The War Begins
Lalita Devi then set out to vanquish the army of Bhandasura
She rode the SriChakra Ratha , holding a noose, a spear, a bow made of sugarcane and five flowery arrows. From her spear (Ankusha) appeared a Goddess named Sampatkari Devi .
Sampatkaree Samaaroodha Sindhura Vraja Sevita
She was of the brilliance of a thousand suns, and wearing a shining armour and carrying a pwerful sword, she rode the huge elephant called Ranakolaahala. Sampatkari Devi and her army of huge elephants followed the chariot of Sri Lalita Devi.
From the noose (Paasha) of Sri Lalita Devi appeared the goddess named Ashwaaroodha Devi, along with an army of swift horses.
Ashwaaroodha Dhishtitaashva Koti Kotibhiraavrutaa
She shone like the rising sun and rode on a horse called Aparaajita. Ashwaaroodha Devi and her army started leading the chariot of Sri Lalita
Varahi, the commander-in-chief of the Shakti Sena, of bluish hue and boar-faced, followed Sri Lalitha on the "Kiri Chakra" ratha.
Kiri Chakra rathaaroodha Dandanaatha Puraskrutaa
From her umbrella appeared many shaktis, who were boar-faced. The chariot had five landings, and were protected by the boar-faced shaktis. They helped regulate the entire army. A smoke-coloured buffalo, capable of agitating the seven oceans is Sri Varahi's vahana, which marches behind the Kiri Chakra.
Goddess Raja Maatangi, the Mantrini (Prime Minister) of the Shakti Sena, radiant like the blue stone and holding a veena in her hands, rode in the "Geya chakra" chariot ahead of Sri Lalita. This chariot would make melodious music when it moved and had seven landings.
Geyachakra rathaaroodha mantrini parisevitaa
The Shaktis that emerged out of Sri Raja Maatangi were beautiful, played musical instruments and danced to the tunes and lead the army. An army consisting of one thousand akshouhinis (one Akshauhini consists of 21870 chariots, as many elephants, 65610 horses and 109350 soldiers on foot) followed Sri Mantrini.
Now, Sri Lalita Parameshwari ascended the Srichakra chariot and started to the battlefield.
Bhandaasura Vadhodyukta Shakti Senaa samanvitaa
She held a dazzling Ankusha, Pasha that looked like the king cobra,sugarcane-bow decorated with tinkling bells and five flower-arrows (Lotus, Asoka,Choota, Blue lotus and Jasmine) in her hands. Her body emitted a wondrous red glow that was thousand times brighter than that of the rising sun. A number of Shaktis and Gupta Yoginis protected the ten landing chariot of Sri Lalita.
Indra and several deities, appear on raised landings, next to the KiriChakra ratha to remind Lalita Parameshwari of their request and to facilitate the protection of the world.
Srichakra, Geya Chakra and Kiri Chakra chariots started moving together, as though the three worlds were on motion. The three looked like Meru, Mandara and Vindhya mountains. There was a tremendous uproar in the Shakti Sena. The earth trembled due to the force with which the three chariots moved. Srichakra chariot has six charioteers who are capable of holding the reins effectively. They are: Ira Devi, Tripura Bhairavi, Samhara Bhairava, Raktayoginivallabha, Saarasa and Chamunda. Geya Chakra chariot has Hasantika Shyamala Devi as the charioteer. Kiri Chakra chariot has Stambhini as the charioteer.
The Srichakra chariot has a height of ten Yojanas. Geya Chakra and Kiri Chakra are respectively seven and six yojanas in height. Only Srichakra chariot has a beautiful umbrella of pearls, which has a breadth of ten Yojanas. The other two chariots have ordinary umbrellas only. This umbrella of pearls is the symbol of royalty for the great kingdom of Shaktis. Thus, Sri Lalita Parameshwari, the supreme queen of all the Shaktis, proceeded to the battlefield to destroy the army of Bhandasura
Day One of the War-
The uproar of the Shakti Sena caused disturbance in the minds of the residents of the Shoonyaka pattana, the capital city of Bhandasura. They observed many bad omens. Observing this, the residents all flocked to Bhandasura.
Seated on a magnificent throne, Bhandasura served by his brothers, Vishukra and Vishanga called a council of all demons and discussed on how to tackle the emerging war. The demons advised Bhandasura that, even though a docile woman is proceeding for the war with them, they should never understimate the enemy and should deal with her with due attention. However, Bhandasura ridiculed Sri Lalita Devi and thought that she was delicate and powerless. He was of the opinion that a war would hold good only if its between two equals and so they shouldn't fear.
He ordered his commanders to station the army around the city, defeat Lalita Devi and drag her by her hair to his court. However, the great uproar of the Shakti Sena, caused distress to the demons' army.
Kutilaksha, the commander-in-chief of Bhandasura's army sent a demon named Durmada along with ten Akshauhinis of army to fight with Sridevi. Sounding war drums, Durmada approached Lalita Devi as if he would burn the three worlds. As per Bhandasura's orders, Kutilaksha made arrangements for the protection of the city of Shoonyaka.
He stationed a demon named Talajangha at the eastern entrance of the city,Talabhuja at the southern entrance, Talagriva at the western entrance and Talaketu at the northern entrance. An army of Ten Akshauhinis supported each of them. He also positioned ten Akshauhinis of army around the fort in a circular fashion. He thus stationed fifty Akshauhinis of army for the protection of the city and elaborated the
details to Bhandasura.
The Battle between Durmada and Sampatkari Devi
In the battlefield, seeing the attack of ten Akshauhinis of army under the leadership of Durmada, Sri
Sampatkari Devi jumped into the battlefield. The Shaktis started killing the demons on a massive scale and the battlefield was filled with the blood of the demons.
Unable to bear the blows of Sampatkari and her Shaktis, the demons began to scream “O I was hit! I am fainting!” etc. Durmada consoled his men and began to lead them back to the battlefield, riding on a camel. The camel that he was riding had a long neck and it rushed forward very quickly. Rejuvenated by this, the demons, holding weapons that resembled hissing snakes, followed Durmada. Durmada showered weapons on the Shakti Sena. It seemed as though the army of Shaktis was immobilized for a moment by this attack. However, Sampatkari herself decided to fight with Durmada and entered the scene riding on her elephant Ranakolahala. Sampatkari and Durmada began to fight one-to-one with each other Durmada struck an arrow at Sri Sampatkari Devi and was able to destroy one gem from her crown. Greatly annoyed, Sri Sampatkari Devi shot several arrows at him, which pierced his heart and killed him. The Shakti Sena began to make sounds of rejoice and began to slaughter the remaining demons. Unable to bear the strength of the Shaktis, the remaining demons fled back to their city of Shoonyaka.
The Slaying of Kurunda by Ashwaaroodha Devi
Hearing the news of Durmada's death, Bhandasura was extremely angry. He commanded another demon named Kurunda to leave for the battlefield and bring to him "the helpless ,wicked woman dragging her hair". Kurunda, the elder brother of Durmada, left for the battlefield with twenty
Akshauhinis of army. He was an expert in creating illusions and magical warfare. He started encouraging his army to destroy the Shakti Sena. To get rid of him, Sri Sampatkari rushed forward with her army. At that moment, Ashwaaroodhaa Devi came forward with great enthusiasm and requested to be given a chance to fight Kurunda. Sampatkari acknowledged the request with a smile and moved back with her army. Along with Sri Ashwaaroodhaa Devi, innumerable Shaktis, riding on speedy horses, rushed forward to fight with the demons.
As the Shaktis began to fight with the demons, Ashwaaroodhaa Devi started chasing Kurunda on her horse named Aparajita. She had long plaited hair and seemed like the beautiful Autumn moon . Holding a bow decorated with precious gems, she stared shooting arrows at Kurunda. These arrows covered him in all the directions.
Angry with her, Kurunda also stared shooting arrows at Sri Ashwaaroodhaa Devi. Aparajita, the powerful horse, started killing many demons by striking them with its hooves. It made terrible sounds that resulted in the fainting of several segments of Kurunda's army.
Sri Ashwaaroodhaa Devi used her Pasha on the army of demons. From her pasha, several fiery Pashas, resembling snakes emerged. They bound the army of demons and made them unconscious. Kurunda became wild at this and with a single arrow, destroyed the bow of Sri Ashwaaroodhaa Devi. Filled with anger, she used her Ankusha on his heart. That mighty weapon drained all his blood and killed him.
He collapsed to the ground like a tree stuck with Indra's Vajra. Many Putanas (a class of beings like the Dakinis who drink blood and eat flesh of corpses on the battleground) emerged from the Ankusha and began to swallow the unconscious demons. After their job was done, they vanished.
After the death of Kurunda, the leader of twenty Akshauhinis of army, the remaining demons fled back to their city. When this news reached Bhandasura, he sighed like a snake.
The battle between the Five Commanders and Sri Nakuleshwari Devi
After the death of Kurunda, Bhandasura ordered Kutilaksha to send their five chief commanders with 500 Akshauhinis of army.
Karanka and the other commanders created a great magical serpent called 'Ranashambari'. She had a smoke-colored body and a large belly that resembled a deep ocean. The serpent started walking around in the battlefield causing terror to the Shaktis.
Encouraged by the five commanders, she started creating innumerable snakes from her body.
All the snakes were spitting deadly poison at the Shaktis. They were biting the Shaktis and burning them with poisonous flames. They were also binding them and thrashing them. The Shaktis were killing hundreds of snakes continuously. But by the time they killed one snake, countless new snakes would have already taken birth from Ranashambari.
Since she was alive, there was no end to the birth of snakes. Greatly tormented by these snakes, the Shakti Sena became directionless.
Taking advantage of this situation, Karanka and the other commanders began to show their valor. Karanka was seated on a chariot driven by hundred donkeys. He began to shoot arrows at the Shakti Sena continuously. Kakavasita, riding on a elephant, began to use a discus on the Shaktis.Vajradanta, seated on a huge camel, began to shoot diamond-arrows at the Shakti Sena.Vajramukha, seated in a large chariot, began to hit the Shaktis with a barbed dart.Vajraloma, seated on a chariot driven by two vulures, shot arrows at the Shaktis. As per the orders of the five commanders, the hundred Akshauhini army jumped on the Shaktis, all at once. The serpent sorceress continued creating crores of snakes every second.
Seeing the perturbed Shakti Sena, Sri Nakuleswari, mounted on a Garuda, jumped into the battlefield.
Sri Nakuleswari, who originated from the palate of Sri Lalita Parameshwari, has a golden complexion. She is the very personification of the entire Vangmaya (speech or knowledge).
She drove her army towards the demons. Her vehicle Garuda had huge shoulders and when he moved, it seemed as though Mount Sumeru was in motion. Seeing the snakes generated by Sarpini, she angrily opened her mouth wide. From her thirty-two teeth, thirty-two crore mongooses took birth. They all had bodies with golden complexion. They stared moving about in the battlefield and began to bite the snakes into pieces.
Seeing the death of all her snakes, Sarpini began to fight with Nakuleswari angrily. Sri Nakuleswari shot Sarpini with Garudastra. This blazing weapon entered the serpent's body and dried up all her magical powers. Once she lost her powers, she was destroyed.
The five commanders were filled with anger because Nakuleswari had destroyed the magical serpent.
They began to shower arrows on her and to kill the mongooses. The mongooses bit the ears, noses and the rear parts of the demons.
Seeing this, Karanka began to fight with increased vigor. He began to attack the army of mongooses with sharp arrows. The five commanders shot fiery arrows at the mongooses. With wounded bodies, the mongooses assembled around Sri Nakuleswari.
Then Sri Nakuli Saraswati shot a great arrow called 'Akshina Nakula'. From this arrow, crores of mongooses with diamond-like bodies, hair and teeth emerged. They had diamond-like strong tails and nails. With the exception of the five commanders, the mongooses destroyed the entire army of hundred Akshauhinis. Filled with both fear and anger, they fought ferociously with Nakuleswari. She ascended her vehicle Garuda and flying over the demons, chopped off Karanka's head with Pattasa. She also chopped off the heads of the other four commanders with her sword.
Seeing the heroism of Nakuleswari, Sri Rajashyamala Devi was extremely pleased. She granted the prestigious status of being her 'Anga Devata' to Sri Nakuleswari. The few remaining demons fled
back to Shoonyaka and reported the news of their defeat to Bhandasura.
The battle between the seven sons of Keekasaa and Sri Tiraskarini Devi
The sons of Keekasaa, seven in number, named : Balahaka, Suchimukha, Phalamukha, Vikarna, Vikatanana, Karalaksha and Karataka, took permission from Bhandasura and left for the battle field along with an army of 300 Akshauhini. They had obtained a boon from Lord Surya, as a result of which, they could get the power of the sun to enter their eyes when they desired. As a result of this, the Shakti Sena was blinded by the power of the sun in the commanders' eyes and starting facing the onslaught.
Seeing this, Sri Tiraskarini Devi, the body guard of Sri Varahi mounted a plane named "Tamolipta", aimed an arrow named "Andhaka" at these demons and blinded them. As a result, the Shakti Sena regained their valour and fought the demons' army inspired by the Shaktis, she approached Balahaka and chopped off his head with her sword. After chopping off the wings of his vulture, she chopped off the head of Suchimukha with Pattasa. She also killed the other five commanders with sharp arrows. She made a garland of their heads and wore it around her neck. She began to dance in ecstasy in the battlefield.
The Shakti Sena destroyed the demons in no time. The remaining demons fled back to their city, screaming loudly.
With this blow Bhandasura lost his senses. He called upon his two brothers for a discussion.
The battle between Bhandasura's Brothers and the Shakti Sena
In the war council it was decided that Vishanga would attack Devi’s army from its rear in a treacherous way . This decision was taken because they got information from their spies that Lalita devi that there were less members of the army at the rear end and it was easier for them to approach Lalita devi directly and attack her.
At dusk, Vishanga with a small army proceeded to the rear of Lalita devi’s army noiselessly without any drums. By then Lalita devi’s army was moving westward. Vishanga along with his army moved north wards and then turned to reach eastern side.
He was able to see Srichakraraja chariot very near to him. Lalita devi was looking towards the front observing the movement of the Shakti Sena. Taking this opportunity Vishanga attacked devi’s chariot from the rear, all of a sudden.
Anima and the other goddesses who were present in the landings of the Sri Chakra Ratha were taken aback at this sudden attack but quickly recovered themselves and prepared for a counter fight. Exactly at the same time Kutilaksha along with ten akshauhini army attacked from the front side
Struck by an arrow from Vishanga, the fan present in Lalita devi’s hand fell down and broke. Seeing this Tithinitya devatas got very angry. They went and requested Lalita devi that Vahnivasini and Jwalamalini ( who were part of the tithi nitya devas )who can self-illuminate, if they could glow so that the demons who are in the dark will all become visible.
With the permission of Lalita devi, Vahnivasini and Jwalamalini devis started glowing like fireballs. All the demons who were hiding in darkness now became visible. Now the 16 nitya devi’s became outrageous and attacked Vishanga’s army. All the commanders in the Vishanga's army died.
Wounded all over the body Vishanga fled for his life shamelessly. Even Kutilaksha who attacked from the front also fled.
Lalita sahasranama says:- nityaa paraakrama atopa nireekshana samathsukha
Mantrini Devi and Dandanatha (Varahi) Devi felt unhappy about this unprecedented attack in the night They felt very sorry that their arrangements for protection failed.
Day Two of the war-
Agni Prakara- The Compound wall of fire
At the instance of Lalita devi,Jwalamalini devi made a compound wall of fire around the Shakti Sena. The fire wall was 100 yojana wide and 30 yojana tall. (1 yojana is approximately equal to 8 miles).
At the southern end of fire wall was a 1 yojana wide entry, to enable the Shakti Sena to go out and fight because Shoonyaka Pattanam faced this end.
Lalita sahasranama says—jwaalaamaalini kaakshipta vahnipraakaara madhyagaa
Stambhini devi, who was a part of the army of Sri Varahi, along with 20 akshauhini Sena protected this entry point. Hence she was also called Vighna devi. By then it was dawn.
Knowing all this, Bhandasura was in despair and started planning his next course of action
Now he sent all his 30 sons to the warfield. After listening to this news Lalita devi’s daughter, Bala Parameshwari wanted to fight these demons herself.
Bala, the daughter of Sri Lalita ,resembled Lalita devi thoroughly but was always 9 years old .She stays permanently with her mother .
Bala Parameshwari, approached her mother and requested for permission to fight in the battlefield. At the outset Lalita devi denied but looking at the courage and will power exhibited by Bala ,she ultimately gave permission.
Seeing Bala march, Mantrini and Dandanayaka were astonished , and they stood as her body guards.
Now Bala fought ferociously with Bhanda’s sons. Bala Parameshwari fought for the entire second day of the war. That evening she shot 30 arrows at a time and killed the 30 sons of Bhanda.
Sri Lalita devi was very happy at this display of valour and she embraced her daughter
Lalita sahasranama says--- Bhandaputra vadhodyukta baalaa vikrama nandita
Bhanda was grief stricken. Desperately he himself started off for the war.
Vighnayantra Nashanam (Destruction of the mystic symbol of obstacles)
Now Bhanda sent Vishukra to the warfront.In the darkness, Vishukra approached the Vahniprakara (firewall) and on a flat stone, drew a mystic symbol and performed on it, black magic.
He then threw that mystic symbol with a lot of force It penetrated the firewall . Because of the yantra, laziness crept into the minds of the Shakti Sena. Some started arguing that war itself was wrong., while some forgot the purpose of the battle . Some started questioning the supremacy of Sri Lalita and wondered if they can decline to fight with her. All of them fell into a deep sleep of ingnorance
After midnight Vishukra along with 30 akshohini sena surrounded the fire wall. Even then, none of the Shakti Sena moved under the influence of the ignorance caused by the Vighna yantra.
However, Mantrini and Dandanatha were not affected by the Vighnayantra .Worried about the sad state of the Shakti Sena, they consulted Sri Lalita on what needed to be done
Sri Lalita devi looked at her consort, Kameshwara’s face and passed a gentle smile.From her smile Ganapathi took birth.He immediately ordered a search in the firewall and noticed the ‘Vighnayantra Shila’ . He broke the Shila into powder with his tooth.
Lalita Sahasra Nama says-kaameshwaramukhaaloka kalpita sri ganeshwara
Mahaaganesha nirbhinna vighnayantra praharshita
With that , the Shakti Sena’s ignorance and sleep was dispelled, and they immediately got ready for the war. Now Vighneshwara along with this army came out of the fire barrier and fought with Vishukra.
Vishukra sent Gajasura to attack him but soon Gajasura was slayed. Seeing this Vishukra ran away.
The Third day of the War
Annihilation of Vishukra and Vishanga
After discussing with Bhandasura, Vishukra came back to war, along with his brother Vishanga and son- in –law.
Mantrini and Dandanatha both fought simultaneously. In the front of the army was Dandanatha devi mounted on her kirichakra ratha with her plough (halaayudha) . Behind her was Mantrini devi mounted on Geyachakra ratha with bow and arrows.
Dandanatha devi attacked Vishunga. Mantrini devi confronted Vishukra. Ashwarudha, Sampatkari and others attacked the son- in-law of the demons who had come . The army of the demons started slackening. Noticing this Vishukra discharged Trushnaastram( a weapon which produces thirst). The Shakti Sena experienced intense thirst at one.Then Dandanatha drew the god named,Madyasamudra’(=ocean of liquor) from her Kirichakra and quenched their thirst.
The Madyasamudra deva showered liquor rains. With that, the army quenched their thirst and rejuvenated.
By sunset most of the demons including Bhanda’s son-in-law were killed. Shyamala devi (Mantrini) fought with Vishukra and killed him with ‘Brahmashironamakastra’ (a powerful weapon named Brahmashira). Dandanatha devi (Potrini) killed Vishanga with her plough and pestle.
However in Lalita sahasranama it is mentioned that Vishukra was killed by Varahi
and Vishanga was killed by Mantrini—
Mantrinyambaa virachita vishanga vadha toshita
Vishukra praana harana vaaraahi veerya nandita
By then it was past midnight.
The Slaying of Bhandasura
Only Kutilaksha was left over to console Bhandasura. Bhanda along with Kutilaksha started towards the battlefield. 2185 akshauhini of army along with 40 commanders followed him. He boarded a chariot named ‘Aabhilamu’(meaning, dreadful).It was dragged by 1000 lions B).He held the sword named Yatana (meaning, torture in hell)
Noticing this Lalita devi mounted on the Srichakra Raja ratha, moved towards the warfront. Behind her was Mantrini in Geyachakra ratha, followed by Potrini in kirichakra ratha.Other shaktis followed her in crores.
In the usage of sastra’s (mystic weapons) and pratyastra (corresponding neutralising weapons), both sides were equal
Bhandaa surendra nirmukta shastra- pratyastra varshini
Now Bandasura by his mystical powers regenerated Madhu-kaitabha, Mahishasura, Raktabija,Chanda-Munda, Shumbha and Nishumbha. Then Lalita devi made a violent frenzied laughter –Chandika Parameshwari and other deities who earlier slayed these demons were reborn and slayed them again.
Now Bhanda generated Somaka and other demons. Lalita devi now generated the 10 incarnations of Vishnu from the finger tips of her hands
Karaanguli nakhotpanna naarayana dasakruti:
The Sun was about to set. Lalita devi decided not to delay any more. She then discharged Narayanastra and Pashupata astra and destroyed the demons and their commanders . They were all turned down into ashes
Mahaapaashupataastraagni nirdagdhaasura sainyaka
Now Bhandasura was the only asura left. Lalita devi discharged the Mahakameshawarastra and annihilated Bhandasura .Immediately the shoonyaka town got burnt down.
Kameshwaraastra nirdagdha sabhandasura shoonyaka
The Gods were overjoyed, they proclaimed the victory of Sri Lalita on the drums . They showered flowers,lighted camphor blazes and shouted victory.
Brahmopendra Mahendraadi deva samstuta vaibhavaa
Bibliography: Advaita Brahmavidya Pratishthana, Bangalore - Copy Right
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