Accompanied by her army of millions of śaktisa, Devī set out to war with the intention of killing Bhandāsurā. The various chariots ridden by the Devīs manifested by her included the Geya Cakra and Kiricākra. Bālā Devī rode on a chariot called the Karnirataḥ, while Devī herself rode to war on the śrī Chakrarāja chariot. The movement of her war chariots made it seem as if the majestic Vindhya and Himalaya Mountains were in motion.The Devasa played celestial instruments and sang hymns in her praise, showering flowers from the skies as a sign of good fortune. Sages like Nārada also composed and sang many hymns in her honor. Their joy was reflected in the resounding ovation that encouraged the marching army. Devī’s chariot rolled alongside those of her war commanders, as she rode with a gentle and auspicious smile on her face, assuring victory.
Bhandāsurā, who had previously revealed in prosperity, suddenly began to witness evil and ominous portents in his city. He saw comets streaking across the sky and falling stars. A thick, smoky fog settled and spread everywhere. Unexpected obstacles arose during the Yajñas being conducted. Dark objects fell with the rain, and wolves howled, creating an eerie atmosphere, as if ghosts haunted his land. Numerous omens heralding great misfortune appeared.
Bhandāsurā was assailed by doubt: “Such evil portents have never before appeared in śunyaka, my city. What could be the reason for these ominous signs?” He convened a council with his ministers and close allies, including Viṣukrāna, Viśangāna, and Kutilakṣana, to seek an explanation for the ominous portents. It was then that he learned the tidings of war. He was informed that Lalitha Parameśvarī, intent on his destruction, was approaching with a vast army under her command. An army of śaktisa, numbering in the millions, had manifested to challenge his might.
He understood that the chief military commanders of Devī were Mantriṇī, Dandhinī, Aśvarudhā, and Saṃpathkāri. Convening a council of war, he sought the opinions of his younger brothers, Viṣukrāna and Viśangāna. Viṣukrāna confidently stated, “We have nothing to worry about. We have defeated many great warriors and their formidable armies. Your sons, the Bhandāputras, have triumphed over numerous Devasa and mighty kings.”
“Even Lord Parameśvara fled, not wanting to face our fury. Lord Mahāviṣṇu also ran from us. We soundly defeated Brahma, who had to undergo treatment to heal himself. The current challenge we face is from an army consisting solely of women. There is not the slightest chance of defeat at the hands of such a force. Let us send a soldier from the lowest ranks of our army as our messenger. Viṣukrāna continued with great arrogance, saying, ‘Let us instruct this messenger to bring this Lalitha, who has dared to challenge us, to our royal assembly, dragging her by her hair.”
Viśangāna was thoughtful as he listened to the prideful words of Viṣukrāna. He said, “We must never underestimate the strength of our enemy. Remember our great ancestor, Mahābalī. He considered that small Brahmin boy begging for alms to be weak and helpless. When the diminutive Vāmana asked for three paces of land, our great ancestor, Emperor Mahābalī, agreed without any forethought. Vāmana then manifested as Trivikrama, covering the earth and the heavens in two steps. For the third step, Mahābalī offered his bowed head, on which Vāmana stepped and sent him to Sutala.”
Thus, everything was given over to Vāmana because Mahābalī found him amusingly insignificant. Hiraṇyākṣa was killed by what he considered merely a wild boar (Varāha), thinking it no match for his strength. We should reflect on the destruction of Mahiṣāsura. When Mahiṣāsura sought to capture a beautiful girl from the Himalayas, whom he deemed weak and helpless, he met his end at her hands. There are other examples I could mention. Let us not be hasty. Instead, let us send our spies to scout the enemy’s army.
“We must assess the actual strength of the enemy army and prepare for a counterattack, mustering our forces based on this estimate,” said Viśangāna. Bhandāsurā was reluctant to immediately agree to Viśangāna’s proposed tactics, embodying pride and conceit. He summoned his army chief, Kutilakṣana, and commanded, “Send 100 akṣaunisa approximately twenty lakh men, to conquer the enemy army and, if possible, bring this woman back alive. If not, you are authorized to kill her.”
“These women must possess great powers bestowed upon them by their mantrasa. Therefore, we must employ occult powers against their army. We need to perform Yojanas to placate the dark forces and entice them to our side. Many should engage in occult magic to confuse and weaken the advancing enemy.” Thus Bhandāsurā prepared for war. We are hearing the background of the impending conflict that will culminate in the killing of Bhandāsurā. More details will follow in the coming episodes.
To be continued….
#Lalita #LalithaSahasranāma
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