My sincere apologies for this late post on the third day of Navaratri – the day hasn’t been that kind to me because I was down with major exhaustion and now running a temperature out of a sudden. The weather out here in Singapore is real unpredictable so please take care of yourselves, rest well and drink more water.
While I was conducting research on the third Mahavidya, it funnily reminded me of Kamal Hassan berating Urvashi in the popular 1990 comedy film Michael Madhana Kama Rajan, where he quickly draws assumption that she had been stealing. He then exasperatedly proceeds to say “nee Tripura Sundari ille, thiruttu Sundari” after asking her name, claiming that “you’re not Tripura Sundari but a thieving Sundari instead” – that Tamil word play was a memorable one lodged in many of our minds even until this date and made me double up with laughter while I was trying hard to be serious earlier. I am pretty sure a handful of us might have thought of the same when we chanced upon this Mahavidya but let’s get back to business.
Tripura Sundari in this context, is not a dainty Brahmin girl who tries to prevent her shrewd grandmother from stealing at homes, but in fact known as the most commanding Mahavidya. Tripura, means three cities, and Sundari means beauty; hence she is revered as the beauty of three cities. However, many scholars have also drove a point down, explaining that three cities also refers to the three worlds – Tripura Sundari, the one whose beauty ascends the three worlds.
Tripura Sundari transcends as being the most beautiful and potent form of Adi Shakti. Her form itself draws many such observations and representations of the Cosmic Mother.
Shiva is seen to be lying down across a throne, while Tripura Sundari sits on him. In certain other depictions, she is seen to be sitting on a lotus that blooms out from Shiva’s navel instead. The symbolic representation of masculine support and feminine independence is established as equal once more.
The four legs of the throne are represented by Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Maheshwara. Rudra and Maheshwara, one may argue, are forms of Shiva but each of them hold a significant contribution.
Brahma, the Creator,
Vishnu, the Preserver,
Rudra, the form of Shiva that denotes being the Destroyer and,
Maheshwara, the divine power of seclusion.
By sitting on a throne that is held by all four of them, Tripura Sundari exhibits the highest form of Adi Shakti, explaining that Tripura Sundari oversees the management of all three worlds – the four primordial gods of creation, preservation, destruction and concealment are her catalysts to carry these respective tasks out.
Legend has it that when Kama, the God of Love, attempted to shoot his cupid’s bow at Shiva while Shiva was undergoing a severe penance, was burned down by Shiva’s third eye for being a nuisance. From the ashes of poor Kama then appeared Bhandasura, who advocated for impotency – the direct opposite of the consequence of what Kama stood for. Like all his other power-hungry Asura comrades in mythology, Bhandasura received a boon from Brahma that he may be only defeated by a feminine power not born from a womb. (I have no idea how Kama might have angered this guy that he wants everyone else to be impotent).
Tripura Sundari took form from the highest power of Consciousness, Nirguna Para Brahmam, alongside her masculine counterpart Shiva as Kameshwara and finally redeemed the world from the terrible Bhandasura.
Another popular icon of Tripura Sundari is the Sri Chakra, a diagram of interlocking triangles that is revered as a sacred instrument representing her. The Sri Chakra can be seen at her feet, and is variedly used as a popular symbol of Hindu Tantra.
The power of Mahavidyas lie in the journey towards self-consciousness. In that journey, when obstacles are met and there are points when the fruition starts souring, Tripura Sundari’s presence teaches to see beauty in all. Awareness is inclusive of wanting to see beauty in everything that we achieve, and Tripura Sundari, the highest form of consciousness, is beauty herself.
With that being concluded, I just want to mention here that everyone of you reading this far are indeed beautiful. Is there another word for “thank you” to express my gratitude ?
Another day tomorrow, with the tale of another Mahavidya.
File photo : Exotic India.
