Interesting Origin of Bhandasura, Manifestaion of Lalitha Devi and Bhandasura Vadha

As Tarakasura was harassing the world and was gloated with a boon from Brahma that only Maha Deva’s son Skanda could exterminate the Asura,  Indra and Devas were anxious that Devi Parvati should soon wed Maha Deva. The latter approached Vishnu and requested for a quick solution as Maha Deva was absorbed in very long Tapasya after he was totally disenchanted after Devi Sati’s self- sacrifice pursuant to Daksha Yagna since Sati was frustrated that her husband Shiva was insulted by her father Daksha in non-invitation of his Yagna to Shiva. In response, Vishnu looked amorously sideways to Devi Lakshmi and there got manifested Manmatha with arrows of flowers and a sugar-cane bow. Brahma blessed Manmatha to become an Embodiment of Love on the Universe. Indra and Devas got the hint and requested  Manmadha to utilise all their skills to kindle attraction of Maha Deva in favour of Devi Parvati who was already serving Shiva in Tapasya by arranging the wherewith all like fruits,  flowers and other material utilised in Shiva’s puja in progress. Manmatha agreed and released an arrrow of flowers. For a split second, Maha Deva opened his eyes and saw Parvati with a momentary fultter of thought of liking for her, but  soon got over that feeling and discovered as to who was behind this disturbance as Manmatha was lurking behing the trees! A furious Maha Deva opened his third eye and converted Manmadha as a heap of ash!

Ganesha was playful and materialised a Purusha from that heap. Ganesha was delighted at his Creation and embraced the Purusha. He advised him to worship Maha Deva so that  he could grant Siddhis to him; Ganesha gave the instruction of ‘Shata Rudreeya’ and the Purusha recited hundred times and sought Shiva’s boons; the boon was that half of his enemy’s Shakti should be dissipated while he faced them and that the Astra-Shastras of the enemy should become futile; the boon further assured that he should enjoy his privileges for sixty thousand years! As Brahma learnt of the purport of the boon he stated out of desperation : Bhand! Bhand! why was this boon was granted!  Eversince the Purusha came to becalled as Bhandasura. Bhanda became a terror to the Universe and Asura Guru Shukra gradually honed his battle skills. He called up Mayasura and made him construct another Amaravati and declared himself as Indra. He acquired a Kireeta which was gifted to Hiranyakashipu by Brahma. Shukra gave him an Umbrella given to him by Brahma and he was never bothered him by disease or fatigue. Thus Bhanda became an Apara Indra with all the fanfare of Indraloka. Bhanda had eight warrior sons  and four daughters. Eventually, Indra and Devatas became subservient to Bhanda. Being a staunch devotee of Maha Deva, his progeny too adopted the father’s qualities; his sons were Indra Shatru, Amitraghna, Vidyunmaali, Vibhishana, Ugrakarma, Ugradhanvu,  Vijaya and Shritiparaga. There were regular Yagna Karyas and the Havya bhoktas were Bhanda and his followers! Vedaadhyayana was common in the houses of common Asuras of Bhandasura’s households.



Lalitha Devi’s Vijaya Yatra and Bhandasura Vadha: The Victory March commenced with sky-reaching reverberations of ‘Vaadyas’ or sound  instruments of Mridangas, Murajas, Patahas, Jhallaris, Hundukas, Gomukhas, Barbaras, Hunkaaras and so on. From Lalita’s Ankusha emerged Sampatkari Devi who alighted an Elephant called ‘Rana Kolahala’who in turn materialised countless elephants. From Lalita Devis’s Pashaayudha were materialised innumerable horses of varied descriptions like Vanayjas, Kambhojaas, Sindhujas, Tankanas, Parvateeyas, Paaraseekas, Kaala vandijas, Yavanobhutas and Gandharvas. Armed by her various hands, Lalita sat on a horse back even when Dandanatha or Senapati named Shrinatha led her army while the former in turn created several Chandi Shaktis seated on Mahishas / buffaloes or Lions; in fact, the  Stree Shaktis created for the occasion were twelve in number viz. Panchami, Dandanaatha, Sanketa, Samayeswari, Samaya Sanketa, Vaaraahi, Potrini, Vaartaali, Maha Sena, Agjna, Chakrewsari, and Arighna. Besides, there were sixteen Mantra Nayikas named Sangeeta Yogini, Shyama, Shyamala, Mantranayika, Mantrini, Sachiveshi, Pradhaanesi, Shukapriya, Veenavati, Vainiki, Mudrini, Priyakapriya, Neepapriya, Kadambesi, Kadambavanavaasini and Sadaamada. Meanwhile, a Figure  representing Dhanur Veda with four hands, three heads and three eyes gifted a Dhanush (Bow) and two containers full of Arrows to Jagadamba saying these would be useful to fight Bhandasura.Hahagriva then described Parameswari with the following Pancha Vimshati Naamaas viz. Shri Lalitha, Maha Raagni, Paraamkusha, Chaapini, Tripura, Maha Tripura Sundari, Sundari, Chakranatha, Saamraajni, Chakrini, Chakreswari, Maha Devi; Kameshi, Parameshwari, Kamaraga Priya, Kaama koti, Chakravarti, Maha Vidya, Shiva, Ananga Vallabha, Sarva Paaatala; Kulanatha, Amnaaya naaatha, Sarvaamnaya Natha, Sarvamnayna Nivasini and Shringrara Nayika; reciting  these names of Lalita Parameshwari would bestow name and prosperity.

Tri Ratha Varnana: Ahead of Laliteswari’s chariot called Kiri Chakra Ratha, were the Geya
Chakra Ratha and Geeti Chakra Ratha.  The Nine-Storyed front-running Chariot that moved towards Bhandaasura had  huge contingents of Shaktis and these were  Ashta Siddhis and Matrikas afore-detailed and Prakata Shaktis viz. Sarva Sankshobhini, Sarva Vidraavini, Sarvaakarshanakrunmudra, Sarva Vashankari, Sarovanmadana Mudra, Yashti, Sarva Mahaankusha, Sarva khastra charikaa Mudra, Sarva Beejaa, Sarva Yoni, and Sarvatrikhandika. Also there were sixteen Chandra Kalaa Shaktis named Kaamaakarshi Kalaa, Budhyaakarshini Kalaa, Ahankaaraakarshini Kalaa,  Sabdaakarshini Kalaa; Gandhaakarshini Kalaa, Chittaakarshini Kalaa, Dhairyaakarshini Kalaa, Smrityaarshanika Kalaa, Naamaakashinikaa Kalaa, Beejaakarshinikaa Kalaa, Atmaakarshinikaa Kalaa,  Amritaakarshinikaa Kalaa and Shareeraakarshinika Kalaa. On the eighth Storey of the Chariot, are four armed and three eyed of the radiance of Surya Chandra and are charged with high emotions to kill Bhandasura. On the seventh Storey were Stree Shaktis like Ananga Madana, Ananga Madanaaturaa, Anangalebhaa, Ananga Vegaa, Anangaankusa, and Anangaalingapara all of whom were anxiously waiting to terminate Bhandaasura. On the sixth storey of  the Chakra raja Ratha are like Kaalaagni and they possessed Agni Baana, Agni Dhanu, Agni Khadga who were all materialised from the Kaamaagni Shaktis and their names were Sarva Sankshobhini, Sava Vidraarini, Sarva -akarshana, Sarvaahlaadani, Sarva sammohihi, Sarvastambhana, Sarvjrumbhana, Sarvonmaadana and Sarva Dwandwaksha -yankari. On the fifth Storey were ‘Kulotteernas’ who had crooked eye-brows and carriers of Parashu, Paasha, Gada, Ghanta, and Manis. These Stree Shaktis were Sarva Siddhiprada, Sarva Sampadprada, Sarva Priyankara, Sarvanga Sundari, and Sarva Soubhyagyadayani; these were basically the boon-bestowing and merciful Devatas. The fourth Storey Devatas were ten in number viz. Sarvajna, Sarva Shakti, Sarvaish -warya prada, Sarva Sarva Jnaanamayi, Sarva Vyadhi Nivaasini, Sarvaadhaara Swarupa, Sarvaahapara, Sarvanandamayi, Sarva Rakshaa Swarupini and Sarvepsita phala pradayaini. The third Storey Shaktis Vaagadheeswaris, and Veenaa-Pustaka Dharinis called Vashini, Kaameshini, Bhogini, Vimala, Aruna, Javini, Sarveshi, and Kaalini; these were all Rakshasa Samhara kaarinis. The Shaktis in the second Storey of the Chariot are as powerful as Lalitaa herself and were very close to her and were equally armed like Lalita herself and they were always ready to help, protect and be of forgiving nature! These magnanimous Shaktis were called Kameshi, Bhaga, Nityaklinna, Bherunda, Vahnivaasini, Maha Vajreswari, Dati Twarita, Kula Sundari, Nityaa, Nilapaakaa, Vijaya, Sarva Mangala, Jwaalaamaalini and Chitra. Such was the magnificent presence of Maha Shaktis accommodated in the Chariot . Similarly Shaktis in the Geya Chakra Ratha Prathama Madhya or the central portion of the first Storey was Sangeeta Yogini who was very intimate to Sri Devi and was the Residence of Mantrinis.Other storeys of the Ratha too were similarly brilliant with other Shaktis. The front chariot was of ten yojana’s height; the accompanying Geeti Chakra Ratha had a height of seven yojanas and that of Kiri Chakra Ratha was of six yojanas in which Laliteswari was sitting brilliantly.

Preamble to Dev’s battle with Bhandasura: As the Three Chariots were on the move, Rakshasas were mortally frightened and there were deadly omens to them while Devi’s entourages were in top spirits anticipating emphatic Victory. The fool hardy Bhandasura was bragging away as  in a dream world that a woman called Lalitha was coming to fight who nodoubt was stated to be beautiful and graceful and that instead of encountering in a battle he would like to invite her to a private encounter!! Ha ha! Bhanda’s younger brothers Vishukra and Vishanga were the World’s most dreaded and  terrifying warriors and the erstwhile devotees of Maha Deva who only knew how  to subdue and conquer and were unaware of fear or surrender. As Bhanda was in the fancyand romantic world, the brothers tigthtened the screws and bolts of the chatiots and charioteers. The Great Rakshasa warriors who frightented Devas and kept on them  leash as they woud to slaves were so strong that each of them were able to make a multitude of Devas demoralised for a very very long sixty thousand years of Bhandasura’s unchallenged sovereignty aided by thousands of Akshouhinis of unique strengh and of Mastery of Crookedness and Maya!  Such powerful Rakshasas uprooted Indra, created a fresh Swarga with modern facilities, controlled Lokapalakas, PanchaBhutas, Tri Murtis, and finally approached a Woman to lead! The Rakshasa warriors included Kutilaaksha, Durmnada kuranda, Karanka, Kaalavaasita, Vajradanta, Vajramukha, Vajraloma, Vikata, Vikataasana, Karaalaaksha, Karkataka, Dirgha Jihva, Humbaka, Karkasha, Pulkasa, Pundraketu, Jrumbhakaaksha, Tikshna shringa, Yamantaka, Atimaya, Ulukajitat, Kujvilaashwya, Attahasa, Mushaka, and Kumbhotkacha.

Bhandasura’s Associates exterminated: Lalitha Devi sounded her ‘Pataka Dhwani’ or the Sound of The Fluttering Flag as a mark of attack and Bhandasura responded with his ‘dundhibhis’ or war drums which deafened the Three Worlds. As a trail exercise, Kutilaksha commenced the Operation with ten lakh Akshouhinis and Sampadkari Devi attacked Durmada and in the first round there were casualities with an edge to Durmada. Sampakari showed her red eyes and in no time the Stree Shaktis extinguished  the well trained oppposition and even before the re-fill arrived Durmada was killed. Kutilaksha shouted on Sapatkari and said that there was no great reason to celebrate the  initial sacrifice which normally assessed the depth of the opposition; so saying, Kutilaksha attacked by a  horseback appearing once in  the  Raksasha camp and suddenly opposite the Devi’s camp; while on one side, Kutilaksha and Samvasraswati were grappled with each other, Kuranda faced Samatkari.The latter put up such an encounter that the rapidity of each other’s arrows covered up Surya and the clash of  their Astras provided illumination to periodically dispel darkness! Finally, Kuranda fell and Bhandasura realised the Shaktis meant business!  Karanka and five Daitya Senapatis were then despatched who created a ‘Rana Maya’called Sarpini which created poisonous flames and showered serpents but Nakuleshwari Shakti utilised Garudaastra and also showered Mongooses. As Karanka and five other Senapatis were destroyed, Bhandasura and Kutilaksha instructed Seven more Senapatis to face the attack from the side of Devi; these Senapatis were all born to Rakshasi Keekasa  (born of Bones) and were named Baalaka, Soochi Mukha, Phaalamukha, Vikarna, Vikataanana, Karaalaayu and Karataka.The Sapta Senapatis were asked to proceed with three hundred Akshouhinis of army to attack Lalita Devi directly. But the invincible Shaktis displayed their penchant for blood-drinking and apart from the Sapta Senapatis the massive army was destroyed.  Vishanga the brother of Bhandaasura entered the battle and surreptitiously went under Lalitha Devi’s chariot and managed to hit his arrow on her hand fan. Kameswari and Tithi Nityaa Shaktis were highly infuriated and Kameswari told in a rather apologetic tone to Devi that since her chariot was fully secured by Maha Mantra Shaktis, the Rakshasaas were trying to use their Maya in the night to make an entry from the rear side under the chariot’s wheel and now the Shaktis viz. Vanivaasini, Jwaalaamaalini would then display their power. Then the Nitya Shaktis aimed their arrows and killed countless Daityas ; Kameswari killed Damana, Bhagamala shot straight into the Senanayaka Dirghajihva, Nityaklinna annihilated  Humbeka, Bherunda Shakti thrashed Hulumallaka, Vahni vaasaa Shakti crushed Kaklusa, Maha Vajreswari Shakti   destroyed Kesivahana, Shivaduti Shakti sent Plukasa to Yamapuri, Twarita cut Pundraketa into pieces; Kulasundari smashed Chandabahu, and so on. The villian who started the Adharma Yuddha viz. Vishanga tried to escape but Kameswari Devi caught him by his neck and tore off  his Kavacha with her sharp nails and in the process he escaped narrowly but Kameswari let him off as a retreating timid was not fair to run after and what was more the night was just entering the early morning hours. There were floods of blood and unbearable smell of putrid dead bodies all over. Devi Lalita instructed Jwaalamaalini to encircle the entire area with flames to make the army of Bhandasura and also clean up the mess of dead bodies of his army. Her chariots were lifted up the Mahendra Mountain while Dandini Shakti remained on the left of Kiri Chakra Ratha, Shyamala Devi was in the southern side, in the North was Sampadeswari and in the front Hayasana was present. As Bhandasura’s sons were asked to attack and display their prowess, Bala Shakti of nine years of age requested Devi to please let her play with the sons of Bhanda along with a fresh battalion of two hundred akshouhinis and Lalita smiled  and consented. Bala Shakti uprooted the progeny of Bhandasura and wiped out the army despatched afresh.  At this juncture Bhandasura was not only agitated but demoralised. Vishukra  then set up a Maha Yantra and made a desperate bid when Ganesha saluted Lalita and took her permission to face the Maha Jaya Yantra as conceived by Vishukra. Gajasura arrived to operate the Most Potent Yantra. MahaVighna Nayaka took  the forms of Six Vighna Nayakaas viz. Aamoda, Pramoda, Sumukha, Durmukha, Arighna and Vighna karta and each of these were the Chiefs of crores of ‘Herambas’; these six forms of Ganesha and the crores of Herambas moved ahead of him and their mere  ‘Hunkaaraas’ wiped out akshouhinis of Daityas, while the power of their trunks destroyed the remnants. Ganesha himself attacked Gajasura and killed him even as Vishukra who invented the so called Jaya Yantra was destroyed into smitheerens. An undaunted Bhandaasura was nodoubt frustrated and humiliated but the show had to go on and hence sent his brothers Vishukra Vishangas. Vishukra was so notorius that Trilokas were shivering at one stage and he was the Yuvaraja / successor of Bhandaasura. Both the brothers planned to attack Devi together instead of dividing themselves in two directions. Lalita Devi consented that  Mantrini Dandini might take the onslaught of the brothers. Mantrini was for all practical purposes the Maha Raajni Lalita herself! All the associated Shaktis of Mantrini were in such inspired disposition as their morale was sky-high; some alighted horses, some were in chariots and others mounted elephants. Shyama Shakti provoked  Vishukra; Nakuli Devi fought with  Vishu, Maha Maya Kunti with Peshu, Bhauravi with Madada, Laghu Shyama with Kushura, Swapnesi with Mangala, and so on. Vishukra released Trishaastra which made all the Shaktis highly thirsty and the army of Lalita had tough time to cope up the situatation. Dandini prayed to Sura Samudra and the intoxicated Shaktis were joyfully killng the Daityas with redoubled excitement. The Trishastra instead of creating thirst of water thus ended up in the thirst of Madhu and the Devi Sena had a glorious time in killing the Daityas with redoubled vigour and adventurism! Danda Nayika encountered both the brothers together and hit Vishanga with a ‘hala’( plough)  and Vishukra with ‘Musala’(mace).

Bhandasura exterminated: With the death of his dear brothers, sons and Senapatis and army of several akshouhinis, Bhandasura was crestfallen and depressed; yet, he proceeded with Kutilaaksha and thirty five Senanayakas and two hundred and eighty five Akshouhinis of army; excepting one woman in Shunyaka Nagari, his Head Quarters, the entire population went fight in the final battle. He alighted his huge chariot drawn by  lions; countless of his army members had little space to travel by Bhumi and had to fly on the sky. Soon on spotting Devi Lalita, he despatched the Astra of ‘Andhataamishra’ and she retalliated it with ‘Vishwaavasaastra’ / ‘Suryaastra’ and blunted his arrogance. He threw ‘Antakaastra’ and Devi replied it with the Astra of Maha Mrityunjaya. He used ‘Sarvastra Smriti’ and she destoyed it with Dharana / Medhaastra. Bhanda utilised Bhayastra to frighten Shaktis but Amba used ‘Aindraastava’ to relieve fears. The Asura used Maha Rogastra and she sent back ‘Naama Trayaastra’ which released the resounding voices of ‘ Achyuta-Ananda-Govinda’ along with ‘ humkaara’ sounds.  Bhanadasura threw at her the ‘Ayushnaasha’ or Life Destroying Arrow, and Devi replied that Astra with ‘Kala Sankarshini’ or Life Extending Astra. The desperate Bhandasura then forwarded Maha-Asura-Astra which was the super-combination of the energies of several notorious Asuras like Madhu-Kaitabha, Mahishaasura, Dhumralochana, Chanda-Mundeswara, Chikshibhu, Chamara, Rakta beeja, Shumbha-Nishumbha, Kalakeya, Dhumra and so on. There were ‘Hahaakaaras’from the Devi Sena and the combined strength of various Asuras was too overwhelming. Devi then laughed boisterously and materialised Durga who was the Composite Form of all Devaas; Maha Deva provided to her a mighty ‘Shula’, Vishnu his Sudarshana Chakra, Varuna his conchshell, Agni his heat and radiance, Vayu a bow and arrows, Indra his Vajraayudha, Kubera his chashaka or drinking vessel, Yama his Kala Danda, Maha Danda, and Paasha; Brahma his Kamandalu or vessel, Iravata his bell, Mritya Devata her Khadga and metal resistor, Samudra his ‘haara’ or necklace, and Vishwakarma gifted ornaments.

Then Devi Lalita assumed various forms: as Durga  she was in full form of unusual splendour; as Narayani she alighted a Simha Vahana and fought; and she destroyed Mahashasura as Chandika as described in ‘Durga Saptashati’. Bhandasura released ‘Mookaastra’ and Devi in turn created the Astra of ‘Vakvaadini’. He used Vedaapaharana Astra and she met it with her right hand thumb! Bhanda’s ‘Arnavaastra’ created huge flows of gushing water  which was arrested  by  an Adi Kurma of yojana’s height and width as created by Devi’s right hand’s pointing finger. Bhanda sent an Astra called Hairanyaaksha which created thousands of ‘Hiranyakshas ‘and Devi created Maha Varaaha from her right hand middle finger who destroyed them all. An infuriated Bhanda produced crores of Hiranyakashipus but an unperturbed Devi frowned from where emerged Prahladaas and Nrisimha Rupas  from her right ring finger who were like Pralaya Rudras laying the Hiranya kashipus on the Deva’s lap and pulled out his intestines and blood. Similarly Devi Lalita created Vamana Devas  from her right hand little finger to control Balendras; Parashu Ramas to kill Kartaveerarya-  arjunas from her left hand thumb; Shri Rama  to destroy the ten headed Ravana and Kumbhakarna and Lakshmana to kill Indrajit and  from Devi’s  left pointing finger; Balarama from materialised from Devi’s left middle finger to kill Asuras; Vaasudeva was created by the left hand ring finger of Lalita Devi and he terminated countless Rajaasuras and other Rakashasaas like Kamsa, Sishupaala, Dantavaktra, Poundraka, Shambara, Pralamba, Narakasura, Banaasura and so on and thereby reduced the weight of Evil on Bhumi and from her left hand little finger created Kali Deva who ended up Huna-Yavana- Kirataka and others. As all the Evil Forces were uptooted by Durga Devi thus, Devi Lalitamba liquidated Bhandasura’s Senapatis with Narayanaastra and finally only Bhandasura was left out. She then released ‘Maha Kameshwaraastra’ which had the extraordinary radiance and energy of thousand Suryas and ultimately the greatest menace in Tri Lokaas was demolished; the Sunyaka Nagari was burnt off with the flames of the Kameswarastra and thus the Dwiteeya Swarga which Bhandaasura created sixty thousand years ago was turned into heaps of ashes; and so did Bhandasura  whom Ganesha materialised from the ashes of Manmatha as a play! With the termination of Maha Bhanda, Devas celebrated with resonant sounds of Celestial Drums and showers of flowers from Swarga and they were re-installed in their original positions. Whosoever reads or hears the Legend of Lalita Devi’s victory over Bhandaasura would become fearless; they would attain Siddhis, Bhakti, Shakti, Arogya, Keerti , Aishwarya and Mukti  ! At the huge relief that Tri Lokas came to experience, Brahma-Vishnu-Rudras-Indra and Devas-Adityaas-Vasus- Maruds- Sadhya Devatas-Siddha-Kimpurusha-Yaksha-Nishaachara-Daityas felt so gladdened in their hearts and Maha Devi Lalita sat on a Golden Throne looking relaxed  and satisfied; there was a fresh wave of hope, virtue, courage, confidence and happiness began again to all the Beings with relief and fulfillment. Brahma and others made a spontaneous Commendation at the Victory of Maha Raajni Lalita Devi.

Victory Commendation and revival of Manmatha: Brahma then introduced Rati Devi the widow of Manmatha  and requested her to terminate her widow-hood and Lalita Devi readily agreed to do so and asked her to be bathed and dressed up as a ‘Sumangali’ with chandana-kumkuma, flowers and ornaments. Manmatha got revived. Devi bestowed boons to him saying that from the hair roots of his body he would materialise crores of Manmathas for ever and that  he would ensure all the married couple to  get marital satisfaction for ever;  those who blame him would fail in their marriage unions and males turn out to be impotent and females turn out as frigid and barren. The Nava Manmatha was further blessed by Devi that Maha Deva would renounce Vairagya and would be so fond of Parvati that he did not leave her thus acquiring the epithet of ‘Arthanaareswara’  Manmatha’s Senaani was Chandra, and Peetha mardakas were ‘Raaga’ or sweet musical notes, Mandanalaya or provocative winds and the sweet cooing of Kokila or Koel.
