Tripura Sundari, also called Shodashi, Lalita (lit. "She Who Plays"[1]) and Rajarajeshvari, is one of the group of ten goddesses of Hindu belief, collectively called mahavidyas. The other nine mahavidyas are Kali, Tara, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamalatmika.
The goddess Tripura Sundari in her aspect as Shodasi is represented as a sixteen-year-old girl, and is believed to embody sixteen types of desire. The Shodasi Tantra, a treatise on the Tantra, describes Tripura Sundari as "the radiant light in the eyes of Shiva". She is described as being of dusky color, and is depicted in an intimate position with an aspect of Shiva. The couple are shown on a bed, a throne, or a pedestal resting on the significant male gods of Hinduism like Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, and Indra.
The Indian state of Tripura derives its name from the goddess Tripura Sundari. Her main temple, the Tripura Sundari temple is also located on top of the hills near Radhakishorepur village, a little distance away from Udaipur town. Kashmiri Pandits have a collection of five ancient hymns, collectively known as Panchastavi [1], that were composed ages ago in praise of Tripura Sundari. These ancient hymns still remain very popular among this community.
Tripura sundari or Lalita , is the goddess associated with Sri Vidya. The panchadashakshari mantra is the most guarded secrets of Sri Vidya, Usually a Guru gives it to the highly deserving disciple. As it is said in Lalita sahasranama, 'Na shathaya na dushtaya na vishwasaya karhichith sri mathra bhakti yuktaya sri vidya raja vediney' means, that this divine knowledge or vidya should not be taught or given to a person who is wicked, depraved or unfaithful. It should only be taught to a deserving person as this is the King of all Vidyas. Lalita holds five flowery arrows, noose, goad and bow. The noose represents attachment, the goad represents repulsion, the sugarcane bow represents the mind and the flowery arrows are the five sense objects.
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Etymology
'Tripura' means 'the three worlds' ( Svarloka, Bhuloka, and Patala). 'Sundari' means 'most attractive' or 'most beautiful'. Therefore, her name means 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the Three Worlds'. A more esoteric interpretation is that she is called Tripuraa (meaning, 'The Three Ancients', rather than Tripura, 'The Three Worlds') because her body is said to be made up of the collective Shaktis of Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra ( Brahmani, Vaishnavi, and Rudrani, respectively).
References in Hindu literature
Tripura Sundari is described in great detail as extremely attractive and beautiful.
The Lalitha Sahasranama details her charms from head to foot, and describes her as a mother to all beings in the World. It also has sections that describe her as extremely merciful and leads a devotee to liberation. The Tripura Sundari Ashtakam by Adi Shankaracharya describes her as a Mother wearing a blue and red-spotted dress and holding a pot of honey.
Tripurasundari combines in her being Kali's determination and Durga’s charm, grace, and complexion. She has a third eye on her forehead. Usually four-armed and clad in red, the richly bejeweled Tripurasundari sits on a lotus seat laid on a golden throne. She carries in her hands various attributes associated with Shiva. An aura of royalty characterizes her overall bearing and ambiance.
See also
Further reading
- Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions (ISBN 81-208-0379-5) by David Kinsley
References
- ^ Frawley, David: "Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses", page 89. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, reprint 2005
- Kinsley, David (1997). Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahavidyas. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-0520204997.
External links
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