We are listening to the commentary of the mantras under the topic “Bhandāsurāvadham”. The mantras related to Bhandāsurāvadham are as follows,
bhaṇḍāsura-vadhodyukta-śaktisenā-samanvitā
[She who is endowed with an army of shaktis intent on slaying Bhandāsurā]
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – 65)
We shall explain the mantras up to the seventieth.
sampatkarī-samārūḍha-sindhura-vrajasevitā
[Who is attended by a herd of elephants ably commanded by sampatkari]
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – 66)
aśvārūḍhā-dhiṣṭhitāśva-koṭikoṭi-bhirāvṛtā
[She who is surrounded by a cavalry of several million horses which are under the command of the shakti, ashvarudha]
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – 67)
cakrarāja-rathārūḍha-sarvāyudha-pariṣkṛtā
[She who shines in Her chariot chakraraja, equipped with all
kinds of weapons]
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – 68)
geyacakra-rathārūḍha-mantriṇī-parisevitā
[She who is served by the shakti named mantrini who rides the
chariot known as geyacakra]
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – 69)
kiricakra-rathārūḍha-daṇḍa-nāthā-puraskṛtā
[She who is escorted by the shakti known as dandanatha,seated
in the kirichakra chariot]
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – 70)
Devī manifested, organized, and equipped a formidable army of śaktisa with the sole aim of slaying Bhandāsurā. His army consisted of the terrifying asurās Viśānan, Viśaṅgnan, Dhūminī, Bhandāsurā’s numerous sons, Dhūmralocanan, Kutilakṣan, and others. Devī created śaktisa mirroring each of her foes natures, appointing them as commanders of her Infantry, Horse Cavalry, and Elephant Regiments. She also manifested Mantriṇī as her prime minister and created a daughter, equal to herself in every way, naming her Bālā Tripurasundarī. The immense army she manifested numbered in the millions.
Devī is described as,
nityā-ṣoḍaśikārūpā
[She who is in the form of the sixteen daily deities (i.e., Kameshvari, Bhagamalini, Nityaklinna, Bherunda, Vahnivasini, Mahavajreshvari, Shivaduti, Tvarita, Kulasundari, Nitya, Nilapatakini, Vijaya, Sarvamangala, Jvalamalina, Chitra and Tripurasundari]
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – 391)
“Forever in the form of a sixteen-year-old,” Devī also manifested a daughter co-equal to her in every aspect, so closely resembling her that they could be mistaken for each other. She named her Bālā Tripurasundarī. also known as Bālā Devī, who has her own unique and auspicious mantra. Bālā Tripurasundarī holds a book in her hand and is adorned with an “akṣamālā” (a garland of Rudraksha beads).
Her other hand is in the Abhaya varada mudra, symbolizing protection and blessings to all who pray to her. Her chariot, crafted in the shape of the Sri Chakra, is called the “Kannī Rath.” Mantriṇī, who manifested from Devī, is also known as Rājamātaṅgī, Mātaṅgī, śyāmala, and Sangeetha śyāmala. Devī Mīnākṣī of Madurai is said to be a partial incarnation of Mantriṇī Devī.
Mīnākṣī Devī ruled over her land of Madurai, caring deeply for her subjects’ well-being. Mantriṇī, also known as Mudreśvarī, oversees the kingdom during times when Devī is not engaged in state affairs. She wears a signet ring bearing Devī’s symbol, receiving the same respect and obedience from the people as their great queen, for she represents Empress Devī herself.
This is why she is called Mudreśvarī, as she wears a signet ring with Devī’s symbol, and Rājamātaṅgī.
mantriṇī-nyasta-rājyadhūḥ
[She who has entrusted Her regal responsibilities to Her mantrini]
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama -786)
“She who has entrusted her country to Mantriṇī.” Rājamātaṅgī, or Mantriṇī, is Devī’s Prime Minister. Devī also manifested Dandhanātha Mantriṇī is known by many other names: Saṃgīthayogini, śyāma, śyāmala Pradhaneṣi, Sukhapriya, Vīnavathi, Vainikī, Mudrini, Kadaṃbeṣi, Kadaṃbavanavasini, and Sadamada, among others.
Mantriṇī holds in her hands an exquisite vīṇa crafted from red ruby and is regarded as the presiding deity of music, considered equal to her mistress. She was manifested from the sugarcane bow of Lalithaparameśvarī From her flower-tipped arrows, she created āhvarudha, also known as dandhinī
Devī manifests in two forms. When she appears with the face of Varāha(boar), she is known as Vārāhi or Mahāvārāhi. In her regular form, she serves as the army commander, wielding a mighty plough in one hand and a pestle in the other, alongside an impressive armory of weapons. This form is worshiped at Tiruvanaikkavu in Tamil Nadu as Akhilandeśvarī. Bālā Tripurasundarī meanwhile, is venerated as Devī kanyākumāri. We are exploring the topics related to the slaying of Bhandāsurā., as recounted in the LalithaSahasranāma. More details will follow in the upcoming episodes.
To be continued….
#Lalita #LalithaSahasranāma
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