead was shining the digit of the Moon;

Her breasts were full, and, though veiled under the cloth,

they looked very beautiful. She was holding noose and a

goad in Her two hands and Her other two hands indicated

signs of favour and fearlessness.

Her body was decked with various ornaments and it looked

auspicious and exceedingly lovely; nowhere can be seen a

woman beautiful like Her. She was like a Kalpa Vrikṣa

(celestial tree yielding all desires); she was three eyed and

Her braid of hair was encircled with Mālatī garlands. She was

praised on Her four sides by the Four Vedas, Incarnate, in

their respective Forms. The brilliancy of Her teeth shed lustre

on the ground as if ornamented with Padmarāga jewels. Her

face looked smiling. Her clothing was red and Her body was

covered with sandalpaste. She was the Cause of all causes.

Oh! She was all Full of Mercy. O King Janamejaya! Thus Indra

saw, then, the Umā Parvatī Maheśvarī Bhagavatī and the hairs

of his body stood on ends with ecstasy. His eyes were filled

with tears of love and deep devotion and he immediately fell

prostrate before the feet of the Devī. Indra sang various

hymns to Her and praised Her. He became very glad and

asked Her, “O Fair One! Art Thou that Great Mass of Light? If

this be, kindly state the cause of Thy appearance.”

ज्ञािं परं त्वन्मुितुः स लब्ध्वा

कृताञ्जनलिषम्रनशरा निवृत्तुः ।

सवाष मरे भ्युः प्रददौ ततस्ते

सवं त्वनदच्छावशगं व्यिािि् ॥ ३२-१२॥

jnyaanam param tvanmukhatah' sa labdhvaa

kri'taanjalirnamrashiraa nivri'ttah' .

sarvaamarebhyah' pradadau tataste

sarvam tvadichchhaavashagam vyajaanan .. 32-12..

12. Indra earned the divine knowledge from you, and with

folded hands and head bent with respect and devotion,

saluted you and returned. Later he shared that divine

knowledge with all the devas. From that day they understood

that everything in the world are slaves to your desire.

Indra prayed with devotion to that daughter of himavaan. In

return the devi imparted the knowledge of the supreme to

him. Indra understood that the trimurtis too are full of

qualities, only devi is bereft of any qualities. It became very

clear to him, that without the wish of devi, nothing can take

place. The burning of fire and the blowing of the wind all

happens due to the wishes of devi. indra finally understood,

that it was because of the blessings of devi they were able to

defeat the asuras, and cos of their capabilities. He returned

after meeting devi; he also spread the knowledge that he

had got to the other devas. After acquiring that knowledge,

all the devas came out of their arrogance and anger and

prayed to devi with devotion.

ततुः सुरा दम्भनवमुच्चक्तमापु र्

भवन्तु मत्याष श्च नविम्रशीर्ाष ुः ।

अन्योन्यसाहाय्यकराश्च सवे

मा युद्धवाताष भुवित्येऽस्तु ॥ ३२-१३॥

tatah' suraa dambhavimuktimaapur

bhavantu martyaashcha vinamrasheershaah' .

anyonyasaahaayyakaraashcha sarve

maa yuddhavaartaa bhuvanatraye'stu .. 32-13..

13.Therefore the devas completely let go of their pride. They

prayed that, may all Human beings bow their heads before

you, and help each other; Let there be, no war in the entire

three worlds.

All the devas returned to heaven praying continuously to the

devi. Suppose on earth humans also behaved like this! -the

poet thinks thus. The poet presents all his wishes to devi-

“may all human beings living here, be always humble, help

each other. Let there be no news of hatred from anywhere.

त्वनदच्छया सूयषशशाङ्कवनि-

वाय्वादयो दे नव सुराुः स्वकानि ।

कमाष नण कुवषच्चन्त ि ते स्वतन्त्रा-

स्तस्यै िमस्तेऽस्तु महािुभावे ॥ ३२-१४॥

tvadichchhayaa sooryashashaankavahni-

vaayvaadayo devi suraah' svakaani .

karmaani kurvanti na te svatantraa-

stasyai namaste'stu mahaanubhaave .. 32-14..

14. Oh goddess, it is as per your wish, the sun, the moon, the

Fire, the wind and others are able to do their respective

duties. They are not independent. Oh great one, Oh Goddess,

Who has the form of great power, Our salutations to you.

Other than devi nobody else is independent, devi decides

who should do what duties at what time and where. Others

have no choice but obey devi’s decision. The freedom to do

as one wishes to do is called independence. Only devi has

this. That is devi’s glory. Devi gives what is necessary to each

and every one at that time-that is devi’s mercy.

Let us all be the subjects to Devi’s mercy. For that the poet

prays to devi.

The story of devi having taken the form of a yaksha, and

blessing indra, is there in the 12th skandam, 8th chapter of

devi bhagavatham. This story is there in the

kenopanishad also.

Thus ends the 32nd chapter

Part 3 shlokas 14-25 of kena Upanishad

14. ब्रह्म ह दे वेभ्यो नवनिग्ये तस्य ह ब्रह्मणो नविये दे वा अमहीयन्त ।

त अइक्षन्तास्माकमेवायं नवियोऽस्माकमेवायं मनहमेनत ॥ १४ ॥

brahma ha devebhyo vijigye tasya ha brahmaṇo vijaye devā

amahīyanta |

ta aikṣantāsmākamevāyaṃ vijayo'smākamevāyaṃ mahimeti || 14 ||

14. The Brahman won a victory for the Devas and in that victory of

the Brahman the Devas attained glory. They thought ‘the victory is

ours and this glory is ours alone.’

तद्धै र्ां नविज्ञौ तेभ्यो ह प्रादु बषभूव तन्न व्यिाित नकनमदं यक्षनमनत ॥ १५ ॥

taddhaiṣāṃ vijajñau tebhyo ha prādurbabhūva tanna vyajānata

kimidaṃ yakṣamiti || 15 ||

15. He knew this notion of theirs and appeared before them. What

that Great Spirit was they did not know.

Shankara’s Commentary:

Com.—The Brahman evidently knew this false notion of theirs.

Brahman being all-knowing and director of the senses of all living

beings knew of the false idea of the Devas and in order that the

Devas might not be disgraced like the Asuras by this false notion,

out of pity for them and intending to bless them by dismissing their

false notion, appeared before them for their benefit in a form

assumed at will, in virtue of its power—a form unprecedentedly

glorious and astonishing and capable of being perceived by the

senses. The Devas did not at all know the Brahman that appeared

before them. Who is this Yaksham, i.e., this venerable Great Spirit.

तेऽनिमब्रुवि् िातवेद एतनद्विािीनह नकमेतद्यक्षनमनत तथेनत ॥ १६ ॥

तदभ्यद्रवत्तमभ्यवदत्कोऽसीत्यनिवाष अहमस्मीत्यब्रवीज्जातवेदा वा अहमस्मीनत ॥१७ll

तच्चस्मिँस्त्वनय नकं वीयषनमत्यपीदिँ सवं दहे यं यनददं पृनथव्यानमनत ॥ १८ ॥

तस्मै तृणं निदधावेतद्दहे नत तदु पप्रेयाय सवषिवेि तन्न शशाक दग्ुं स तत एव निववृते

िैतदशकं नवज्ञातुं यदे तद्यक्षनमनत ॥ १९ ॥

te'gnimabruvan jātaveda etadvijānīhi kimetadyakṣamiti tatheti || 16 ||

tadabhyadravattamabhyavadatko'sītyagnirvā

ahamasmītyabravījjātavedā vā ahamasmīti || 17 ||

tasmim̐stvayi kiṃ vīryamityapīdam̐sarvaṃ daheyaṃ yadidaṃ

pṛthivyāmiti || 18 ||

tasmai tṛṇaṃ nidadhāvetaddaheti tadupapreyāya sarvajavena tanna

śaśāka dagdhuṃ sa tata eva nivavṛte naitadaśakaṃ vijñātuṃ

yadetadyakṣamiti || 19 ||

16. They addressed the Fire thus “O Jataveda! Find out what this

Great Spirit is.” He said “yes.”

17. He ran to That. That said to him “who art thou?” He replied “I am

Agni or I am Jataveda.”

18. That said “what power, in thee so named, is lodged.’ He replied “I

can burn even all this, on the earth.”

19. That placed a straw before him and said: ‘Burn this.’ He

approached it with all haste but was not able to burn it. He

immediately returned from thence to the Devas and said I was not

able to learn what this Great Spirit is.”

Shankara’s Commentary:

Com.—The Devas not knowing what that Spirit was, being afraid of

it, and desirous to know what it was, thus addressed Agni who went

before them and who was little less than omniscient. “O Jataveda,

learn well what this Great Spirit now in our view is. You are the

brightest of us all.” “Be it so” said Agni and ran towards the Spirit.

Seeing him approach near, with a desire to ask questions of it, but

overawed into silence in its presence, the Spirit asked him: “who are

you?” Thus questioned by Brahman, Agni replied: “I am Agni well

known also as Jataveda”; as if in self-complaisance at being so well

known by two names, Brahman said to Agni who had thus replied:

“what power is in you who owns such well-known and significant

names.?” He replied: “I could reduce to ashes all this universe and all

immoveables, etc., on this earth.” The word ‘earth’ is illustratively

used; for, even what is in the air is burnt by Agni [Fire]. The Brahman

placed a straw before Agni who was so vain-glorious, and said: “Burn

but this straw in my presence. If thou art not able to burn this, give

up thy vanity as the consumer of all.” Thus addressed, Agni

approached the straw with all the speed of overweening confidence

but was not able to burn it. So he, Jataveda, being unable to burn it,

covered with shame and bathed in bis resolution, returned in silence

from the presence of the Spirit and told the Devas: “I was not able to

learn more, concerning this Spirit.”

अथ वायुमब्रुवन्वायवेतनद्विािीनह नकमेतद्यक्षनमनत तथेनत ॥ २० ॥

तदभ्यद्रवत्तमभ्यवदत्कोऽसीनत वायुवाष अहमस्मीत्यब्रवीन्मातररश्वा वा अहमस्मीनत ॥ २१ ॥

तच्चस्मिँस्त्वनय नकं वीयषनमत्यपीदिँ सवषमाददीय यनददं पृनथव्यानमनत ॥ २२ ॥

तस्मै तृणं निदधावेतदादत्स्वेनत तदु पप्रेयाय सवषिवेि तन्न शशाकाऽऽदतुं स तत एव

निववृते िैतदशकं नवज्ञातुं यदे तद्यक्षनमनत ॥ २३ ॥

atha vāyumabruvanvāyavetadvijānīhi kimetadyakṣamiti tatheti || 20 ||

tadabhyadravattamabhyavadatko'sīti vāyurvā

ahamasmītyabravīnmātariśvā vā ahamasmīti || 21 ||

tasmim̐stvayi kiṃ vīryamityapīdam̐sarvamādadīya yadidaṃ

pṛthivyāmiti || 22 ||

tasmai tṛṇaṃ nidadhāvetadādatsveti tadupapreyāya sarvajavena

tanna śaśākā''datuṃ sa tata eva nivavṛte naitadaśakaṃ vijñātuṃ

yadetadyakṣamiti || 23 ||

20. The Devas then said to Vayu: “Learn O Vayu! what this Great

Spirit is” He said: “yes.”

21. He ran to That. That said: “who art thou”? lie replied: “I am Vayu

or Matarisva.”

22. That said “what power is in thee; so well known?” He replied: “I

can blow away all the universe and all that is on the earth.”

23. That placed a straw before him and said “Blow it away.” He

approached it with all speed but was not able to blow it. He returned

immediately from there and told the Devas “I was not able to learn

who this Great Spirit is.”

Shankara’s Commentary:

Com.—They next addressed Vayu thus: ‘know this, etc.’ The vest

bears the same meaning as in the last passage. Vayu [ Air ] is so

named from the root which means ‘to go’or ‘to smell.’ Vayu is also

called ‘Matarisva’ because it travels [ svayati ] in space [ matari ],

‘Adadiyam’ means ‘can take.’

अथेन्द्रमब्रुवन्मघवन्नेतनद्विािीनह नकमेतद्यक्षनमनत तथेनत

तदभ्यद्रवत्तस्मानत्तरोदधे ॥ २४ ॥

 तच्चस्मन्नेवाकाशे च्चियमािगाम बहुशोभमािामुमािँ हैमवतीं तािँ होवाच

नकमेतद्यक्षनमनत ॥ २५ ॥

athendramabruvanmaghavannetadvijānīhi kimetadyakṣamiti

tatheti tadabhyadravattasmāttirodadhe || 24 ||

sa tasminnevākāśe striyamājagāma

bahuśobhamānāmumām̐haimavatīṃ tām̐hovāca

kimetadyakṣamiti || 25 ||

24. Then they said to Indra: “Maghavan! learn what this Great

Spirit is.” He said “yes” and ran to That. That vanished from

his view.

25. He beheld in that very spot a woman, Uma, very beautiful

and of golden hue, daughter of Himavat. He said to her

“What is this Great Spirit?”

Shankara’s Commentary:

Com.—Atha, etc., has already been explained. Indra, lord of

the Devas, Maghavan, (being the most powerful of them)

said yes and ran to That. That vanished from his sight, when

he was near the Brahman and did not even talk to him,

because it wished to crush altogether his pride at being

Indra. In the very spot where the Spirit showed itself and

from which it vanished and near the place where Indra was at

the moment the Brahman vanished, Indra stood discussing

within himself what that Spirit was, and did not return like

Agni and Vayu. Seeing his attachment to that Spirit,

knowledge in the form of a woman and of Umu appeared

before him. Indra beheld knowledge. fairest of the fair,—this

epithet is very appropriate in the particular context—as if

adorned in gold. ‘Himavatim’ may mean ‘the daughter of

Himalaya’ and being ever associated with the Lord (Siva) the

omniscient, and having approached her, asked: “Who is this

Spirit that showed itself and vanished?”

३१ एकत्रिंशदशकः - भ्रामर्यवतारः 31 ekatrimshadashakah' - bhraamaryavataarah' Incarnation as Bhraamarya(bee Goddess )

 ३१ एकत्रिंशदशकः - भ्रामर्यवतारः

31 ekatrimshadashakah' - bhraamaryavataarah'

           Incarnation as Bhraamarya(bee Goddess )

(there was an Asura called Aruna who by mastery over Gayathri manthra got

several boons which included that he would not be killed by two legged or 4

legged Animals. When the Devas were in trouble, as per instruction of the

Goddess, their Guru met him and made him not chant Gayatri manthra. The

bees(Bramara) with six legs which rose from the body of the Goddess killed

him. This story occurs in 13th chapter of the tenth book of Devi

Bhagawatham. This form of the goddess has a temple in Sri Sailam. )

कश्चित्पुरा मन्त्रमुदीर्य गार्त्री

इश्चि प्रश्चिद्धं श्चदश्चिजोऽरुणाख्यः ।

श्चिरार् कृत्वा िप आत्मर्ोनः

प्रिाश्चदिादाप वरानपूवाय न् ॥ ३१-१॥

kashchitpuraa mantramudeerya gaayatree

iti prasiddham ditijo'runaakhyah' .

chiraaya kri'tvaa tapa aatmayoneh'

prasaaditaadaapa varaanapoorvaan .. 31-1..

1.Once upon a time an asura called Aruna, did penance for a long

time chanting the famous Gayathri mantra, and got wonderful boons

from a very pleased Brahma.

An asura named Aruna did penance for many years by chanting the

Gayatri Mantra. He pleased Brahma, who appeared before him. He

asked various boons from brahma that had not been asked by

anyone so far. This asura had a speciality, that was to chant the

Gayatri Mantra forever.

The intelligent Daitya asked from Brahmā the following boon that “I

shall not die. Grant this.”

Brahmā then gently explained to him:-- “O Best of the Dānavas! See

that Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśvara and others are not free from this

limitation of death! What to speak then for others! I cannot grant

you a boon that is an impossibility. Ask what is possible and just. The

intelligent persons never show an eagerness to an impossibility.”

Hearing the above words of Brahmā, Aruṇa again said with devotion

:-- “O Deva! If Thou art unwilling to grant me the above boon, then,

O Lord! Grant me such a boon, as is practicable, that my death shall

not be caused by any war, nor by any arms or weapons, nor by any

man or any woman, by any biped or quadruped or any combination

of two and grant me such a boon, such a large army as I can conquer

the Devas.” Hearing the words of the Daitya, Brahmā said “Let that

be so” and went back instantly to His own abode.

स्त्रीपुम्भिरस्त्रैि रण श्चिपादै -

ििुष्पदै िाप्युभर्ात्मकैि ।

अवध्यिां दवपराजर्ं ि

लब्ध्वा ि दृप्तो श्चदवमाििाद ॥ ३१-२॥

streepumbhirastraishcha rane dvipaadai-

shchatushpadaishchaapyubhayaatmakaishcha .

avadhyataam devaparaajayam cha

labdhvaa sa dri'pto divamaasasaada .. 31-2..

2.He-that asura- got the boon that he should not be killed by man or

woman, by two legged(humans) or four legged(animals) creatures. A

mixture of these, By arrows in war. With that pride, that he had the

power to defeat the devas, entered heaven.

The boons that Aruna got has been described here.

The asura did not want to make same mistakes that were made by

the asuras like hiranyakashipu(he cannot be killed -In day or night -

By a man, woman or beast -In sky water or earth),

mahishasuran("man or animal" on the face of Earth), shumbha and

nishumbha(they will not be killed by any male whether human being

or animal / bird etc. but by a woman only). That is why he asked for

many boons. That is why, 2 legged humans, the 4-legged animals

and also creatures like Narasimha who were neither man nor animal,

would not be able to kill him. With the arrogant pride that he cannot

be defeated and cannot be killed, he invaded heavens.

रण श्चजिा दै त्यभर्न लोक-

पालैः िह स्वस्वपदाश्चन श्चहत्वा ।

दवा द्रुिाः प्राप्य श्चिवं ररपूणां

िंर्ग्वधोपार्मश्चिन्तर्ंि ॥ ३१-३॥

rane jitaa daityabhayena loka-

paalaih' saha svasvapadaani hitvaa .

devaa drutaah' praapya shivam ripoonaam

samyagvadhopaayamachintayamshcha .. 31-3..

3. Defeated in the war, the devas along with those who took care of

the world left their positions and ran away, due to fear and met Lord

Shiva. They started thinking of methods to destroy their enemies.

The asura won the war. The devas and all the guardians of the world,

out of fear, ran away from heaven. All of them took refuge in shiva,

in kailash. Shiva was aware of the boons that the asura had got. He

told all that to them. What is the solution to destroy our enemies?-

everybody asked one another. They had a high level discussion on

this topic.

Hearing from the messenger that the Daityas were willing to fight

with the Devas, Indra trembled with fear and went instantly with the

Devas to the abode of Brahmā. Taking Brahmā, too, along with them

from there, they went to the Viṣṇu Loka and took Viṣṇu with them

and all went to the Śiva Loka.

There they all held a conference how to kill the Daitya, the enemy of

the Gods.

The Daitya, then, through the power of his Tapas, assumed various

forms and seized the rights and possessions of the Moon, the Sun,

Yama, Agni and all the others. All the Devas, then, dislodged from

their stations went to the region of Kailaśa and represented to

Śaṅkara about their own troubles and dangers respectively. Then,

what was to be done on this subject, on this, great discussions

cropped up. When Brahmā said, that the death of the Daitya would

not ensue from any fight, with any arms or weapons, from any man

or woman, biped, quadruped or from any combination of the above

two.

िदाऽभवत्काप्यिरीररणी वाग्-

भजि दवीं िुभमव वः स्याि् ।

दै त्योऽरुणो वधय र्िीह गार्त्र्य-

उपािननात्मबलं त्वधृष्यम् ॥ ३१-४॥

tadaa'bhavatkaapyashareerinee vaag-

bhajeta deveem shubhameva vah' syaat .

daityo'runo vardhayateeha gaayatry-

upaasanenaatmabalam tvadhri'shyam .. 31-4..

4. At that time they heard a voice from the sky, “Pray to the Goddess

and you will get benefitted. Since that asura Aruna, has mastered

Gayathri mantra, he derives immense strength from that.

While all of them were thinking of a solution as to how to destroy

the enemies, a divine voice was heard. The asura was extremely

strong mentally due to the constant chanting of the Gayatri

manthram. That power is keeping on increasing. Because of which he

is invincible.

र्द्यष िं मन्त्रजपं जहाश्चि

ि दु बयलः िाध्यवधोऽश्चप ि स्याि् ।

एवं श्चनिम्य श्चत्रदिै ः प्रहृष्टै -

रभ्यश्चथयिो दवगुरुः प्रिस्थ ॥ ३१-५॥

yadyesha tam mantrajapam jahaati

sa durbalah' saadhyavadho'pi cha syaat .

evam nishamya tridashaih' prahri'sht'ai-

rabhyarthito devaguruh' pratasthe .. 31-5..

5.If that asura stops chanting that mantra he will eventually become

weak. Thus you will be able to kill him.” Hearing this the devas

became happy and at the request of the devas, their Guru started to

go.

The asura should stop chanting the gayatri mantra-then his powers

will start reducing. It will become easy to kill him. This is the essence

of the divine voice, the devas became very happy on hearing this.

They went to their Guru, Brihaspati, and gave all the news and

requested. Brihaspati started to go to meet the asura.

Then the Devas became all anxious and could not find out any

solution at that instant, when the Spiritual Voice was clearly heard in

the Heavens :-- Let you all worship the Queen of the Universe. She

will carry out your work to success. If the king of the Daityas, always

engaged in muttering the Gāyatrī, forsakes the Gāyatrī any how, then

his death will occur. Hearing this gladdening Celestial Voice, the

Devas held the council with great caution.

When it was settled what ought to be done, Indra asked Brihaspati

and said :-- “O Guru Deva! You would better go to the Daitya from

the Devaś end and do so that he forsakes the Devī Gāyatrī

Parameśvarī. We will all now go and meditate on Her. When She will

be pleased, She will help us.

Thus commanding Brihaspati and thinking that the beautiful

Protectress of Jāmbū Nada would protect them the Devas all started

to worship Her and, going there, began the Devī Yajña and with

great devotion muttered the Māyā Vīja and practised asceticism.

ि प्राप दै त्यं र्श्चिरूपधारी

प्रत्युद्गिो मन्त्रजपाश्चििक्तम् ।

म्भििाद्रय मूि कुिली िबन्धु -

श्चमत्रो भवान् श्चकं जगदकवीर ॥ ३१-६॥

sa praapa daityam yatiroopadhaaree

pratyudgato mantrajapaatisaktam .

smitaardramooche kushalee sabandhu-

mitro bhavaan kim jagadekaveera .. 31-6..

6.He(Deva guru) went to meet the Asura in the garb of a Sanyasi. He

was received well by the asura and the Guru asked the asura with a

smile, who was very strong due to the chanting of the mantra, “Are

you, your relations and your friends, in good health ?’

Devaguru Brihaspati went to meet the asura dressed up like a

sanyasi. The asura entertained him very well. The sanyasi observed

that the asura was always chanting the gayatri mantra. Both were

smiling. The sanyasi like a friend asked the asura, “guess you are

fine.” Note the usage of the word ‘jagad-eka-veera’. This is the

manthra to show love and importance to the asura

दै त्यस्य ि मन्त्रजपन श्चकं र्ो

नूनं बश्चलष्ठं त्वबलं करोश्चि ।

र्नैव दवा अबला रणषु

त्वर्ा श्चजिास्त्वं स्वश्चहिं कुरुष्व ॥ ३१-७॥

daityasya te mantrajapena kim yo

noonam balisht'ham tvabalam karoti .

yenaiva devaa abalaa raneshu

tvayaa jitaastvam svahitam kurushva .. 31-7..

7.” What is the use of chanting this manthra, who is an asura? As it

(chanting of the mantra) will make a strong one weak definite. It is

because of chanting this mantra the devas were becoming weak and

were being defeated by you. So please do those things which would

do good to your future.”

Why are you chanting the mantra so much? -this was the sanyasi’s

question. whatever happiness you have today will not increase

because of your chanting. This chanting will be of no use to you on

the other hand it will cause you more troubles. If you chant this

mantra the strong becomes weak. The proof of this is the defeat of

the devas. They became weak due to the chanting of the mantras.

And hence they were defeated in war. So therefore for your future

good you should act accordingly.

िंन्याश्चिनो मन्त्रजपन राग-

िषाश्चद जिुं िििं र्िन्त ।

न त्वं र्श्चिनाय श्चप मु मुक्षु,रथय-

कामाश्चििक्तस्य जपन श्चकं ि ॥ ३१-८॥

samnyaasino mantrajapena raaga-

dveshaadi jetum satatam yatante .

na tvam yatirnaapi mumukshu,rartha-

kaamaatisaktasya japena kim te .. 31-8..

8.’ Sages chant Mantras so that they can win over anger and passion

and they always keep on trying. You are not a sage; and not one

interested in Salvation. So you who is interested in passion and

prosperity, why do you chant this mantra.

It was stated that, by chanting the Gayatri mantram whatever

strength we have will be destroyed completely. Then why do

sanyasi’s chant this manthram? The fraud sanyasi is giving an answer

to this question. By chanting this mantra ones anger and passion will

be destroyed. The sanyasi want that only. They don’t have any

interest in desires and passion. Chanting of mantras is ok for them.

But, an asura who is infatuated with desires and passion, chanting

this mantra will have reverse effect. By continuously chanting the

mantra anger and passion will be destroyed. The intensity of desires

and passion will reduce. The result of this chanting will be that an

asura will be converted into a sanyasi. Hence, it is desirable to avoid

chanting the manthra.

एकं श्चह मन्त्रं िमुपास्वह िौ

िनाश्चि श्चमत्रं मम ििदाश्चम ।

मन्त्रि म मुम्भक्तद एव िुभ्यं

वृम्भद्धं न दद्यादर्श्चमत्यवश्चह ॥ ३१-९॥

ekam hi mantram samupaasvahe dvau

tenaasi mitram mama tadvadaami .

mantrashcha me muktida eva tubhyam

vri'ddhim na dadyaadayamityavehi .. 31-9..

9.” We both chant and worship the same Mantra. So you are my

friend. That is why I am telling you- Manthra is giving me salvation.

You are not going to gain anything. Please be aware of this.”

Why give advice when it is not asked for?-the answer to this

question can be seen in this shloka. The mantra chanted by this

sanyasi and that asura is the same. Hence, they can be considered as

friends-must see like that. It is the duty of a friend to advice a friend

for his betterment. The fraud sanyasi is trying to convince the asura

that he (sanyasi) is only doing his duty. Chanting mantras is

beneficial for sanyasis. But, for asuras it is not beneficial. As a friend

he has given the necessary advice. Henceforth think and do it is upto

you-this is how the fraud sanyasi advised the asura.

बृहस्पिाववमुदीर्य र्ाि

ित्यं िदु क्तं श्चदश्चिजो श्चवश्चिन्त्य ।

क्रमाज्जहौ मन्त्रजपं िदा श्चह

मूढः परप्रोक्तश्चवनर्बुम्भद्धः ॥ ३१-१०॥

bri'haspataavevamudeerya yaate

satyam taduktam ditijo vichintya .

kramaajjahau mantrajapam sadaa hi

mood'hah' paraproktavineyabuddhih' .. 31-10..

10.After telling like this and after Brahaspathi left, that asura thought

that what he-the sanyasi- said was true, and accordingly stopped

chanting the mantra; A fool always mortgages his brain for the

words said by others.

Brihaspati(Deva guru) who came disguised as a sanyasi, met the

asura and behaved such that he was his best friend, and advised him.

He put forth his opinion in such a way that it felt it was true. The

asura believed it as it is. If an uninvited guest comes and gives you

advice one should think over it(the advice given); one should think

logically. Finally should reach to a conclusion; and one should apply

it also. This is what a wise person should do. The asura believed

every single word that the fraud sanyasi said. Eventually he stopped

chanting the mantra. Fools are always like this. They will never think.

They will loan their brains to others. And finally they will be deceived.

एवं गुरौ कुवयश्चि दै त्यभीिैः

कृत्वा िपोर्ोगजपाध्वराश्चद ।

जाम्बूनदश्वर्यमरै ः स्तुिा त्वं

प्रिाश्चदिा प्रादु रभूः कृपाद्राय ॥ ३१-११॥

evam gurau kurvati daityabheetaih'

kri'tvaa tapoyogajapaadhvaraadi .

jaamboonadeshvaryamaraih' stutaa tvam

prasaaditaa praadurabhooh' kri'paardraa .. 31-11..

11.When dev Guru(Brihaspati) was doing this, oh Jambunadeswari!

The Devas who were afraid of the Asura, prayed to you by doing

penance, yoga, chanting and Yajna etc.. You became pleased, and

appeared before them with a face full of mercy.

While the dev guru was misleading the asura, the devas prayed to

the jambunadeshawari devi. They prayed to the devi by performing

yagnas, penance, yoga etc.. thus pleasing the devi. She appeared

before them filled with compassion.

त्वद्दहजािैर्भ्यमरै रनन्तै र्

दै त्यः ििैन्यो श्चवफलास्त्रिस्त्रः ।

दष्टो हिस्त्वं ि नुश्चिप्रिन्ना

पश्यत्सु दवषु श्चिरोश्चहिाऽभूः ॥ ३१-१२॥

Tvaddehajaatairbhramarairanantair

daityah' sasainyo viphalaastrashastrah' .

dasht'o hatastvam cha nutiprasannaa

pashyatsu deveshu tirohitaa'bhooh' .. 31-12..

12. From your body innumerable bees arose, to attack him as an

army and his arrows weapons were not effective against them. The

bees stung the asura and killed him. You who were pleased by the

prayer of the devas, disappeared as the devas watched.

From the body of the devi, who appeared before the devas,

innumerable count of bees started to originate. Bees in lakhs. All of

them together attacked the asura. As he had stopped chanting the

gayatri mantra, he did not possess the energy he had earlier. He

thought his strength had diminished because he chanted the gayatri

mantra for some time. His weapons were of no use against the bees.

The bees stung the asura and his armies.

Bees have 6 legs. Asura had got a boon that he should not be killed

by 2 legged and 4 legged creatures. Bees did not have 2 legs, nor 4

legs nor were they a combination of the 2. Whatever boon brahma

gives, devi will find a solution to that.

स्वदहिो वै र्भ्मरान् श्चवधात्री

त्वं र्भ्ामरीश्चि प्रश्चथिा जगत्सु ।

अहो श्चवश्चित्रास्तव दश्चव लीलाः

नमो नमस्त भुवनश्चि मािः ॥ ३१-१३॥

svadehato vai bhramaraan vidhaatree

tvam bhraamareeti prathitaa jagatsu .

aho vichitraastava devi leelaah'

namo namaste bhuvaneshi maatah' .. 31-13..

13. Because you produced bees from your own body, in the world

you became famous as Bramarambika. Oh devi! your divine play are

wonderful and strange

Oh goddess of universe, Oh Mother, my salutations to you.

Because devi created bramara from her body, she became famous as

bramara devi. Everything is a divine play by devi. I just want to be the

subject of that devi’s compassion-that is the aim of my life this time.

To get that compassion the poet keeps saluting the devi.

Devi’s story of bramara avataram has been explained in

detail in the 10th skanda chapter 13 of devi

bhagavataham.

In this chapter we find clearly the mention of the several names of

the ten Daśa Mahā Vidyās.

The 10 Mahavidyas are usually named in the following sequence:

Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshvari, Chhinnamasta, Bhairavi,

Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala.

Dus mahavidya shabar mantram

Kali Tara mahavidya Sodashi Bhuvaneswari.

Bhairavi Chhinnamasta cha vidya Dhumavti tatha.

Bagala siddha vidya cha Matangi Kamalatmika.

Eta vidya maheshaanee mahvidya prakeertitaaha.

काली िारा महाश्चवद्या षोडिी भु वनॆश्वरर।

भैरवी श्चिन्नमस्ता ि श्चवद्या धूमाविी िथा ll

बगला श्चिद्ध श्चवद्या ि मािंगी कमलाम्भत्मका।

एिा श्चवद्या महिाश्चन महाश्चवद्या प्रकीश्चियिा ll

१० दशमदशकः - शक्तिप्रदानम् 10 dashamadashakah' - shaktipradaanam Dasakam 10. Sakthi pradhanam –(Primacy to Shakthi)

     १० दशमदशकः - शक्तिप्रदानम्

  10 dashamadashakah' - shaktipradaanam

(As soon as the Trinity entered her house they all became females. They

were three Sakthi forms of the divine Parasakthi. The Parasakthi then

gave Saraswathi to Brahma, Lakshmi to Lord Vishnu and Sathi devi to

Lord Shiva. This again occurs in chapters IV and V of Book III of the Devi

Bhagawatham)

ततो विमानादजविष्णुरुद्रा-

स्त्वद्गोपुरद्वार्य िरुह्य सद्यः ।

स्त्रिर्ः कृता दे वि तिेच्छर्ैि

सविस्मर्ास्त्वविकटं समीर्ुः ॥ १०-१॥

tato vimaanaadajavishnurudraa-

stvadgopuradvaaryavaruhya sadyah' .

striyah' kri'taa devi tavechchhayaiva

savismayaastvannikat'am sameeyuh' .. 10-1..

1.Oh Goddess, afterwards Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra got down from the

air vehicle. As soon as they got down near your tower gate, as per your

wish became ladies. And was surprised to find themselves standing in

front of you (devi).

The airplane landed at the entrance gate. The trimurtis got down from it.

Without anyone stopping them they crossed the threshold. Amazing! they

suddenly became ladies. All 3 reached close to Devi.

कृतप्रणामास्ति पादर्ुग्म-

नखेषु विश्वं प्रवतविस्त्रितं ते ।

विलोक्य साश्चर्यममोघिास्त्रभः

पृथक्पृथक् तुष्टु िुरस्त्रिके त्वाम् ॥ १०-२॥

kri'tapranaamaastava paadayugma-

nakheshu vishvam pratibimbitam te .

vilokya saashcharyamamoghavaagbhih'

pri'thakpri'thak tusht'uvurambike tvaam .. 10-2..

2. When they saluted you, they were surprised to see the entire universe

getting reflected on the nail of your feet. Oh mother Ambika, individually

they prayed to you with words that are not in vain.

The moment they crossed the entrance gate, the trimurtis changed into

young girls. How? They did not know how; nobody knew how. Everything

was according to devi’s wish. They came in front of devi and saluted to

her. When they stood up they saw another marvel-the entire universe was

reflected onto devi’s nails, like a mirror. 1st Vishnu started praying to devi;

then shiva and last brahma. Vishnu’s hymn extolling devi’s compassion

and solution. Siva prayed and requested to devi to impart the navakshari

mantram to them. Brahma had a doubt wether devi was a man or lady. Is

devi the supreme being, the subject of the vedas?-brahma started

thinking.

Vishnu’s hymn to devi-book 3,4th chap of SDB

Siva’s and brahma’s hymn to devi-book 3, 5th chap SDB

नुवतप्रसिा वनजसर्यशस्त्रतं

महासरस्वत्यविधामजार् ।

रक्षाथयशस्त्रतं हरर्े महाल-

क्ष्म्याख्ां च लीलावनरते ददाथ ॥ १०-३॥

nutiprasannaa nijasargashaktim

mahaasarasvatyabhidhaamajaaya .

rakshaarthashaktim haraye mahaala-

kshmyaakhyaam cha leelaanirate dadaatha .. 10-3..

3.Oh Goddess who is always cheerful and lively, you who became happy

on hearing their prayers gave Your own creative power called Saraswathi

to Lord Brahma, your own protective called Mahalakshmi to Lord Vishnu.

On hearing the hymns by brahma, Vishnu & rudra, devi was very happy.

Devi decided to give them 3 shaktis, full of divine beauty and lustre. She

gave brahma the power to create. This shakti was named maha saraswati.

Then she gave the power to protect to Vishnu. That shakti was named

mahalakshmi.

र्ौरीं महाकाल्यविधां च दत्वा

संहारशस्त्रतं वर्ररशार् मातः ।

निाक्षरं मन्त्रमुदीरर्न्ती

िद्धाञ्जलींस्तान् स्त्रस्मतपूियमात्थ ॥ १०-४॥

gaureem mahaakaalyabhidhaam cha datvaa

samhaarashaktim girishaaya maatah' .

navaaksharam mantramudeerayantee

baddhaanjaleemstaan smitapoorvamaattha .. 10-4..

4.Oh mother! After giving the Gowri form of your destructive power called

mahakali, to Lord Shiva, with a shy smile, you told the trimurthis who were

standing with folded hands chanting the Navakshara manthra:

We have already discussed in the previous shloka how devi gave the

power to create, to brahma, and the power to protect, to Vishnu. This

shloka describes how she gave the power to destroy, to shiva. The name

of this shakti is mahakali or gauri. After accepting these 3 shaktis from

devi,the trimurthis stood in front of the devi ,humble & saluting her. At

this time devi gave them the navakshara manthram. Devi gave this mantra

to the trimurtis on shiva’s request. The below is the navakshara manthram

“ॐ ऐं ह्ीं क्ीं चामुण्डार्ै विच्चे” |

“om aiṁ hrīṁ klīṁ cāmuṇḍāyai vichhe” ||

We can think about the shakti named mahakali for some time. She is the

dark coloured(tamoguna) avataram of the formless(nirguna) devi. To

assist Vishnu in the killing of madhukaitabha, shakti gave mahakali to him.

It is according to the instruction of this devi that the trimurtis got onto

the airplane. Check the 2nd shloka of the 9th chapter. While travelling in

the airplane is when they madweepam and bhuvaneshwari. It is from

bhuvaneshwari that they got the 3 shaktis. Here it should be understood,

that the mahakali shakti that siva got, is a fraction of the mahakali shakti

that devi gave Vishnu to help him destroy madhukaitabha. Seeing the

trend of the story, this mahakali is only a shakti of bhuvaneshwari. So, the

shakti shiva got, vishnu’s helper in the killing of madhukaitabham and

bhuvaneshwari though different are one.

ब्रह्मन् हरे रुद्र मदीर्शस्त्रत-

त्रर्ेण दत्तेन सुखं ििन्तः ।

ब्रह्माण्डसर्यस्त्रिवतसंहृतीश्च

कुियन्तु मे शासनर्ा विनीताः ॥ १०-५॥

brahman hare rudra madeeyashakti-

trayena dattena sukham bhavantah' .

brahmaand'asargasthitisamhri'teeshcha

kurvantu me shaasanayaa vineetaah' .. 10-5..

5. Oh Brahma! Vishnu! Shiva! As per my instructions, with modesty, all

three of you, along with the three Sakthis that you got now, will easily be

able to start looking after creation, protection and destruction of this

universe.

To brahma the shakti to create; to Vishnu the shakti to protect; & to siva

the shakti to destroy-in this way devi gave her own shakti’s to the

trimurthis. accordingly brahma should Create, Vishnu should protect that

which brahma has created and when the time comes siva should destroy.

The trimurthis, having got the shakti’s from devi, should do the duty of

creation etc.,as per devi’s instructions. From this point of view the

trimurthis are not independent. Check 5th shloka in 1st dasakam & 7th

shlokam in 6th dashakam.

मान्या ििस्त्रभः खलु शतर्ो मे

स्याच्छस्त्रतहीनं सकलं विवनन्द्द्यम् ।

स्मरे त मां सन्ततमेिमुक्त्वा

प्रिापर्ामावसथ तां स्त्रिमूतीन् ॥ १०-६॥

maanyaa bhavadbhih' khalu shaktayo me

syaachchhaktiheenam sakalam vinindyam .

smareta maam santatamevamuktvaa

prasthaapayaamaasitha taamstrimoorteen .. 10-6..

6.You have to respect my Shakthis for without them everything will be

abusive/hateful. Always meditate on me. Saying like this She bid farewell

to those divine trinity

Devi continues: devi gave, Vishnu, siva and brahma, each of them, specific

responsibilities. To carry out these responsibilities devi has given them the

shaktis. They should carry out their duties by giving respect to these

shaktis. If disrespect is shown to those shaktis, they will leave that place

immediately. If the shakti goes then everything will come to a standstill-

eyes without the power to see, ears without the power to hear, is

fruitless. One should always remember the devi. Then all the shaktis will

be always with you. This order of devi should always be remembered. The

story of Shiva Vishnu and Brahma losing their power has been described

in chap 28 of this book.

नत्वा त्रर्स्ते िितीं वनिृत्ताः

पुंस्त्वं र्ता आरुरुहुवियमानम् ।

सद्यस्त्रस्तरोधाः स सुधासमुद्रो

द्वीपो विमानश्च वतरोििूिुः ॥ १०-७॥

natvaa trayaste bhavateem nivri'ttaah'

pumstvam gataa aaruruhurvimaanam .

sadyastirodhaah' sa sudhaasamudro

dveepo vimaanashcha tirobabhoovuh' .. 10-7..

7. All the three of them saluted her and returned. They who had again

turned into men, got onto the air vehicle; you (devi) immediately

disappeared from there; The ocean of nectar, Manidweepa and the air

vehicle also disappeared.

The trimurthi after saluting the devi who gave them her 3 shaktis,

returned. The moment they crossed the threshold of the entrance gate ,

they turned into men as before. We had mentioned in the 1st shloka

about them turning into ladies. The airplane was waiting for them outside

the entrance gate. The trimurthis got onto the airplane. The airplane took

off from there. The next instant everything disappeared- airplane was not

there, no devi, no ocean of nectar.

एकाणयिे पङ्कजसविधौ च

हतासुरे ते खलु तस्त्रििां सः ।

दृष्टं नु सत्यं वकमु िुस्त्रद्धमोहः

स्वप्नो नु वकं िेवत च न व्यजानन् ॥ १०-८॥

ekaarnave pankajasannidhau cha

hataasure te khalu tasthivaamsah' .

dri'sht'am nu satyam kimu buddhimohah'

svapno nu kim veti cha na vyajaanan .. 10-8..

8.They, who were standing in the vast ocean(in the water of deluge),

where they had punished the asuras, near the Lotus flower, were not

clearly knowing whether what had happened, was the truth, or weakness

of their intellect or a dream.

When the devi,the ocean of nectar and the airplane disappeared the

trimurthis were staying near the lotus flower-the same lotus flower where

brahma was seated! Not much time had passed after the destruction of

madhukaitabha by Vishnu. It was immediately after mahukaitabha was

killed rudra reached there. The airplane landing there, according to the

instruction of the devi the trimurthis climbing onto it, they seeing the

other trimurthi’s and other stories have been described in the 9th chapter.

Did the airplane actually come there? Did the trimurthis climb onto it? Did

they see the other trimurthi, ocean of nectar and devi?-they remember

seeing all this. What they saw was it a reality? Was it a hallucination? Or

was it a dream?-the trimurthis were unable to know.

ततिर्स्ते खलु सत्यलोक-

िैकुण्ठकैलासकृतावधिासाः ।

ब्रह्माण्डसृष्यावदषु दत्तवचत्ता-

स्त्वां सियशतामिजन्त दे वि ॥ १०-९॥

tatastrayaste khalu satyaloka-

vaikunt'hakailaasakri'taadhivaasaah' .

brahmaand'asri'sht'yaadishu dattachittaa-

stvaam sarvashaktaamabhajanta devi .. 10-9..

9.Oh Goddess! Afterwards, those three divine beings, living in Sathyaloka,

Vaikunta and Kailasa got engaged in creation, protecting and destruction,

of the universe, with full concentration, they always kept praying to the all

powerful you.

And also praying to you mother who had the form of all Sakthis.

The airplane journey, seeing bhuvaneshwari form of devi, was it a reality,

or was it a dream?-don’t know. whatever the trimurthis experienced devi’s

compassion, & majestic influence of devi. They became her great

devotees than before. Sitting in satyaloka brahma started to create the

universe; Vishnu sitting in vaikuntham went on protecting the creation;

seated in kailash rudra at the correct time annihilated. They got the

confidence to do their work by praying to the devi. Any work getting

done is due to the blessings of devi. Devi should be pleased for that.

सुधासमुद्रं तरलोवमयमालं

िानं मवणद्वीपमनोपमं ते ।

मञ्चे वनषण्ां िितीं च वचत्ते

पश्यावन ते दे वि नमः प्रसीद ॥ १०-१०ll

sudhaasamudram taralormimaalam

sthaanam manidveepamanopamam te .

manche nishannaam bhavateem cha chitte

pashyaani te devi namah' praseeda .. 10-10.

10. oh devi! I would like to see in my mind, the ocean of nectar where

tides would be always hitting the shores of Manidweepa, which is your

unmatched place of residence, and you sitting on your bedstead, My

salutations to you.

 The trimurthis seeing the devi and the the ocean of nectar might be

reality or a dream. I pray that may I always, see the devi who is a resident

of manidweepa and a panchbrahmaswaroopini, in my heart.

Thus ends chapter 10

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Devi Narayaniyam (sanskritdocuments.org)

Dasakam 10. Sakthi pradhanam –(Primacy to Shakthi)

Dasakam 10. Sakthi pradhanam –(Primacy   to Shakthi)

(As soon as the trinity enter her house   they all become females. They were three  Sakthi forms  of the divine  Parasakthi.  The Para sakthi then gave Saraswathi to Brahma, Lakshmi to  Lord Vishnu  and SAthi devi  to Lord Shiva.This again occurs   in chapters Ivand V of Book III  of the Devi Bhagawatham)

Translated  by

P.R.Ramachander

1.Thatho vimanaadh aja Vishnu Rudra,

Stavad gopura dwarya aaruhya sadhya,

Sthriya Kruthaa   devi thwechayaiva,

SA vismayaastha nikatam  sameeyu.

1.Oh Goddess   , afterwards  Brahma, Vishnu  ,

And Rudra got down from the air vehicle,

And as soon as  they got down near  your tower gate,

With your  desire became ladies ,

And with great  wonder   came  near you.

2.Krutha pranaama sthava   pada yugma ,

Nakheshu viswam   prathi bimbitham they,

Vilokya saascharyamamogha vaagbhi,

Prudhak prudhak  thustuvarambike  THwaam.

2.They saw that  the entire universe  was getting reflected,

In the nail  of your feet, when they    saluted you,

And were greatly surprised   and Oh mother  they  ,

Individually  prayed to you  using remarkably    great words.

3, Nuthi prasanna   nija sarga sakthim,

Maha  saraswathya abhidhamajaaya,

Rakshartha sakthim  haraye mahaala-,

Kshmyaakhyam   cha leelaa nirathe dhadhaadha

3.Oh Goddess   who is always engaged   in sports,

Became happy  on hearing   their prayers   and you gave,

Your  own creative power  called Saraswathi   to Lord Brahma,

And  your own protective  power called Mahalakshmi   to Lord Vishnu

4. Gaurim  maha kalyaabhidhaam  cha    dathwa a,

SAmhara  sakthim  gireesaaya   matha  ,

Navaksharam  mantharamudheerayanthi,

Badhanjalim sthaan  smitha poorvaMathdha

4.Oh mother then   you gave  Gowri   , who is,

Your power of destruction  to Lord Shiva,

And you told    all of them who were standing ,

With  folded hands   and  were chanting Navakshara mAnthra.

5.Brahan hare rudra madheeya   sakthi,

Thrayena dathena  sukham bavantha,

Brahmanda sarga sdhithi samharatheescha,

Kurvanthu may   sasanayaa   vineethaa.

5.Hey Brahma  , Hey  Vishnu   , Hey Lord shiva,

Obeying my orders , all the three  of you,

Along with three  Sakthis   that you got now,

Start looking after creation, upkeep,

 And destruction  of this universe

6.Manyaa bavaddhi khalu sakthayo may,

Syaath  sakthi heenam   sakalam  vinindhyam,

Smaretha maam   santhathamevamukthvaa,

Prasthapayaamasidha thaam strimoorthin.

6.You have to  respect  my   Sakthis  for without,

Them   ,  everything    will get   a bad name  ,

Always meditate  on me, saying like this,

She bid farewell   to those divine  trinity

7.Nathwaa thrayasthe bhavathim nivruthaa,

Pumsthwam   gathaa  aaroruhur  vimanam,

SAdhya sthrirodha sa sudha samudhro,

Dweebho b vimanascha   thiro babhoovu

7. All the three of them saluted  her and took leave,

They who again became males  got in to the air vehicle,

And immediately    disappeared   from there and,

The ocean of nectar , Manidweepa and air vehicle   disappeared..

8.Yekarnave   pankaja sannidhou  cha,

Hathasure   they khalu   thasdhivamsa,

Drusham  nu sathyam   kimu budhi moha,

Swapno   nu kim vethi  cha na vyajaanan,

8.They who were standing in the water of deluge,

Near the lotus flower  , where  they killed the Rakshasas,

Were not  clearly kowing  whether   what had happened,

Was truth  , weakness of their intellect or a dream.

9.THathsthrayasthe   khalu  sathya loka,

Vaikunta kailasa kruthadhivasaa,

BRahmanda srutyaadhishu  datha    chitha,

Sthvaam   sarva  sakthamabajantha devi

9.Oh Goddess   afterwards  those three   started  living,

In Sathya loka, Vaikunta    and Kailasa and started,

Getting engaged in creation, upkeep   and destruction,

And also praying   you mother  who  had the form of all Sakthis.

10.Sudha samudram   taralormamalam,

Sthanam  mani dweepa manopamam they,

Manche nishannam   bhavathim na    chithe,

Pasyaani   thry devi nama praseedha

10. I would  like   to see in my mind , the ocean of nectar,

Where  tides would   be always   beating, Manidweepa,

Which is your  unmatched   place  of residence,

And you    sitting  on your cushions,My salutations to you.

page 67 (śong no: 45)śrīśaṃ sarveśaṃ ragam: śama (śyama?) ṭalam: ṛupakam

 ഫഗെ ൬൭ (ശൊന്ഗ് നൊ: ൪൫)

page 67 (śong no: 45)

ragam: śama (śyama?) ṭalam: ṛpakam

(śrīśāya nama:)

pallavi

śrīśaṃ sarveśaṃ cintaye cinmayam|

anupallavi

viśādhirohaṇaṃ vijayarathavibhūṣaṇam|(śrīśam)

caraṇam

āśrita vatsalaṃ akhilabhuvanapālam|

ādyantarahitamīśaṃ amaravinutaṃ amalam|

kāśyapa nāradādi kalaśodbhavanuta caritam|

keśayānaṃ kaivalyadāyinaṃ veṅkaṭaramaṇam| (śrīśam)

******************അഗമ്: ശമ (ശ്യമ?) ടലമ്: ഋപകമ്

(ശ്രീശായ നമ:)

പല്ലവി

ശ്രീശം സര്വേശം ചിന്തയേ ചിന്മയമ്|

അനുപല്ലവി

വിശാധിരോഹണം വിജയരഥവിഭൂഷണമ്|(ശ്രീശമ്)

ചരണമ്

ആശ്രിത വത്സലം അഖിലഭുവനപാലമ്|

ആദ്യന്തരഹിതമീശം അമരവിനുതം അമലമ്|

കാശ്യപ നാരദാദി കലശോദ്ഭവനുത ചരിതമ്|

കേശയാനം കൈവല്യദായിനം വേങ്കടരമണമ്| (ശ്രീശമ്)

******************फगॆ ६७ (शॊन्ग् नॊ: ४५)

अगम्: शम (श्यम?) टलम्: ऋपकम्

(श्रीशाय नम:)

पल्लवि

श्रीशं सर्वेशं चिन्तये चिन्मयम्।

अनुपल्लवि

विशाधिरोहणं विजयरथविभूषणम्।(श्रीशम्)

चरणम्

आश्रित वत्सलं अखिलभुवनपालम्।

आद्यन्तरहितमीशं अमरविनुतं अमलम्।

काश्यप नारदादि कलशोद्भवनुत चरितम्।

केशयानं कैवल्यदायिनं वेङ्कटरमणम्। (श्रीशम्)

******************

śong no: 64, page 94 anantaṃ ānandaṃ mukundam rāga – ānandabhairavi tāḷa -- ādi

 anantaM AnandaM mukundam

śong no: 64, page 94

(anantāya nama:)

anantaṃ ānandaṃ mukundam|

rāga – ānandabhairavi tāḷa -- ādi

ā: sa ga ri ga ma pa da pa sa

a: sa ni dha pa ma ga ri sa

pallavi

anantaṃ ānandaṃ mukundaṃ anudinamahaṃ āśraye|

anupallavi

anandānandaguṇa paripūraṇaṃ |

akhila jagadāmādikāraṇam||

caraṇam

pādapaṅkaja yuga mānatribhuvanam| pākārisannutamaghaśamanam|

ādimadhyāntavihīnamabjanayanam | amalaṃ śrī veṅkaṭaramaṇam||

******************

ശൊന്ഗ് നൊ: ൬൪, പഗെ ൯൪

(അനന്തായ നമ:)

അനന്തം ആനന്ദം മുകുന്ദമ്|

രാഗ – ആനന്ദഭൈരവി താള -- ആദി

ആ: സ ഗ രി ഗ മ പ ദ പ സ

അ: സ നി ധ പ മ ഗ രി സ

പല്ലവി

അനന്തം ആനന്ദം മുകുന്ദം അനുദിനമഹം ആശ്രയേ|

അനുപല്ലവി

അനന്ദാനന്ദഗുണ പരിപൂരണം |

അഖില ജഗദാമാദികാരണമ്||

ചരണമ്

പാദപങ്കജ യുഗ മാനത്രിഭുവനമ്| പാകാരിസന്നുതമഘശമനമ്|

ആദിമധ്യാന്തവിഹീനമബ്ജനയനമ് | അമലം ശ്രീ വേങ്കടരമണമ്||

******************

शॊन्ग् नॊ: ६४, पगॆ ९४

(अनन्ताय नम:)

अनन्तं आनन्दं मुकुन्दम्।

राग – आनन्दभैरवि ताळ -- आदि

आ: स ग रि ग म प द प स

अ: स नि ध प म ग रि स

पल्लवि

अनन्तं आनन्दं मुकुन्दं अनुदिनमहं आश्रये।

अनुपल्लवि

अनन्दानन्दगुण परिपूरणं ।

अखिल जगदामादिकारणम्॥

चरणम्

पादपङ्कज युग मानत्रिभुवनम्। पाकारिसन्नुतमघशमनम्।

आदिमध्यान्तविहीनमब्जनयनम् । अमलं श्री वेङ्कटरमणम्॥

******************

śong 61, page 90 govinda! gopāla!

अनघं अनवरतम् रागं नाटकुरिञ्जि ताळं आदि

 Song no: 55, page 81

(अनघाय नम:)

अनघं अनवरतम्

रागं नाटकुरिञ्जि ताळं आदि

आरोहणं: स रि ग म नि ध नि प ध नि स

अवरोहणं: स नि ध प म ग स

पल्लवि

अनघं अनवरतं आश्रये।

अनुपल्लवि

सनकादि मुनि सन्नुत चरणारविन्दं मुकुन्दम्।

चरणं

हरिणाक्षी श्रीरुग्मिणी हृदरविन्दभानुं अघवन कृशानुम्।

शरणागत जन सुरधेनुं श्रीकर वेङ्कटरमणं विधृत वेणुम्॥

******************

Meaning of the song ‘anagham anavaratam’

Anagham – sinless

Anavaratam – always

Ashraye – (I) depend upon

Sanakaadi muni sannuta – supplicated by sages in the line of Sanaka

Charanaravindam – lotus feet

Mukundam – Lord Mukunda (One who bestows moksha)

Harinaakshi – eyes like that of a female deer

Sri Rukmini – goddess Rukmini

Hrudaravinda – lotus heart

Bhanum – the sun

Aghavanam – forest of sins

Krushanum – fire

Sharanagata jana- for those who have surrendered

Suradhenum – the celestial cow (Kamadhenu)

Sri kara – one who bestows all prosperity

Venkataramanam – one who revels in Thiruvenkadam (Tirumala/Tirupati)

Vidhruta venum - having the flute in his hand

Note: This beautiful composition presents a picture of Lord Krishna and his

attributes.

Tirupati, 04 April 2024: The five-day Annamacharya Vardhanti fete commenced with Metlotsavam at Alipiri Padala Mandapam521st Death Anniversary of the saint poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya from April 4-8.

Tirupati, 04 April 2024: The five-day Annamacharya Vardhanti fete commenced with Metlotsavam at Alipiri Padala Mandapam on Thursday.

4h --8h apr 

kolattam annamya Prasad at ahobhilamatt to sapthagiri sravana darsanam

https://youtu.be/EK6S8eDg41M

https://youtu.be/kT5MCqZfQQQ

https://youtu.be/X7Lgq1c1-n0

The Annamacharya Project of TTD is organizing the 521st Death Anniversary of the saint poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya from April 4-8.

https://youtube.com/shorts/A5uGazo9vRo?feature=share

https://youtu.be/EgEQIQkulus

The Project Director Dr Vibhishana Sharma speaking on the occasion said, that many great personalities reached Tirumala trekking Alipiri footpath pioneered by Sri Annamacharya. He said nearly 2000 Bhajana members from AP, TS and Karnataka participated in Metlotsavam. 

The officer said there will be Gosti Ganam on April 5 at Narayanagiri Gardens at 6pm in Tirumala.

In Tallapaka village at 108 feet statue of Annamacharya also this fete will be observed till April 8, he maintained.

DyEO Smt Shanti, Annamacharya descendant Sri Hari Narayanacharyulu and others were present.

ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER, TTDs TIRUPATI

tankam ennapadam feb Made with Clipchamp