VishwakaarananetraadhyaamMahaTripuraSundareem, Bandhakaasurasamhatrim Kaamaashim taamaham bhajey/
(My sincere supplications to Maha Tripura Sundari Kamakshi who has the benign and bright eyes that caused the entire Creation of the Universe and its contents and terminated Bandhakasura effortlessly, stated Maharshi and continued his narration of Kamakshi Vilaasa to King Suratha).
Atha tatra Nripa Sreshtha Kamakoshti dharaataley, Gayatrimandapey tatra Bila peethaasaney Shubhye/
Gayatyonkaara koney saa Kamamaakshi vartatey sadaa, Adi Shakti Swayam vyaktaa Sarva Vipasya kaaranam/
Padmaasaney Nishpaapaa saa Kamapeetha Nivaasini, Chaturbhujaa Trinayanaa Mahaa TriputaSundari/
Mula Shaktir Brahma Vidyaa chaadi Lakshmiriti Shrutaa, Atma Shaktir Jagaddhaatri Rajiva sadyashaprabhaa/
Ardhendu Shekharaa Divya Kirita parimanditaa, Paashaankushokshu Kodanda Pancha Baana Lasatkaraa/
Tapanodupa taatankaa Meena Kundala Dhaarini, Divya Shringaara Veshaadhyaa Divyaabharana bhushitaa/
Raktaambara dhara Rakta Raajiva Vara maalini, Soubhaagyaabharanopetaa Divya Mangalya dhaarini/
Rajarajeshwari Raamaa Mani manjeera raajitaa, Shri Chakra Nagaraadheeshaa Shri Vidyaa Parameshvari/
Shankaraadhitokaaraa Shankaraatma Swarupini, Shaarira Kalaadheeshaa Sarva Tatwa Swarupini/
Praanini Vishya Bhutaashyaa Kaala Chakra Swarupini, Shri Kaanchi Naaraadheeshaa Kaanchitaartha Pradaayani/
Sachaaara RamaaVaani Savya dakshina sevitaa, Kaamakoteeti Vikhyaataa Kaamaakshi Divya Mangalaa/
Sadaa Shiva Murtinaam Gouryaadeenaam cha Kaaranam, Janani Chutalingasya Chuta Beejaartha Rupini/
Shivaadhikaa Shivaangasyaa Shiva Murtirisshivan- kari, Mahaa Kaamesha Mahishi Mahaa Tripura Sundari/
Puraa hitaaa Devaanaam Bandhakaaraasuramardini, Tadaham Sampravakshyaami Puraavritam Charitrakam/
Tasya shravana maatrena Sarva Paapaih pramuchyatey/
(Devi Kamakshi is seated in Padmaasana in the Omkara Kona of Gayatri as Bila Peethaasana on the Gayatri Mantapa in the Kama Koshta. She is Visha Vyapaka; Adi Shakti, Swayam Vyakta Swarupini ot Self Generated; Jagajjanani, Chaturbhuja, Trinayana, Mula Shakti, Brahma Vidya, Adi Lakshmi, Atma Shakti, Jagaddhaatri or the Grip of the Universe, Lustrous like Lotuses, Arthendu Shekara or with half- Moon retained head; adorned with a Celestial Kireeta or Headgear; ‘Paashankushekshu Kodanda Pushpa baana bhraajamaana Karaambujaa’ or with the bright lotus-like hands carrying Noose- Goad-Sugar cane like bow and Flower arrows; TatankaYugali bhuta tapanodupa mandalaa or wearing ear-rings like Surya and Chandra having cosmic relevance; Divya bhushana bhushita or adorned with celestial ornaments; Divya Shringaara vesha or donning such a dress that enhances love; wearing blood red and bright clothing; Rakta Raajeeva Maalaalankrita or decorated with the garlands of red lotuses; Sowbhagya Vardhanaabharanopeta or bedecked with such jewellery that augments auspiciousness; Divya Mangala Sutra Dharini or festooned with Mangala Sutra the Symbol Married Life of Prakriti and Purusha; Gunjaana mani manjeera viraajita or possessive of graceful feet softly tied up with tiny jingling bells; Shri Raja Rajeswari; Shri Chakra Nagaraadheeshwari or the Empress of Shri Chakra Nagara, Shri Vidyaa Parameshwari, Shivaadhaarita, Jeevakalaadheesha, Sara Tatwa Swarupini, Praana Rupini, Sarva Bhutaantasthita or the Antaraatma of all Beings; Kaala Chakraatmika or the Supreme Shakti that revolves the Time Cycle; Shri Kaanchipura Raagjni; Kaankshitartha Pradaayani or the Bestower of the Required Desires of devotees; Sachaamara Ramaa Vaani Savya Dakshina Sevitaa or Server of Chaamara by Lakshmi and Vani on both the Sides; Kamakotinaamapradhita or Popularly celebrated as Kamakoti; Divya Mangala Vigraha; Kaamaakshi or Possessive of Eyes that bestow fulfilment of all righte-minded desires; The Cause of Causes of Sada Shivaadi Murtis and of Devi Gauri; The Cause of Ekaamra Linga’s very materialisation, The Swarupa of the ‘Beeja’ or the Seed of the Sacred Mango Tree; Shiavadhika; Shivaanka viraajita or She who shines on Shiva’s bosom; Shiva Murti, Shivankari, Mahaa Kamesha Mahishi, Mahja Tripura Sundari, and Bandhakaasura Samharini the Story of which would be naraated by me instantly said Maharshi Markandeya to the King Surata.)
As instructed by Shiva, all the Devas who took to the Form of Shukaas (Parrots) at Kama Koshta on the Champaka Tree were sincerely praying to Devi Kamakshi as Kanya for several years as the latter was in the Maha Bila. Kamakshi then decided to help Devas who were thrown out of their legitimate Place of Swarga and at the same time released her subdued rage against Bandhaka. She emerged out from the Maha Bila assuming a Sagunaatmika Tri Shakti who first uttered the word ‘KA’ and created Brahma from her left Eye, uttered the second word ‘AA’from her right Eye and then the third word ‘MA’ and generated Maha Deva from her Phaala Netra or the third eye on the forehead. She then named the Sishurupa (infant form) Brahma and fed him with ‘Srishti Vidyaatmaka’ Ksheera; Vishnu with Shiti Vidyaatmika Ksheera and Maha Deva with Laya Vidyatmika Ksheera. The infants eventually grew up as youths and wondered what happened about the Universe! Brahma then created ‘Charachaaras’ or the Moving and Immovable Beings and Vishnu and Shiva continued performing their respective duties. Then the entire Scenario looked like a dream as Devas were in the form of parrots on the Champaka Tree and the re-created Bandhakaasura became visible. The Kanyaka Devi who as Maha Tripura Sundari became furious at the sight of the Asura and assuned a Mammoth Form of ‘Ashtaadasha Bhuja’ or of Eighteen-Hands with Chakra and other Ayudhas and in the presence of the Tri Murtis and Devas placed one foot of hers on the Asura’s heart, another foot on his neck and trampled him while holding his head with two of her hands and smashed him to death in a second, searched his sons and relatives meticulously and killed them all, dragged the Asura’s huge body into the Kamakoshtha Bila as an innocent and girlish Bala with a graceful and fully ornamented Swarupa. Devas discarded their Shuka Swarupas and celebrated Devi’s victory as they rained flowers from the Skies, Gandharva-Kinnaras sang tuneful melodies, Apsaraas performed attractive and graceful dances and Munis recited Veda Mantras and the highly delighted went in trances as they were under suppresion for countless years of shameful existence. In the midst of this festive atmosphere, the Kanyaka Devi announced that in the Maha Bila itself the huge body of the Asura would be buried and a ‘Vijaya Sthambha’ (Pillar of Victory) would be installed. Inside the Bila there was a Temple materialised with a Divya Simhasana or a Celestial Throne. The Bila Vasini was then installed in the centre of a ‘Navaavarana’ or Nine-Enclosured Area as ‘Shadaadhara’or supported by six hinges; ‘Shatchakra Sancharini’or the Moving Shakti of Six Chakras (Circles); ‘Shatdarshana Pratipaadya’or of Six sided Visions; and ‘Shada -amnaaya Samaaraadhyaa’ or worshippable by Six Amnaayas or ‘Krama’ or order of Seriatim. The Para Devata was then invited and devotees commenced worship by reciting Omkaara Veda Mantras with‘Abhisheka’ of waters of Ganga and other sacred Tirthas; coconut water; Go Ksheera-Dadhi- Ghrita-Madhu-Shuddhodakaas or of Cow’s milk, curd, Ghee, honey and Pure Waters respectively; followed by Pancha Puja with Pushpa-Kumkumaakshata-Dhupa-Deepa-Naivedya of Panchamrita- Bhakshya Bhojyaadi Shad -rasopetaanna-Karpura Taambulas. Then Bali Daanaas with the observance of Silence and highly concentrated Dhyaana and Japaas should be followed.
Over night when the doors were opened Devi was present as Bimba Rupini Tripuraambika and the entire Area of the Bilwa was occupied as a Chaurveda Vedika, trifurcated the Vedika with Gayatri Mantra of Om Bhuh tatsavitunenyam-Om Bhuvah Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi-Ogum Suvah dhiyo yonah prachodayaat as three Pillared partitions; and prepared Varna Traya Pranava of Aa+Vu+M as the Peetha and thus materialised a Gayatri Mandapa. Then as instructed by Kanyaka Devi herself she was worshipped from mid-night onward to Sun Rise. In the morning of that Shri Mukha Samvatsara-Phalgunma Maasa-Krishna Paksha-Pratipattithi-Shukra vaara-Arunodaya-Purva-phalguni Nakshatra when Surya was in Kumbha Raasi, the Kanyaka Devi then finally manifested herself as Maha Tripura Sundari.
As Devas who worshipped her as Kanyaka Devi and wondered who that new manifestation was and Devi explained that she assumed the Tripura Sundari’s Form at the time of terminating the Asura and returned to Kanya Rupa later but now she resumed the new Avatara as Tripura Sundari ; she defined her name as K akaara- A kaaraa- M akaara’ or Kamakshi again. She assured that from then onward she would discard the Maha Bila and reside at the Gayatri Mandapa for good permanently. Then Vipraas recited Stotras continuously and worships followed without break eversince. Deva Shilpi Vishwa karma gifted her a box named ‘Kuntala’ as a Souvenir; Brahma presented a pearl lace and golden Chhatra; Vishnu offered a Nava Ratna Kireeta and Shiva a ‘Shri Chakra Pataka’.That Evening Devi was taken in a Memorable Procession.
Devi Kamakshi assured that she would spend as much time in Kanchipura as she would in the Chintaamani Griha at Mani Dweepa and that as Kamakshi would continue in the Shripura at Kanchi. Maha Deva announced that those who would venerate Kamakshi on her ‘Avirbhaava Dina’ at Kanchi would secure Koti Yagjna Phala.
Shiva again reappeared as Durvasa Maharshi along with Koushika Putra Goutama Maharshi and Bharadwaja Putra Kundini Kumara and appointed them as the ‘Archakas’and instruted to them about in Nitya Pujaa Vidhana; he declared that in Krita Yuga he would appear as Durvasa; in TretaYuga as Bhargava; in Dwapara Yuga as Dhoumya and in Kali Yuga as Muka Muni; Maha Deva further stated that in Krita Yuga he himself would script Dwi-Sahasra naamaavali in praise of Kamakshi; in Treata Yuga Panchashataadhika Sahasranaamaas; in Dwapara Yuga Sahasra Shlokas and in KaliYuga Pancha Shata shlokaas. Then onward Kanchi Kamakshi Pujas had been executed eversince as stated by Maharshi Markandeya to King Surata.
Among the crores of Devotees who visited and worshipped Kamakshi Devi, there was a poor Brahmana, a Krishna Yajurvedi, named Jayadeva who was able to visit Kanchi from a Place on the banks of River Godavari with great difficulty. After his darshana of Kamakshi Devi he returned to his ‘Kutira’or a very modest abode which got converted as a big Building with all comforts and luxuries. Any visitor to Kamakshi Temple in Kanchi and worship the Devi most faithfully and bhakti would thus achieve multiplied benefits in several ways and means that one could not even imagine! Whoso ever reads or hears the contents of the above Adhyaaya even casually would certainy secure her Darshan soon!
