As Skanda Deva killed Tarakasura, the three sons of the latter viz. Vydyunmaali, Kamalaaksha and Tarakaksha were united and performed relentless Tapasya to Brahma seeking invincibility. As Brahma clarified that none among the Beings were immortal, they scaled down their wishes to the following: they would build three flying ‘Puraas’ or Cities which could move about freely in the World and individually none of the Nagaris could ever be destroyed but only in a group simultaneously. Indeed this was a peculiar boon that was asked by the Danava brothers, but Brahma agreed all the same. The famed Daitya Builder Mayasura created three Nagaris, viz. a Golden one in Swarga Loka for Tarakaksha, a Silver Nagari for Kamalaksha in Antariksha and a Loha Nagari in Bhuloka for Vidyunmala; all secured fortresses which were impregnable even by Devas and other celestial Beings, let alone others like Manavas. The Nagaris were luxurious with all the comforts of Swarga with Kalpataru Gardens in place and Pancha Bhutas of Earth-Water-Illumination-Air and Sky under control; Gandharvas and Kinnaras were at service with sonorous music and song while Apsaras were made to dance at command. The Tripurasuras harassed Devaganas and threw them out of Swarga and their respective abodes. They approached Bhagavan Vishnu who created innumerable Shaktis but the army of the Asuras destroyed the Shaktis; Vishnu realised that not only the Tarakaaksha and brothers but all the follower Daityas had the unique feature of Maheswara Linga worship as per prescribed procedure and thus became difficult to control by the Vishnu Senas. Vishnu then created a Mayaawi Purusha who quietly entered the Tripuras and having impressed the Daityas with his knowedge of Shastras and Siddhis misled them successfully to neglect ‘Shroutra Smartas’ and Shiv Linga Puja. They also left the Varnashtam Dharmas, belittled women which caused Lakshmi to gradually desert them and relapsed to Adharma. That was the opportune time for Vishnu to approach Maha Deva and prayed to him:
Maheswaraaya Devaaya Namastey Paramatmaney,
Naraayanaaya Sharvaaya Brahmaney Brahmarupiney/
Shaswataayahyanantaaya Avyaktaaya cha tey Namah/
Then Devas also joined Vishnu’s prayers and said:
Namah Sarvaatmaney tubhyam Shankaraayaatrihaariney,
Rudraaya Nila Rudraaya Kadrudraaya prachetasy/
Gatirnah Sarvadasmaabhirvandyo Devaari mardanah
twamaadistwa mananta – schaakshayah Prabhuh/
Prakiritih Purushaha Saakshaatsrashtaa Hartaa Jagadguro,
Traataa Netaa Jaatyasmindwijaanaam Dwija Vatsala/
Varado Vaangmayo Vaachyo Vaachya Vaachikavarjitah/
Yajyo muktyardhameeshaano Yogibhiryogavibhramaih/
Tadrutpundarika sushire yoginaam samsthitah sadaa,
Vadanti Surayah samtam param Brahmaswarupinam/
Bhavantam tatwamityaayarsteyjo taashim Paratparam,
Paramaatmaa namityaahurisma- jjagati tadvibho/
Drushtam hrutam sthitam Sarvey jaayamaanam Jagadguro,
Anoralpataram prahurmahatopi Mahattharam/
Sarvatah Paanipaadam twaam Sarvatokshishiromukham,
Sarvatah Shrutimallokey Sarvamaavrutya tishthasi/
Maha Devamanirdeshyam Sarvajnam twamanaamayam,
Vishwarupam Virupaaksham Sada Shivamanaamayam/
Koti Bhaskara samkaasham Kotiseetaamshu sinnibham
Kotikalaagnisankaasham Shadvimsha kamanee -shwaram/
Pravartakah Jagatyasmin Prakruteh prapitaamaham,
Vadanti Varadam Devam Sarvaavaasam Swayambhuvam/
Shtutayah Shrutisaaram twaam Shrutisaara vidojanaah/
Adrushtamasmaabhiraneka murtey vinaa krutam yadbhavataatha lokey,
Twameva Daityaan-sura bhutasanghaan Devaan Kinnaraan sthaavara jangamaascha/
Paahi naanyaa gatih Shambho Vinihatyaasurottamaan,
Mayayaa mohitaah Sarvey bhavatah Parameswara/
Yathaa tangaa lahari samuhaa yudhyantichaanyonyamapaam nidhowacha,
Jalaashrayaa Deva jadikrutaascha Suraasuraastadwadajasya sarvam/
Sutavuvaacha: Ya yidam praataru-tthhaaya shuchirbhutwaa japennarah,
shrunuyaadwaa stavam punyam sarvakaamava -apnuyaat/
(Namastey Maheswara, Deva, Paramatma, Naraayana, Sharva Brahma and Brahmarupa, Shaswata, Ananta, Avyakta! Our salutations Sarvatma, Shankara, Artihara, Rudra, Nila Rudra, Sarva Vandya, Prakriti, Purusha, Srashtaa or Creator, Harta or destroyer, Jagad Guru, Traata, Neta, Brahmana Vatsala, Varada, Vangmaya,Vaachya, Vaachikavarjita, Ishaana, Yogi,Yoga vibhrama, Pundarika, always surrounded by Yogis, Brahma Swarupa, Bhavanta, itya Teja, Paratpara, Paramatma, Jadguru who visions, hears, resides all over in the Universe; Sarva Paani-Paadam, Sarvatokshishiromukha, Maha Devaamanirdesha, Sarvatjna, Vishwarupa, Virupaaksha, Sada Shiva, Koti Bhaskara Sankaasha, Koti Sheenshu Sannibha, Koti Kalaa sankaasha, Fulfiller of Twenty Six Great Desires, Sarva Vaasa, Swayambhuva, Pravartaka, Jagat Swami, Prakriti’s Pataamaha, Vadanti, Varada, Sarva Vaasa, Swayambhu, Shruti Saara, Adrushta, Ekaaraneyka Murti, Sukshmaati Sukshma; You are the Sarva Swarupa representing Daityas-Devas-Bhuta-Kinnara-Sthaavara-Jangamaas. Shambho! We have no other place of refuge excepting you; the Universe is engulfed with Maya or Delusion; just as the huge waves of an Ocean gush to the shore and meekly get destroyed by striking it, Jalaashraya Deva; You are the Sarvam or the Infinite and the Eternal Truth! Suta Muni said: Any person on rising early morning and securing cleanliness from within and without recites the above Stotra by Vishnu and Devas to Parameswara would gain excellent results of Punya and fulfillment).
As Devas and Vishnu visioned ‘Trishulapaani Shankar’ relaxing with Devi Parvati and Mahatma Nandi, they saw that ‘Bhuta bhavishya Swami’whose eyes were red like ‘Agni kundas’and physique was shimmering with thousand Suns with a pleasant countenance ornamented with a Bala Purna Chandra. Having pleased Parama Shiva thus, Devas explained the gravity and seriousness of the crisis created by the Tripura Daityas who not only unseated and tormented Devas and Celestial Entities but were also sending shock-waves all over the Universe, humiliating Sages, frightening women and children, making mass-scale carnage and blood bath of humanity and uprooting Dharma and age-old Values and Principles. Parameshwara infused confidence into the demoralised Devas and asked them to construct an exceptional chariot with unique specifications: Prithvi as the Ratha / Chariot, Meru and Mandara Mountains as axles, Surya and Chandra as Chakras made of gold and silver respectively, the Four Vedas of Ruk-Yajur-Sama and Atharva acted as the horses; Shukra, Brihaspati, Budha, Mangal, and Shanaischara seated on the Ratha ready to charge; the famous serpents viz. Takshaka, Karkotaka, Dhanajaya and Padmadwaya acted as the strings which were tied to the horses; most poisonous snakes like Surasa, Devashuni, Sarama, Kadru, Vinata, Shuchi, Trusha, and Bubhuksha were used as arrows; Mrutyu, Brahmahatya, Gohatya, Balahatya and Prajaabhaya were loaded on the Chariot so that they get activised as maces; Omkara and Vashatkara were the symbols on the Ratha; Sinivali, Kuhu, Raaka and Anumati – the ‘Adhishtana’/ in charge Deities of Chaturdashi, Amavasya, Suddha Purnima, Pratipadika Purnima respectively were used as auxiliary strings to the horses; the dhanush made of six ‘ritus’/ seasons which is safeguarded by Devi Ambika herself never to be broken; the specific arrow with which to kill the Tripurasura was strengthened by Vishnu, Soma and Agni and its head propelled by Agni and Chandra by its rear and Vishnu Maya smeared all over; and the extreme poison of Nagaraja Vasuki was loaded to ensure stability and speed of the arrow; Vayu was made in charge of the high velocity of the Chariot and finally Brahma was the Charioteer and Sesha Naag was made in charge of the personal security of Brahma as also of the Chariot. Yama Raja with his buffalo, Kubera on his serpent, Indra on Iravata, Ganeswara by his Mushika Vahana, Karikeya on his Peacock, Nandeshwara with his Shula running behind and sides of the Ratha were in full preparedness. Maharshis Bhrigu, Bharadwaja, Vasishtha, Goutama, Kratu, Pulastya, Pulaha, Marichi, Atri, Angira, Parashara, and Agastya were there too at the kick-start of the Battle to recite Veda Vachanas and Shiv Stutis. The Pramatha ganas were ready to charge as the army against the opponents- all swarmed around the Rath. Meanwhile, Sage Narada reached the Tripuras and tried his best to mend his ways, give back Indrapuri to Devas and avoid the worst ever battle in which the indestructible Tripuras would be destroyed along with the Three Demons as Maha Deva himself was approaching these Places with full preparation. Instead of talking peace, the Demons alerted their vast armies, and prepared for turning their defensive positions to that of an offence. On the instruction of Shankara Deva, Indra took his enormous army and attacked Tripura. As the Deva Sena made a highly offensive assault in full force, what with the revenge and frustration experienced by them for long as they were out of power as also owing to the excellent backing of Maheswara, they seized the best part of Tripuras. While quite a few Danavas sought to escape for their lives through the exit gates of Tripuras, Pramatha ganas calculated that the enemies would try to sneek out at those points and buchered thousands of Danavas.The remaining Danavas inside the Trinagaris were utterly confused by contradictoy shouts that Taraka died or Shiva was defeated. In that melee, a srong contingent of Danavas quickly regrouped their men and material to make offensive attacks under the leadership of Vidunmali and Maya. Ganeswara divided Tripuras in three regions as Nandeswara was attacking Vudyunmali, while he was in position against Maya. Meanwhile, Vidyunmali threw a ‘Parigha’ on Nandi who was hurt and the enraged three ‘Parshadaganas’ named Ghantaakarna, Shankukarna and Mahakaal retaliated; they assumed the Forms of Ganeswara and assailed Vidyunmali by making the roars of lions. Even while the Parswaganas were about to leap on Vidyunmali, the hurt Nandikeswara hurled a Rudra Shakti on the demon who fell down like a mountain. There was utter silence among Danavas who were stunned and retreated. But, the highly cunning and crafty Mayasura chased the Ganas of Ganeshwara to divert attention of his own men from the fallen Vidyunmali to the Ganesha ganas. Mayasura created rains of Agni, crocodiles, snakes, huge mountains, lions, tigers, trees, black deers, eight-legged ‘Sharabhas’/ a species of oversized deer, torrential rain and powerful sand storms. As Taraka came into the battle field, Devas too appeared in full force, including Yamaraja, Varuna, Bhaskara, Kartikeya heading a Deva Sena of a Crore, with Indra, Shanaishchara, Chandra, and Rudras. The ‘Maayavi’ Mayaasura created several Wells full of herbal juices for envigoration and Danavas were in high spirits as their body strength increased manifold. But Keshava took the form of ‘Vrishabha’and drank up the juice along with Devas and dried up the wells and Devas occupied the Tripuras finally. Mayasura and other Daityas were forced to hide in the Sea. That was the decisive moment when there was an all-out battle on the seashores. Shankara divided the ‘Tridevamaya’ arrow into three parts and released it at the Pushya Yoga time when Tripuras were destroyed in one go. Devas then went ecsatic and the huge shouts of Victory to Maha Deva resounded across the Sky from where Gandharvas and Kinnaras sang hymns of praises, Apsaras danced and Maharshis recited Vedas and Shiva Stotras. Brahma praised Parama Shiva in a chorus as follows:
Praseeda Deva Devesha Praseeda Parameshwara,
Praseeda Jagataam Naatha praseedaanandadaavyaya/
Panchaasya Rudra Rudraaya Panchaasatkoti Murtaye ,
Atmatrayopavishtaaya Vidyaa tatwaaya tey namah/
Shivaaya Shiva tatwaayaa Aghoraaya Namonamah,
Aghotaashtaka tatwaaya Dwadashaatmasva rupiney/
Vidyutkoti prateekaasha mashtakaamsha sushobhinam,
Rupamaanasthyaaya Lokesmin samsthitaaya Shivaatmaney/
Agnivarnaaya Roudraaya Ambikaardha shareeriney,
Dhavala Shyaama raktaanaam Mukti daayaamaraayacha/
Jyeshthaaya Rudra rupaaya Somaaya varadfaayacha,
Trilokaaya Tridevaaya Vashatkaaraaya vai namah/
Madhye gagana rupaaya Gaganasthaaya tey namah,
Ashta kshetraashta rupaaya Ashta tatwaaya tey namah/
Chaturdhicha Chaturdhaacha Chaturdhaa samsthitaaya cha,
Panchaghaa panchagaachaiva Panchamantra shaririney/
Chatusshashthi prakaaraaya Akaaraaya namo namah
Dwaantri shatattawa rupaaya Ukaaraaya namonamah/
Shodashaatma swarupaaa Makaaraaya namonamah,
Ashtadhaatma swarupaaya Ardha maatraatmaney namah/
Omkaaraaya namastubhyam chaturthaa samsthitaaya cha,
Gaganeshaaya Devaaya Swar-geshaaya namonamah/
Saptalokaaya Paataala narkeshaaya vai namah,
Ashtakshetra rupaaya Paraatparataraaya cha/
Sahasra shirasey tubhyam sahasraaya cha tey namah/
Sahasra paada yuktaaya Sharvaaya Parameshtiney/
Navaatma tatwa rupaaya Navaashtaatmaatma shaktaye,
Punarashta prakaashaaya tathaashaashta murtaye/
Chathusshashtadyaatma tatwaaya Punarashti vidhaayacha,
Gunaashtakavrutaayaiva Guniney Nirgunaaya tey/
Mulasthaaya Namastubhyam Shaaswastaanavaasiney,
Naabhi mandala samsthaaya hridi nisswana kaariney/
Kandharecha sthitaayaiva Taalu ranghna sthitaayacha,
Bhrumadhey samshitaayaiva naada madhye sthitayacha/
Chandra bimba sthitaayaiva Shivaaya Shiva rupiney,
Vahni Somaarka rupaaya Shattrimshacchakti rupiney/
Tithaa Samvrutya Lokaanvai pasupa bhujagaatmaney,
Triprakaaram sthitaayaiva tretaagni mayarupiney/
Sadaa Shivaaya Shaantaaa Maheshaaya Pinaakiney,
Sarvjnaaya Sharnyaaya Sadyojaataaya vai namah/
Aghoraaya Namastubhyam Vaasudevaaya teynamah,
Tatpurushaaya Namostu Ishaanaaya namonamah/
Namastrinshat prakaashaaya Shaantaateetaaya vai namah,
Ananteshaaya Sukshmaaya Uttamaaya Namostutey/
Ekaakshaaya namastubhyameka Rudraaya tey namah,
Namastrimurtraye tubhyam Shri- Kanthaaya shikhandiney/
Anantaasana samsthaaya Anantaayantakaariney,
Vimalaaya Vishaalaaya Vimalaangaaya tey namah/
Vimalaalaya samsthaaya Vimalaayartaartha rupiney,
Yogapeethantarasthaya Yoginey Yogadaayiney/
Yoginaamhridi samsthaaya sadaa nivakarashukavat,
Pratyaahaaraaya tey nityam Pratyaahaara rataayacha/
Pratyaahaara rataanaam cha pratisthaanasthitaayacha,
Dhyaanaaya Dhyaana rupaaya dhyaanagamyaaya tey namah/
Dhyeyaaya dhyeyagamyaaya Dhyeya dheyadhaanaaya tey namah,
Dhyeyenaamapi Dhyaayaay Namo Dhyeyatamaayatey/
Namonamah Sravavidey Shivaaya Rudraaya Sharvaaya Bhavaaya tubhyam,
Sthulaaya Sukshmaaya Susukshmasukshma sukshmaaya
Sukshmaaya Sukshmaartha videy Vidhaatrey!
Adyantashunyaaya cha Samsthitaaya tathaa twasunyaayacha Linginecha,
Alinginey Lingamayaaya tubhyam Lingaaya Vedaadimayam Sakshaat/
(Be compassionate and benevolent Parameshwara, Jagannatha, Ananda Swarupa, Avyaya, Panchamukha Rudra!You are of Panchaashat koti /Five hundred crore Forms and ‘Atmatraya’; Vidyaa Tatwa, Shiva, Shiva Tatwa, Aghora, Ashtaka Tatwa, Dwadashaatma Swarupa, Vidyutkoti Swarupa, Shivaatma, Agni Kaarana, Roudra, Ambikaartha Sharira /Artha Naareeswara; Dhavala-Shyaama Rakta yuta; Muktidaana, Amara, Jyeshtha, Rudra Rupa, Soma, Varada, Triloakaaya, Tridevaaya, Vashatkaara, Gagana rupa, Ashta Kshetra, Ashta rupa, Ashta Tatwa; Chaturdha, Chaturdstha Samsthita, Panchadha, Pancha Mantra Swarupa; of Chathus -shasthi or Sixty Four Forms; Akaara; Dwantrishat Tatwa Rupa Ukaara; Shodashaatma Swarupa Makaara; Artha Maatra Swarupa, Omkaaraaya; Gaganeshaaya, Devaaya, Swargeshaaya; Sapta lokaay; Paataala Narakeshaaya; Ashta Kshetraaashta Swarupa; Paraatpara; Sahasra Sirasa, Sahasraaya, Sahasraya, Sahasra paada yukta, Sharva, Parameshthi, Navatma Tatwa Swarupa, Navaatshtaatmaatma Shaktaye, Punarakshta Prakaasha, Ashtaashta Murtaye, Chatusshashtaasta Murtaye; Ganaashtavritaaya, Guna, Nirgunaaya; Mulasthaaya, Shaswata sthaana vaasiney, Naabhi mandala samsthaaya; Hridi nisswana kaariney, Bhrumadhyaey; Naadamadhyaye, Chandra bimba sthitaa, Shiva, Shiva Swarupiney, Vahni Somaarka Rupa, Shadtrimshacchakti rupiney, Tretaagnimaya rupiney, Sadaa Shiva, Shaanta, Mahesha, Pinaakiney, Sarvjnaaya Sharnya, Sadyojaataaya, Aghora, Vaamadeva, Tatpurusha and Ishaana! Salutations to you Maha Deva, you are Trishatprakaasha, Shaantaateeta , Anantesha, Sukshmaaya, Uttama, Eka Rudra, Tri Murti, Shri Kantha, Shikhandi, Anantaasana, Anantaantha kaara, Vimala, Vishala, Vimalaanga, Vimalaasansthaana, Vimalaarthaartha Rupa, Yoga peethaantastha, Yogi, Yoga dayani, Yogahrudi samsthaaya, Nivaakashuka, Pratyaahaara, Pratyaahaara ratha, Dhaaranaaya, Dhaaranaamita ratha, Dhaaranaabhyaasa yukta, Puratsaa samthita, Dhyana-Dhyana Rupa-Dhyaanagamya-Dhyeya-Dhyaya gamya- Dhyeyadhyaana and Dhyeyatama; Shivaya, Rudraaya, Sharvaaya, Bhavaaya, Sthulaaya Sukshmaaya, Su Sukshma-Asukshma- Sukshmaaradhavidhi; Maha Deva! you have neither beginning nor end and basically you are ‘Shunya’as you are Nothingness but of the Totality of Everything! You are indeed the Linga yet the ‘Alinga’, the Lingamaya, Lingaaya and Sakshaat Vedaadimaya!) Brahma further stated that Maha Deva had indeed possessed the capability not only to destroy the Tripuras after all, but the Trilokas at the Time of Pralaya or the Great Extermination and that it was His Maya and Play that he gave a long to the Daityas as per their destinies!
As Brahma prayed to Maha Shiva as above, the latter was visibly happy and having smiled at Devi Parvati, blessed Brahma, Vishnu and all the Devatas as Indra and Devas were reinstated instantly to their respective positions.
Those who read or hear the account of ‘ Tripuraasura Samhara’ with physical and internal cleanliness would be blessed:
Paapaisha muchatey jantuh shrutvaadhaayamimam shubham,
Shatravo naashamaayaanti sangraamey vijayibhavet/
Sarva rogairna baadhyet Aapadona sphrushanti tam,
Dhanamaayuryasho Vidyaam prabhaavamatulam labhet/
(Such readers are freed from sins, diseases and problems and would secure dhana, longevity, Vidya, fame, Prabhava or brightness and all round fulfilment.)
