Tripura Sundari-The Third Manifestation of Dasa Mahavidyas

Tripura Sundari, recognized as Rajarajeshvari, Shodashi, and Lalita, stands as a Hindu goddess. She’s an important goddess in Shaktism, a special sect of Hinduism that worships goddesses. She’s like the main energy of Mahadevi, the powerful goddess. People love her in texts like Lalita Sahasranama. She’s even called Adi Parashakti in stories. In the Shaktism tradition, she’s the top among the Dasa Mahavidyas and the main goddess of Sri Vidya. The Tripura Upanishad says she’s the ultimate energy of the universe. She is characterized as the ultimate awareness, reigning above Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva.

Word Origins and Naming

Tripura Sundari embodies profound significance, denoting the most beautiful woman amidst three domains. ‘Tripura’ carries a twofold essence, evoking the three cities constructed by Mayasura and vanquished by Tripurantaka and symbolizing the yoni’s triangular form. Moreover, it mirrors the cosmic triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. This goddess’s essence reverberates within creation, preservation, and destruction, encapsulating the eternal cycle. Her name, a linguistic masterpiece, intricately weaves her multifaceted roles and omnipotent prowess into a harmonious tapestry.

The Appearance of Tripura Sundari

Goddess Tripura Sundari, known as “Shodashi,” is frequently portrayed as a 16-year-old girl seated on a padma (lotus). This padma is positioned atop the reclining form of Sadashiva, which rests on a throne supported by the deities Brahma, Vishnu, Isvara, and Rudra. In some depictions, the padma emerges from Shiva’s navel, while in more prevalent scenarios, it grows directly from the Sri Chakra.

The Stories of Tripura Sundari

The story of Tripura Sundari is an ancient and fascinating tale. It’s about gods and goddesses in a big battle. It all starts with a fight between Lord Shiva and a king named Daksha. Daksha’s daughter Sati goes to a special event even though Shiva tells her not to. At the event, Daksha insults Shiva, and Sati feels very sad and sacrifices herself. This makes Shiva very angry, and he punishes Daksha by cutting off his head.

Following Daksha’s demise, the deities and sages comprehend the seriousness of their deeds and strive for harmony. They approach Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu to mend the situation. Shiva resurrects Daksha, though with a goat’s head.

Then, Adi Parasakti, who is also known as Parvati, is born to help and she’s connected to defeating an enemy called Tarakasura. The gods want Shiva and Parvati to come together, so they ask a love god named Kama for help. But Kama’s love arrows upset Shiva, and he turns Kama into ashes.

After some time, Ganesha, Shiva’s son, asks Shiva to bring Kama back. Shiva does this, and Kama turns into an asura called Bhandasura. Bhandasura causes trouble for the gods, so they do a big ceremony to ask for help. They sacrifice the whole universe in a fire. From this fire, a powerful goddess named Maha Tripura Sundari Devi appears. She splits into two forms, Kameshwara and Kameshwari, and makes the universe again.

With everything back in balance, Tripura Sundari fights against Bhandasura with her army and wins. This story teaches us about the power of good over bad and how harmony is restored in the end.

As per the Tripura Rahasya, the universe’s inception involved the sole existence of goddess Tripura Sundari. She initiated the creation process by giving rise to the Trimurti ( Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva)

Temples of Tripura Sundari

Temples dedicated to Goddess Tripura Sundari are few in number. Three famous temples to this goddess are Tripura Sundari Temple, Udaipur, Tripura, India, Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India, Maa Tripura Temple, Chhatrabhog, India and Kamadchi Ampal Temple, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Tripura Sundari Mantras

1. Goddess Shodashi Mantra

ऐं सौः क्लीं॥

Aim Sauh Kleem॥

2. Panchakshar Shodashi Mantra (5 Syllables Mantra)

ऐं क्लीं सौः सौः क्लीं॥

Aim Kleem Sauh Sauh Kleem॥

3. Shadakshar Shodashi Mantra (6 Syllables Mantra)

ऐं क्लीं सौः सौः क्लीं ऐं॥

Aim Kleem Sauh Sauh Kleem Aim॥

4. Ashtadashakshar Shodashi Mantra (18 Syllables Mantra)

ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं त्रिपुरामदने सर्वशुभं साधय स्वाहा॥

Hreem Shreem Kleem Tripuramadane Sarvashubham Sadhaya Svaha॥

5. Vinshatyakshar Shodashi Mantra (20 Syllables Mantra)

ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं परापरे त्रिपुरे सर्वमीप्सितं साधय स्वाहा॥

Hreem Shreem Kleem Parapare Tripure Sarvamipsitam Sadhaya Svaha॥

6. Tripura Gayatri Mantra

क्लीं त्रिपुरादेवि विद्महे कामेश्वरि धीमहि। तन्नः क्लिन्ने प्रचोदयात्॥

Kleem Tripuradevi Vidmahe Kameshvari Dhimahi। Tannah Klinne Prachodayat॥