Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The Legends of the Goddess-6

Lalita Parameshwari pleased with the hymn offered to grant a boon to Indra. Indra requested her to defeat Bhandasura
She also said:

Ye stuvanti cha maam Bhaktya Stavenaanena Maanavaa:
Bhaanjanam te bhavishyanti Dharma-Shree-Yashasaam Sadaa
Vidyaa-vinaya sampanna Neerogaa Dheergha-jeevana:
Putra-mitra-kalathraadhya Bhavantu Madanugrahaat

All those men, who shall praise me with this beautiful hymn (named 'Lalitaa Stava Raaja'), shall obtain dharma, wealth and fame constantly. They will obtain qualities like humility, knowledge, health, progeny and longevity.

Kaameshwara marries Sri Lalitaa
Brahma, the creator of the world, along with all the sages, came to visit Sridevi and have her Darshan. Vishnu, on his vehicle Garuda and Lord Shiva on his bull Nandi, came to see the supreme queen of the universe. Narada and the other celestial sages, groups of celestial damsels, Vishwavasu and other Gandharvas (celestial musicians) and Yakshas (a class of demi-gods) also arrived to have a Darshan of Lalita Mahatripurasundari. As per the orders of Brahma, Vishwakarma, the celestial sculptor, constructed a beautiful city for the residence of Sridevi. Then, goddess Durga, the mistress of all Mantras arrived to see Sri Lalita, along with Sri Shyamala, the goddess of learning. The other deities who came to have a Darshan of Sri Lalita Mahatripurasundari included the seven Matrika goddesses (Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahendri and Chamunda), the eight great accomplishments or Siddhis (Animaa, Laghimaa, Mahimaa, Garimaa, Ishitaa, Vashitaa, Prapti and Prakamyaa), crores of Bhairavas, Kshetrapalas, Yoginis, Mahaashaastaa (the leader of Bhoota Ganas), Mahaganesha, Kartikeya, Vatuka Bhairava and Veerabhadra. They prostrated at the lotus feet of the supreme goddess and praised Her in various ways.

That Devipura (city of the great goddess) began to look supremely beautiful, filled with towers, arched doorways, walls, stables of elephants and horses, high ways and houses of  subordinates, ministers, soldiers, Brahmanas, minstrels, maids and others. In the middle of the city was a royal palace, which was decorated with doors and towers. It had a number of rooms and assembly halls. In the center of the main assembly hall, which was studded with the nine gems, there was a throne made of Chinatamani gems (gems that are
credited to have the power to grant all that one desires). This throne emitted its own light and was glorious like the rising sun. It was the only one of its kind. Looking at this luxury, Brahma thought, “Oh! A person, who sits on this throne, even if foolish, shall become the ruler of the entire universe by virtue of this throne. A lady or a man, are not eligible to rule a country alone. They have to rule a country together. The Smriti says that a gentleman with righteous behavior, accompanied by a virtuous wife, should be made the king of a nation. This great goddess shines like the very embodiment of romance. There can be no better match for her in all the three worlds, other than Lord Shiva.However, Shiva has long matted locks, has a distorted eye, holds a skull, is dirty, has an ash-smeared body, resides in the crematorium and looks terrible. Will this lady, who seems to be the very personification of auspiciousness, ever wed Shiva, who looks so inauspicious?”

As Brahma was thinking so, Lord Shankara appeared in front of him in the form of Sri Kaameshwara. He had the beauty of crores of cupids and had a divine physique. He wore heavenly garments, wore garlands of flowers and had a body that was anointed with fragrant sandal paste. He was decorated with a crown, necklace, bracelet, earrings and many other ornaments. His beautiful form was capable of enchanting the entire world. Brahma at once embraced this young man and named him 'Kaameshwara'. Then Brahma
decided that Kaameshwara was the perfect match for Sri Lalita and went to see her, along with Kaameshwara. Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra praised Sri Lalita by means of a hymn. As soon as Kaameshwara saw the deer-eyed Lalita, he immediately fell in love with her. The supremely beautiful goddess saw Kaameshwara, who had the beauty of crores of cupids, fell in love with him and decided that he was the perfect match for her. Sri Lalita and Sri Kaameshwara (who are the knowers of all emotional specialties, who have conquered the senses and whose ways are not understandable by the rest) were immersed in looking at each other, for a moment. Then Brahma addressed Sridevi thus, “O great Devi! All these celestials, sages and damsels wish to see you seated on this throne, along with your spouse. Who is that blessed man, suitable to be your husband? For the sake of protecting the worlds, please wed such a gentleman”.

Having heard Brahma's words, Sri Lalita Parameshwari addressed Brahma, Vishnu and the others with a smiling face as follows:
“O celestials, I always want to be free and independent. I act as per my sweet will. One
who has similar attributes is suitable to be my spouse”.

Brahma then said, “O great goddess! Marriage between a lady and a man can be of four types: Kalakrita, Krayakrita, Pitrudatta and Swayamyuta. The first two respectively refer to a prostitute and a maidservant. A lady, who is duly given in marriage to a suitable man, by her own father, is called 'Bharya'. A lady who chooses her own husband by means of 'Gaandharva' rites is called Swayamyuta. She is on the same standing as Pitrudatta. O Parameshwari! From that great Parabrahman, which is free from duality and which is the beyond the states of existence and non-existence and which is of the form of the bliss of pure consciousness, from that Brahman- Prakriti, the primordial nature originated. O Devi, you are both Parabrahman and Prakriti. You are without a beginning, and you are everything. Sanaka and the other great Yogis are forever in search of you. It is you who is perceived as both good and evil deeds. Everyone praises you who are the embodiment of the five Brahmas. O Maheshwari, in the beginning, you create the entire universe in just a second. It is you who protects the creation. Later, you dissolve the same. Hence, by wedding a suitable man, your independence can never be affected. At least to shower your benevolence on
this universe, please wed a suitable person”.

Thus requested by Brahma and the other celestials, Sri Lalita Parameshwari picked a garland from her hand and threw it into the sky. It landed around the neck of Sri Kaameshwara. 
This caused a great delight to Brahma, Vishnu and the other Devas. Inspired by Indra, the clouds showered flowers on Sridevi and Sri Kaameshwara. Then Brahma addressed Sri Narayana thus, “O Lord! You have to perform the wedding ceremony of Sridevi with Sri Kaameshwara. This muhurtha is auspicious to the entire world. This great goddess is having your own form. You were born with her (you are her brother). Hence, you are eligible to give her hand in wedding to Sri Kaameshwara”.

Lord Sri Mahavishnu heard Brahma's words and acted accordingly, by performing the wedding
of Sridevi and Sri Kaameshwara, as per the prescribed ceremonial rites. During that time, Brahma and the other celestials offered various gifts to the newly wedded couple.Brahma gave a sugarcane-bow, which was indestructible as the diamond. Then Narayana offered arrows of flowers, which were forever fresh. Varuna gave a Naga Pasha (a serpent noose) and Vishwakarma (the head of the business class) a hook. Agni gifted a crown, the sun and the moon gave earrings and the Lord of the ocean gave an ornament studded with the nine gems. Indra, the Lord of the celestials gifted a bowl of wine that was ever filled. Kubera gifted a necklace made of Chintamani gems. Then Sri Narayana, the Lord of Sri Mahalakshmi, gifted an umbrella, a symbol of kinghood. Rivers Ganga and Yamuna offered fans, which were shining like the moon. Brahma, the eight Vasus, the twelve suns, Ashwini twins, the guardians of the eight quarters, seven wind-gods, Sadhyas, all of them offered their weapons to Sridevi. They also offered chariots with horses that were extremely speedy, strong and healthy.

The Pattaabhisheka of Kaameshwara and Kaameshwari
Then, the celestials performed the crowning ceremony of Sri Kaameshwari and Sri Kaameshwara, by seating them on the divine throne. During this auspicious occasion, Brahma presented a Vimaana called 'Kusumakara' to the divine couple. This was decorated with flowers that were ever fresh. This Vimana was indestructible by weapons of any kind. It had the power to move freely on the land and in the skies. By merely smelling the scent of this Vimaana, delusion, hunger, thirst and other diseases would be completely eliminated. The divine couple, seated in this glorious Vimaana, which was decorated with fans, pillars and umbrellas, went on a procession in the royal highway, accompanied by all the celestials. This was accompanied by the music of various instruments like the Veena, flute and Mridanga. The celestial damsels and Sumangalis, who were standing in front of each house in that street, held flowers and Laaja Akshata in
their hands and showered them on the divine couple, as the procession passed in front of their house. All the citizens of that celestial city praised the divine couple with auspicious songs and the music of Veena, flute and other instruments. Kameshwari and Sri Kaameshwara, enjoying this fanfare and welcome in each of the streets of that city, proceeded slowly, feeling pleased and happy. They accepted Aarati from the divine
damsels in front of every house and then arrived at their magnificent palace. They got down from the Vimaana and entered the courtroom. Sri Lalita Mahaatripurasundari, who is all knowing and revered by all, seated on the divine throne with Kaameshwara, granted the desires of all her courtiers by a mere graceful sight. Observing this wonderful act of Sridevi, creator Brahma offered Her the titles: Kamakshi and Kaameshwari.

According to the orders of Sridevi, the clouds showered rain at the appropriate times and also showered
valuable things like ornaments. Chintamani, Kalpavriksha, Kamadhenu and Sri Lakshmi resided in every house in that Devi Pura. Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, the guardians of the eight directions, the celestials, Narada and the other celestial Rishis, Sanaka, Sanandana and the other Brahma Rishis, Yogis, Maharshis, Manus, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Vasishta and other sages, Yakshas and all the other divine beings, belonging to both the heavens and the earth, gave up all their other occupations and began to reside in that city, filled with the only desire to serve the divine mother.

Bibliography: Advaita Brahmavidya Pratishthana, Bangalore: Copy of Lalitopakhyana


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