Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Tripura Rahasya Day 10 – January 13, 2022 – Mysore
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
Chapter 10
From Lord Dattatreya Swami, Parashurama heard the most astonishing story of Goddess Tripura Sundari. In that story, taking on the form of a young maiden, Mother Goddess dispelled the ignorance of Indra and other Devatas.
After hearing this story, Parashurama bowed to Guru Datta and sweetly enquired, “O Swami! The story of Mother Goddess narrated by you is absolutely astonishing. Never before have I heard this story that brings out the supremacy of Mother Tripura.
(Parashurama was learned in the Vedas and Vedangas. The story told by Guru Datta finds a mention in Kenopanishad. It was not that Parashurama was not aware of that Upanishad. Yet he said, ‘I have never heard this story before’. He said this because of the minor differences that existed in the stories.
In that story, Indra does not send Chandra. Indra does not lift Vajrayudha. But in Tripura Rahasya Indra deputes Chandra, Indra also lifts the Vajrayudha. There only a short prayer is told while here it is elaborate. There Guru Brihaspati does not arrive. But here Guru Brihaspati arrives, extols Mother Goddess, appeases Her and ensures that the Devatas receive Her blessings. As these differences were found, Parashurama said that he has never heard such a story).
As that Mother is worshipped by even the Trinity, I have understood that She is more supreme than all the Devatas. I have understood that She is the Mother who creates and governs the Trinity.
O revered Gurudeva! Hearing from you this nectar-like story, my mental diseases are dispelled.
Ādhi means mental disorders. Vyādhi refers to physical disorders. Anger, desires, mental unrest are all mental disorders. They are dosha. Due to listening to the Kumāri story of Mother Goddess from Guru Datta, Parashurama was freed from mental agitation. Such is the power of the Upanishads that merely by listening to a story from there, mental agitations are driven away.
If so, who can ever tell the resultant fruit that will be obtained if the secretive essence of that story is understood? No one can. That is why, in the future chapters that arise, Datta Swami is going to explain the secretive essence of Tripura devi (Tripura Rahasya). Understand this.
Parashurama further continued, “With your blessings O Gurudeva, I could listen to such a wondrous story. More supreme than the nectar that is sipped is the nectar that is heard from the Sadguru.
Due to the love that you have shown me and due to your narration of the story, I have attained blessedness. While drinking this nectar in the form of stories I do not feel hungry or thirsty.
O Gurudeva! However much I drink this nectar called story from your moon-like face, I am still not satisfied. Further, the desire to listen more and more only intensifies in me. I seek to listen more to the glories of the Sri Tripura Devi. Hence, please be compassionate and teach me more”.
In this way, Parashurama, with a desire to uplift the devotees, prayed to Datta Swami.
Guru Datta was immensely pleased with Parashurama’s absolute dedication. (The Guru is pleased only with the dedication shown by the disciple. Gurus who are pleased with it can shower anything. They will reveal even the deepest secrets).
Datta Swami who was pleased with Parashurama, began to narrate stories of the incarnations of Tripura Devi. He said, “O Parashurama! Listen attentively to the auspicious stories of Tripura Devi that I am now going to narrate.
Sri Tripura-devi is said to be the embodiment of the vast space. In Her, this entire universe appears with all its divisions. That Mother, who is the wife of Parameshwara, is the form of the Supreme Lord who is Sat+chit+Ananda.
She is beyond the comprehension of the mind and the words. She is the eternal witness and is the shelter for every existence. For blessing Her devotees, She takes on many bodies and accomplishes many tasks.
Each devotee loves a particular form. (Some like Durga-parameshwari; some like Mahalakshmi; some love Saraswati etc. Whatever be the form being worshipped, all the worship goes to that Parashakti. Hence we must not question- why does She need so many forms and worship in so many forms? It is for the benefit of the devotees that She, who is pleased with mere remembrance, takes on many forms). Even the 1000-headed Adi shesha cannot count Her innumerable forms. Hence I shall narrate to you only Her prominent forms.
Her first form is the Kumari (form of a young maiden). Thereafter She took on three primary forms.
Gouri rama bhārateeti tatah kālī ca canḍikā
Durgā-bhagavatī pascāt prōktā kātyāyanī parā ‖
Lalitā śrīmahārāgnī tatra pūrṇatamā matā
Gauri, Rama, Bharati are the three primary manifestations. Thereafter She accepted forms of Kāli, Chandika, Durga, Bhagavatī, Kātyāyani. Lalita-devi who is Śrimahārāgni (the Supreme empress) is a complete incarnation.
O Parashurama! I shall narrate the transcendental sports of these incarnations.
Mother Goddess Tripura Sundari, who had manifested as a young maiden and who was praised by Brahma and other Devatas, manifested in three other forms. I shall narrate that wondrous and astonishing story. Listen.
At the onset of creation, Tripura-devi, who is the embodiment of knowledge, alone existed. There was nothing in existence at that time. This embodiment of energy, based on Her Self-will, wanted to create the universe based on the past activities of the individual souls. The moment this Mother, who is the form of energy, began creation, desire (Iccha) emerged in Her. Based on Her desire (iccha), knowledge (jnana) emerged. Thereafter action (kriya) followed.
Thereafter Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were born. Mother Goddess cast a glance at them. With this, Shiva became the form of desire (iccha swaroopa). Vishnu became the embodiment of knowledge (jnana swaroopa) and Brahma became the form of action (kriya swaroopa).
The Mother who benefits everyone looked at them. With this, they turned extremely powerful and obtained satya-sankalpa. Controlling the mind, senses and actions, they began intense austerities.
At that time, the day, night, sun, stars, earth, water, fire, wind, directions, seconds, yugas did not exist. Only space existed (chidakasha).
In that residence called space, these Gods were self-luminous. Immersed in intense penance, they were totally fixed in the state of samadhi. Many eons (yugas) passed by.
At that time, the Divine Mother, in the form of subtle space, addressed Brahma and said, “My son! Get up. What is it that you gain from this penance? You need to create innumerable universes. Towards this, I have created you”.
Hearing this command, Brahma decided to begin the task of creation. Thinking, ‘Where should I begin my creation?’- he looked around. He then noticed the vast space that was empty and ever pure. It was without beginning and ending and was immeasurably vast.
Believing that in this space there was a scope for creation, he slightly shook his body. With this, touch was born. When Brahma shook his body, along with touch, even wind was born.
Due to the speed of the wind, heat was born. Brahma observed the heat taking on the form of fire. All around that fire, Brahma saw water that had a cool touch and which had fluidity and stickiness was formed.
Thereafter even smell was born. With the dirt from that smell, earth was formed. The earth was hard and was competent to hold the creation.
Seeing all this, Brahma, the creator of the world, thought that his creation would remain stable here. He then resolved to create a strange creation filled with varied forms on this earth. With this resolve, Brahma began his creation on earth”- said Datta Swami.
Listening to this, Parashurama was filled with doubt. He sweetly enquired, “O revered Gurudeva! What you have said is very strange. It fills me with doubts. You had said that space and other elements were already existing and that the creator Brahma had already perceived them.
With this it is evident that space and other primordial elements already existed and that no one has created them and that they existed on their own. From where did the sound, which recognizes space and other elements and which names the five elements, emerge? How could sound exist prior to the existence of the five basic elements? Also, what is the connection between sound and this body composed of the five elements? This is yet another doubt of mine.
With the Sunrays known as your words, please dissolve this snow called my doubts. Gurus who are an ocean of compassion shower upon the disciple whatever he seeks. Pure-minded beings like You, without retaining any secrets, will reveal everything irrespective of whether the disciples explicitly ask or not”.
Guru Dattatreya, who is an ocean of compassion, was very pleased when Parashurama thus enquired. He, who is of the highest knowledge, lovingly addressed Parashurama and said,
“O best among the wise! Great is the depth in the question raised by you. It has three aspects. Hence in the incidents that I narrate in future, I shall offer a proper reply for them. This is because even if I explain now, you do not have the competency to grasp the answer. Hence be patient.
When the disciple lacks the ability to comprehend, the Guru who teaches the subjects beyond his understanding is a deluded one. If the teacher teaches before the student develops the readiness to absorb them, the student fails to grasp the subject properly and he will draw the wrong meaning from it.
If the Guru tries to impart all the lessons and shower all blessings at one go to the disciple who has not yet attained the readiness to receive them, the disciple gets totally destroyed like the weaver of the mats”.
Hearing this, Parashurama asked, “O Gurudeva! What is it that you just said? Who is this weaver of mats? What is his story? Why did he get destroyed? Please explain this to me”.
Then Dattatreya Swami replied, “Parashurama! In Kali yuga, in the kingdom of King Yadu, a weaver of mats named Kuvalaya was living. He was greatly skilled in the art of weaving mats. He would weave mats and carpets of various designs and offer them to the king.
Pleased with him, the king once rewarded him with plenty of wealth. With this, he suddenly turned very rich. Once, when listening to the Purana discourse, he heard about the greatness of Brahmins. Using the money given by the king, he now began to worship the Brahmins.
Once when Kuvalaya was listening to the sacred texts with great interest the topic of Vedanta suddenly arose. He increased his inclination for listening to Vedantic texts. Showing great interest, he would frequently hear these subjects on Vedanta. As they were extremely deep subjects, he could not comprehend what he had heard.
Secretively meeting his Guru, Kuvalaya said to him, “O Gurudeva! What you have explained is wonderful. Further, you have been repeating the same lesson many times. Nevertheless, due to being dim-witted, I am unable to grasp the profound secrets contained in your teaching. Hence, with mercy on me, teach it to me in a way I can easily comprehend”.
At this request, the Guru then summarized the teaching and said, “O Kuvalaya! I shall explain to you the essence of Vedanta. The human being should abandon all love for sensory pleasures. He should become calm. Realizing that all the visible objects are the same as the seer, he should treat all objects equally. While accepting all those objects that come to him on their own without his explicit seeking, he should not run behind that which is not available to him. He should live happily, without fear, and without a deluded mind. This is how he should conduct himself. This is the essence of Vedanta”.
Kuvalaya could not comprehend even this teaching. He thought that when everyone was equal, what was the necessity to worship Brahmins, the learned and the Jnanis? His wealth got into his head and he immersed himself in enjoying the comforts of this world. He gave up listening to the divine stories and sacred talks. He abandoned worship for God. He lost the fear of sin. Due to lacking the worthiness for these Vedantic lessons, Kuvalaya became an atheist and ultimately got ruined.
O Parashurama! This is the story of the weaver. Hence lessons should be told only at the right moment. Teaching the subjects at the wrong time becomes a sin. It leads to danger. Let us come back to the main story.
The creator Brahma saw the earth. With his mind he created all the moving and non-moving objects along with the human beings.
He created humans, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Vidyadharas, Kinnaras, Rakshasas, Danavas & Daitya- demons, ghosts and spirits, forefathers, the Lords of the Devatas, cattle, horses, goats, donkeys, birds, living beings that move on land, aquatic beings, trees, creepers, grasses and different types of residences.
Although he relentlessly continued the creation, they were getting destroyed the moment they were created. Brahma observed this. Realizing that his act of creation was turning wasteful, he began penance. After he had performed intense penance for a very long period, he could hear the voice of the Divine Mother.
The celestial voice said, “O Brahma! Why are you engaged in such intense penance? I had commanded you to begin creation. Abandoning that task, why are you engaged in penance?”
Brahma then replied, “O Mother! Even though I am creating, my creation does not last even for a second. Instantly it is getting absorbed. O Shiva-shakti! Ask Vishnu to sustain my creation”.
The celestial voice grasped his opinion. She then said to Vishnu, “O Vishnu! Stop your penance. Listen to me. I have created you to protect this created universe. Hence, with your energies, you sustain Brahma’s creation. This is my command”.
Vishnu then bowed to Her and said, “I shall do as you say”. He then became busy protecting the creation with his self-power.
In this way, the world created by Brahma and protected by Vishnu began to grow like a pond that is getting filled due to heavy monsoons. With every passing day, the world was filled with many new objects.
The earth was filled with creatures that moved on land. The space was filled with creatures that flew in the air. The waters were filled with aquatic creatures. The burrows were filled with germs and worms. The mountains were filled with trees and shrubs. All the in-between places were filled with mosquitoes and flies.
In this way, with the world packed with movable and non-movable entities, the living creatures suffered. Unable to withstand this suffering, they let out huge cries. It appeared as if the universe, which was packed with living beings, would burst. Like the seeds in the fully ripened pomegranate that is packed with seeds, the living beings who had no space to move struggled even for breath.
There were conflicts with beings pushing each other for space. Seeing this distressing situation, Brahma agonized. ‘Oho! What a terrible calamity has arisen!’- he sighed and once again he went into deep penance.
Pleased with his penance, the Mother of the Universes, again in the form of a celestial voice spoke to him filling Brahma with delight. She said, “O Brahma! Why are you again engaged in penance? If you tell me your desire I shall fulfill it. Without hesitation, reveal it”.
Brahma said, “O Mother! I am engaged in creation. Vishnu is engaged in protecting the creation. But the number of living beings in the world is increasing significantly.
Not even an inch of space is seen in the universe. It is backed to the brim. This has brought a lot of trouble. O Shānkari! Now please command what I should do next”.
Then the Mother addressed Rudra and said, “O Rudra! Enough of this penance. It is my command that you should destroy the lives that have been created. Begin your task now”.
Hearing the celestial voice, Shiva bowed to Her. Determined to destroy the universe he said, ‘May it happen as you seek!’ He then opened his third eye located on the forehead and in a second burnt down the entire creation.
Seeing the surprising way in which Rudra destroyed the universe, Brahma was saddened. He bowed to Shiva and said,
“O Shiva! Stop this form of destruction. Have compassion on me. With great difficulty, I have created all these living beings. But within a second you have reduced everything to dust. Hence begin penance again for the benefit of the world”. With this, Shiva once again went into penance.
Thereafter Brahma began to ponder how to proceed with the creation. Then, with his aspect, he created Daksha, Kashyapa and other creators. They in turn created living beings.
When Daksha-brahma and others began to create, the universe was filled with moving and non-moving entities. Thereafter Brahma glorified Rudra and appeased him. He convinced him to gradually destroy the world.
Thereafter from Shiva’s aspect Mrtyu (God of death) was born. Brahma entrusted to Mrtyu the task of destruction. He said,
“O Mrtyu! As commanded by me, gradually destroy these living beings. Do not destroy them at one go. I have created you for the destruction of the created universe”.
Hearing Brahma’s words, Mrtyu prayed, “O Lord Brahma! Please excuse me. I do not like to kill beings. This is because people will curse me. Hence, please show mercy on me and spare me from this duty”.
However, no matter how hard Mrtyu prayed, Brahma did not heed his prayers. When his pleas were rejected, Mrtyu began rigorous penance. For 10,000 years, standing only on his toes, eating only dried leaves, with total sense-discipline, Mrtyu continued his penance.
Then, pleased with his penance, the creator Brahma said, “O Mrtyu! I am pleased with your penance. Seek any boon. I will grant it”.
Listening to Brahma’s words, Mrtyu requested that he should be spared from the task of destruction. Brahma said, “that is not possible”.
Mrtyu then joined his palms and pleaded, “If you are truly pleased with my penance, then please give me the boon I seek”.
Brahma said, “O Mrtyu! My earlier command that you should destroy cannot become false. Hence seek any other boon”.
Aggrieved with this, Mrtyu wept bitterly. His tears flowed like a river. Catching those teardrops in his cupped palms, Brahma sprinkled them on earth. Those teardrops transformed into varied diseases.
Brahma then said, “O Mrtyu! Do not weep. These diseases have taken birth solely to assist you. Before people die, these diseases will aid in their death. Hence people will not think that you are killing them. They will think that they are going to die due to disease. Hence your desire is as good as fulfilled”.
Mrtyu was very happy. He said, “I shall do as you say”.
In this way, the task of creation, sustenance and destruction was set up in the universe. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva diligently completed their work. Nevertheless, due to being exhausted by their work, they turned lusterless.
Distressed, they abandoned their tasks and approached Mother Goddess, who is the primordial cause for this creation. Pleased with their penance, Mother Goddess manifested before them.
She was of three hues, had 12 arms, 10 faces and was glowing with great effulgence. She had 25 eyes. She pervaded the entire cosmos. She was holding the kamandala (water pot), japamala, discus, conch, mace, lotus, deer, trident, axe, skull and thus was the form of the Trinity. In Her other two hands, She was showing the Abhaya and Vara mudras.
On seeing Her, Brahma and other Gods fell to the ground and offered prostrations. Due to love for Her, tears of joy flowed from their eyes. their minds were thrilled. They extolled her as follows,
“O Mother! You shower far more than that sought by the devotees who seek shelter in You. You are the empress for all worlds. You are filled with countless virtues. For Your sport, You are as wide as the manifested worlds. You are the form of the Supreme. Obeisance to You, who is the life-vein of Parameshwara.
O Devi! In your absence, none of the principles starting from the earth and up to Shiva, the fiery fire of dissolution or the world composed of moving and non-moving entities can exist.
Those who, abandoning You, worship other Gods, are ones who chase mirages to quench their thirst. Hence their desires do not get fulfilled.
O Mother! In all the varied objects in the universe, while exhibiting Your real power, You pervade them all. It is truly a wonder that neither the ear and other sense organs nor the mind that exists deep, can fathom the truth about You, nor describe You.
O extremely pure Mother! With extreme compassion You shower blessings upon the devotees who bow to You. Further You are easily known to their eyes, speech and mind.
(To know Her, devotion is imperative. To see Her, devotion is a must. To listen about Her and to talk about Her, devotion is a must).
O uplifter of the universe! You manifest before devotees exactly in the form in which they meditate upon You and serve You. O wife of Shiva! If You close Your eyes, the universe will vanish. If You open Your eyes, the creation commences.
You are the form of the supremely astonishing mighty energy. There is nothing astonishing in saying that You manifest in many forms for the fulfilment of the desires of those who have sought refuge in You.
O Mother! You had allotted to the three of us, the tasks of creation, sustenance and destruction. We are executing our tasks exactly as stipulated by You. However now our energies and competence have depleted and hence are grieving. Only You can uplift us”.
In this way, Brahma and other Gods reverentially prayed to Her and narrated their woes. She was pleased with their words. Seeking to bring them joy, She said,
“O Trinity! I am aware of your difficulty. You have gross bodies without the support of my partial aspects. Hence you are not having any happiness and are getting exhausted with your work. That is why you have lost lustre, strength and potency. I will help you. Do not worry”.
Within a second, from Her body, She created 3 energy-forms that were replete with Her partial aspects. These three, coupled with the powers of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, manifested in three forms.
They are Vāni, Ramā, Rudrāni who glowed with white, red and black complexions. They were seated on a swan, lotus and lion respectively and were beautiful. They were decorated with many precious gems and appeared like mountains of effulgence. These bodies of Mother Goddess had the slow gait of elephants.
Their feet glowed with a reddish hue. The lustre from their toes outshone the lustre of the Moon’s rays. The upper portion of their feet was arched like the tortoiseshell. Their ankles that were filled with flesh were glowing.
Their thighs were like Manmatha’s quiver and their waist was like the vast space. They were draped in expensive silk sarees. The three bodies were slightly bent due to the weight of their breasts and were shaking gently.
Their deep and soft navels resembled the base of the creeper called the wish-fulfilling tree. Their beautiful waists were beautiful with three folds. With the weight of their breasts that were like pots of pearls, they were bent.
Each of them had 4 arms that were tender and long like the lotus stalk. The three bodies had conch-like necks, lips were red like the ripened tindora fruit. Their rows of teeth were like the mogra (jasmine) flowers. Their noses were like the champaka flower.
Their breath was fragrant. Their cheeks glowed like a mirror made of rubies. With a lotus-like glow, their eyes were radiant. With three eyes that glowed like the crescent moon, the three forms were exceedingly delightful to look at. From toe to head, they were embodiments of beauty.
Their hair, which naturally was fragrant like the champaka flower, was jet black as if all the darkness of the universe had gathered at one spot. Crowns made of gems glittered on their heads.
Earrings made of many invaluable gems added to the beauty of those faces. The glow from their nose-rings radiated everywhere. Their eyeballs were rotating as if they indicated their effectiveness in punishing the Devatas and the demons.
Beautiful pearl chains decorated their necks. The faces were lotus-like. They had worn beautiful armlets, waist-bands, gem-studded bangles and finger-rings. The jingle of the golden anklets was melodious.
Among them, one was Vāni, who is the presiding deity of speech. She glowed like pure crystal. She had three eyes, had adorned Moon on her head, and was holding a book and veena in two of her hands. With the other two hands, she was showing the Vara and Abhaya mudras. With Her knowledge-body, she shone like a mass of knowledge.
The other Devi, with a glow that was like the corals, with wide eyes and a lotus-like glow was holding 4 lotuses in her lotus-like hands. She was the Goddess for entire wealth. She was like the blossomed lotus. The third Devi, with her hands that were like sprouting leaves, was holding a sword, shield, spear, spade etc.
In this way, just as sparks emerge from the fire, from the Supreme Mother these three forms manifested. The three mothers who had emerged from the Supreme Mother bowed to Her and stood beside Her. Tripura Devi then said,
“O Trimurtis! I have created these Goddesses from your aspects for your sake. You accept them in order. O Brahma! The Goddess who glows with a coral-like hue has been created from your aspect. O Vishnu! She with a fierce form has been created from your aspect. O Shiva! Bharati, who has wide limbs, has been created from your aspect. She who has been born from your respective aspect should be accepted by each of you as your younger sister.
She who is born with Brahma’s aspect will be Vishnu’s wife. She who is born with Vishnu’s aspect will be Shiva’s wife. She who is born with Shiva’s aspect will be Brahma’s wife.
Now complete your weddings and accept them as your wives. If you, through marriage, accept these energies that are composed of my energy, you will obtain happiness. Further, creation and your other tasks will proceed smoothly. Even the world will be benefitted due to it”- saying this, the Supreme Mother vanished.
Then Brahma and other Gods took their respective abodes along with their consorts. Thereafter at an auspicious hour, they married them.
On Meru Mountain which is 10,000 Yojanas (1 yojana is 8 miles approx.) wide, the celestial architect Vishwakarma built a stupendous wedding hall. In the centre of that hall, on a stage that was made of the 9 precious gems, the sacrificial fire was lit.
Shiva held the tender hand of Vishnu’s sister Parvati and married her according to the Vedic rituals. Vishnu held the lotus hand of Brahma’s sister Lakshmi and married her. Then Brahma held the hand of Shiva’s sister Saraswati and married her.
In this way, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva obtained Vāni, Lakshmi and Shivā, who were partial aspects of the Supreme Mother, as their wives. These three Gods always cause the wellbeing of the world. They shower speech, prosperity and knowledge.
They were decorated with many varieties of clothes, ornaments and weapons. After the wedding, Brahma and other Gods derived great happiness and obtained respite. Along with their respective consorts, they lived happily in their respective abodes. They then got engrossed in creation and other tasks given to them. They never forgot the Supreme Mother Tripura-devi and worshipped Her lotus feet with utmost devotion.
O Parashurama! I have narrated to you the wonderful story of how the Mother manifested in three forms. For the wellbeing of the world, She manifested as Vani, Ramā and Shiva. I told you the three forms married Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively.
With control over their senses, the devotees should listen to this sacred story of Mother Tripura. Those who listen to this story obtain long-life. All their desires get fulfilled. Mother Goddess will quickly shower upon them all the objects of comfort pertaining to this world. Further, at the end of this birth, based on their level of devotion, she blesses them with the knowledge of the Supreme. Ultimately She grants them liberation from where there is no return.
O Parashurama! With total concentration, you have heard this astonishing story of Mother Tripura that showers supreme results. This story of Mother Goddess should never be told to those who lack devotion to Her, to the atheists, cheats and the wicked. If the story is narrated to them, She is angered.
O Parashurama! Always retain this story in your mind and meditate upon Her. O wise one! Tell me, what else do you seek to hear from me?”
Om Srimatre namah’