The Story of Godes Lalitha [Lalithopakhyaana-4]

[soundararajan50]

Lalitopakhyana – IV
( 4th Day)


Birth of Bhandasura

150. At this point of time, Chitrakarma, the commander of one of the Rudra Ganas
(Gana = troupe) one day started toying with the ash of the burnt Manmatha and
prepared a doll out of it. He took this doll to Lord Shiva.
151. Lord Shiva’s intentions are indeed unfathomable. As soon as the doll neared
Lord Shiva, it sprang to life and the boy thus born prostrated before Lord Shiva and
Chitrakarma.
152. Chitrakarma was overwhelmed with joy. He gave the boy the Upadesha of
Shata-Rudreeya Mantra and asked him to undertake penance.
153. When the penance reached the stage of fruition, Lord Shiva appeared before
him. He asked Lord Shiva to grant him a special boon “anyone who fights against me
should immediately lose half of his strength and that strength should be added to my
strength. None of the weapons of my opponents should be able to bind me” was his
request. Immediately Lord Shiva granted the boon and added, “I am also bestowing
on you the boon of ruling the kingdom for sixty thousand years”. After giving these
boons, Lord Shiva disappeared.
154. He became surprised and a bit apprehensive by the words of Lord Shiva. But
soon he forgot it.
155. Lord Brahma, who was witnessing all this, grew frustrated and swore “Bhand”
“Bhand” (meaning shame, shame). From then on, he got the name “Bhanda”.
Because of his qualities he became an Asura (demon) and entered the domain of
Asuras. This is how he got the name ‘Bhandasura’.
156. In the mean time, from the remnants of the ash of Manmatha were born two
demons – Vishukra and Vishanga. These two became the main brothers of
Bhandasura.
157. In addition, thousands of Rakshasas (demons) were born out of the ash of
Manmatha. All of them became followers of Bhandasura. They formed a strong army
of 300 Akshouhinis (one Akshouhini consists of 21870 elephants, 65610 horses and
109350 soldiers).
158. Having come to know about the birth of thousands of Rakshasas, Shukracharya
(the guru of Rakshasas) came there and assumed the role of the Guru for all those
Rakshasas and initiated them to undertake regular Anushthanas (daily rituals).
159. He also summoned Maya, the architect-builder of demons and asked him to
create a new city in the province of Mahendra Mountains. He named the city as
‘Shoonyaka Pattana’

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160. Shukracharya asked all the demons to move to the new city. He crowned
Bhandasura as the king of the newly formed kingdom and made Vishukra and
Vishanga the Yuvarajas (princes) of that kingdom.
161. Bhandasura had four wives. 1. Sammohini, 2. Kumudini, 3. Chitrangi 4.
Sundari.
162. Under the guidance of Shukracharya, activities like fire sacrifices, Vedic
education and penance went on uninterruptedly in every house.
Tormenting of the three worlds:
163. When the kingdom was well established, Bhandasura called for a meeting of his
brothers and ministers and said :
A) Devatas (Gods) are our enemies. As long as Manmatha was alive, their
lineage continued without any problems. They also enjoyed many
pleasures.
B) Now, because of our luck, we have taken birth from the ashes of
Manmatha. The gods are trying to see that Manmatha is born again. We
should not allow that to happen. Before they try anything like that, we
should kill the Devatas.
C) But, if we go in our present form, we can not win. Let us therefore assume
the form of air and enter their bodies.
D) After having so entered their bodies, let us dry up their body fluids,
especially the semen.
E) If semen dries up, the strength of other tissues and organs will
automatically diminish. Then they will automatically be annihilated.
F) Let us torment the beings of all the three worlds by entering their bodies in
the form of air and by drying up their body fluids.
164. Hearing this, the entire army of the demons cheered with joy.
165. Without wasting much time, Bhandasura and his army of 1000 Akshouhinis
assumed the invisible form of air and entered the heaven.
166. First of all, they entered the minds of the angels and dried up their mental
faculties.
167. Subsequently they entered the face of the angels, robbed them of their beauty
and made them ugly looking.
168. All the women and men in the heaven became impotent and sterile.
169. Not only that, their love for one another was also lost. They lost enthusiasm to
do anything.
170. Even the plants and animals suffered the same fate.
171. Vishukra, along with his troupes entered Bhooloka (earth) and meted out the
same treatment to the beings there.

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172. People on the planet earth stopped smiling. They lost all happiness. No one had
any respect for another. No one thought of helping the other. They lost interest in
their activities. The situation was stone-like, devoid of any life and feelings.
173. Vishanga, along with his troupes entered Rasaatala (one of the seven nether
worlds). He created similar havoc there also.
174. In the Naga Loka (land of serpents) everyone became afflicted with grief for no
apparent reason. Everyone started hating everyone else. Everyone became drained
of energy and potency.
175. Rasa, the fluid principle is the basis for the accomplishment of the four-fold
aims of life (Purusharthas). Let us see how.
A. Rasa itself is the form of Paramatma, the Almighty.
B. From Rasa are created Shukla (sperm) and Shonita (ovum). These two are
collectively called as Veerya.
C. From Veerya comes Kanti (radiance), Utsaaha (enthusiasm), Ullasa
(happiness), Dharma (righteousness), Daya (compassion), Preeti (love),
Buddhi (intellectual capabilities), Vikasa (development), Parakrama (valour)
Shastra Vijnana (scientific knowledge), Kala Asakti (interest in arts),
Soundarya Drishti (proper concept of beauty) etc.
D. In plants, the Rasa enhances the fire energy, which is hidden in them. Only
when the fire energy is harnessed, the plants can branch out and bear
flowers and fruits. Because of this fire principle, the dried logs catch fire
easily and burn.
E. The Vedas have declared that beings can experience happiness only if Rasa
is present.
F. Rasa is nothing but Prana (vital energy).
G. Having known all these secrets, Bhandasura devised the plan of entering
the bodies of all beings in the form of air and drying them up.
176. Vasanta, the close friend and associate of Manmatha observed this immediately
and consoled Rati (Manmatha’s wife). He said “Even the sun, the moon and the stars
have lost their brilliance. Even Goddess Parvati seems to have become dull and has
engaged in Tapas. Therefore, the day when your dead husband will come to life
again is not very far. That day will come very soon. So, stop grieving.”
177. On hearing this, Rati Devi prepared to undertake penance.
178. In the heaven, all the Devatas including Brahma, could not comprehend what
was going on and what had caused the situation. Not knowing the remedy for their
hardship, they approached Lord Sri Hari.
179. When they finally reached the abode of Lord Sri Hari, they saw that even He
was sitting still with his eyes closed. It appeared as though He was merged in the
bliss of Sushupti. After the angels praised His glory for a long time, Lord Sri Hari
slowly opened His eyes.
180. “What is this? Why are you all looking drained of your energies?” asked Lord Sri
Hari. He called everyone by their names and said :
A. Your present condition is due to the invisible foul play of Bhandasura.

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B. Even I have lost the affinity for Goddess Lakshmi. What to say about other
lesser beings?
C. Myself, Brahma and Rudra are Karana Purushas (causal beings for the
manifest creation). Even then, because we are also inhabiting this creation,
even we can not escape the torture of Bhandasura.
D. There is however one Almighty God who is beyond this manifest
Brahmanda. He is called Maha Shambhu. Parashakti is constantly in His
Company.
E. He is devoid of form. He is not dependent on anything. He has no
modifications. He is greater than the greatest. He is the ultimate.
F. He is not influenced by the foul play of Bhandasura, who is born from the
ashes of Manmatha.
G. He can rescue us from our difficulties. Therefore, let us all take refuge in
Him and praise Him. Follow me.
181. So saying, Sri Hari led all the angels to the brim of the Brahmanda (Universe).
There was a huge wall like fence there.
182. The angels summoned the celestial elephants to break the wall. After toiling
continuously for one year, a breach was formed in the wall.
183. After passing through the breach, they saw Chinmaya Akasha, which was
Niralamba (independent), Nirajnana (untainted) and which was devoid of the five
elements.
184. They all stood in that Chinmaya Akasha and sang the glory of Maha Shambhu,
who was of the form of Chidakasha.
185. Then Maha Shambhu appeared before them. He was dark like clouds. He had
two hands. He was holding a Shoola (spear) in one hand and a Kapala (skull) in the
other. He had three eyes.
186. Parashakti also appeared before them. She was holding Aksha Mala (rosary of
beads) and Pustaka (book) in Her hands. She was bright and cool like the moon

Tags: godes, lalitha, lalithopakhyaana, story

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