We continue the account of the battle that led to Bhandāsurā’s demise, as recorded in the śrī Lalitha sahasranāma. Viśangāna attempted to ambush Devī from the rear, but his plan failed. śrī Lalithaṃbika commanded the fifteen Nitya Devīs, her constant companions, to engage in battle. They swiftly attacked and obliterated the fifteen Akṣauhinisa led by Viśangāna. Realizing the disaster this tactic had brought upon his forces, Bhandāsurā began to deliberate and summoned his thirty sons for counsel.
Their unusual names are as follows, Chaturbahu, Cakorakṣana, Chatussiran, Vajraghoṣana, Simhaghośan, Ghandalāna, Chandavarnan, Pūramarāna, Svargaśatṛ, Athimayan, Upamayan, Anthakāna, and Yamanthakāna, among others. With great affection, Bhandāsurā gathered them around him. “Dearest sons, I sent our renowned soldiers into battle, believing we were facing an ordinary woman. Alas, all of them were slain by the śakti Sena. We had once defeated Indra, a victory won solely through your strength. You have brought me triumph in countless wars.
Therefore, Bhandāsurā commanded, “Please enter the battlefield and capture our opponent, this weak and helpless woman.” The rules of war dictated that army commanders should only engage with their equal counterparts, horsemen with horsemen, and elephant brigades against opposing elephant brigades. Warfare was meant to be conducted between equals in strength and authority. Devī’s army remained vigilant, having narrowly escaped defeat the night before. Mantriṇī and Dandhinī readied themselves to confront the advancing enemy, but were halted by Bala Tripura Sundarī.
Bala Devī is the beloved child of the śakti Sena, said to be just nine years old. She holds a necklace of Rudrākṣa beads and a book of mudrāsa in her four divine hands, symbolizing assurance of refuge and blessings. Remarkably, she does not wield any weapons. Embodying all knowledge, she represents true wisdom. Despite her seemingly vulnerable position, the others tried hard to dissuade her, questioning how a small, unarmed child could confront such powerful Asuras.
Bālā TripuraSundarī stood firm, declaring, “If the opponent is Bhandāsurā, then śrī Parameśvarī should confront him. However, I am the rightful one to counter the might of the Bhandāputras.” Reaffirming her decision, Bālā Devī approached Lalithaṃbika. Known as the life breath of Devī Lalithaṃbika, Bālā TripuraSundarī’s resolve saddened Lalithaṃbika who remarked, “You are only a child.”
“I brought you to the battlefield merely for appearances, not for actual combat,” said śrī Lalithaṃbika. “Why do you wish to fight? How can you confront such strong and cruel Asuras with your soft, tiny hands? Please, do not venture into battle.” śrī Lalithaṃbika tried her best to sway Bālā Tripura Sundarī’s resolve. However, Bala Devī stood firm, skillfully countering Lalithaṃbika’s arguments and ultimately winning the debate. Despite being unarmed, she remained resolute.
śrī Lalithaṃbika fashioned a small protective sheath of armor and a breastplate for Bālā Devī from a piece of her own armor. She created a chariot, named “Karṇi Ratha,” for Bālā Devī from her flower-tipped arrows, drawn by graceful swans. Armed and radiant, Bālā Tripura Sundarī headed to the battlefield. Everyone present, including the śakti Sena, bowed their heads in devotion and prostrated before her. Bālāṃbika blessed the śakti Sena with her tiny hands and smiled affectionately as she set out to confront her enemies.
Bālā Devī fought valiantly in a fierce war against all thirty sons of Bhandāsurā, who besieged her from all sides. Utilizing the Nārāyaṇa Astra, she instantly annihilated the massive army accompanying the Bhandās Putras. With a single arrow, she killed all thirty asuras effortlessly. After her victorious battle, she returned to Lalithaṃbika and prostrated before her. This moment, along with the form of Bālāṃbika, is uniquely described in the Lalitha Sahasranāma, not found elsewhere.
bhaṇḍaputra-vadhodyukta-bālāvikrama-nanditā
[She who delights in seeing the valor of the goddess bala who
is intent on killing the sons of bhanda]
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama – 74)
Sri Lalithaṃbhika lovingly picks up child Bala Devī, cradling her in her lap and showering her with affection. It is said that she bestows her blessings upon Bālāṃbika. We are currently exploring the events leading to the demise of Bhandāsurā, as narrated in the Lalitha Sahasranāma. More details will unfold in the upcoming episodes.
To be continued….
#Lalita #LalithaSahasranāma
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