Tripurasura : Asuras Of The 3 Cities Of Tripura
Tripurasura is a group of three powerful asura brothers: Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali. Their father, Tarakasura, was defeated by Kartikeya, after which the brothers built three cities and launched attacks on the devas. Ultimately, they were vanquished by Lord Shiva.
Origins and Background of Tripurasura
Taraka had three sons: the eldest was Tarakaksha, the middle one was Kamalaksha, and the youngest was Vidyunmali. All three were equally strong. When Taraka passed away, they went to Mount Meru to meditate. Over time, they intensified their meditation. They kept at it for thousands of years, hoping to please Lord Brahma. Finally, Brahma appeared before them, accompanied by sages, gods, and demons, and offered them a boon.
“Grant us invincibility,” the brothers requested, “so no one can harm us. Make us immune to aging, death, and sickness. We want to be immortal!”
“Immortality is impossible,” Brahma explained. “Everyone eventually dies. Birth and death are natural. Please ask for something else.”
After some thought, the brothers asked for magnificent cities to live in, surpassing even those of the gods. Tarakaksha wanted a golden city, Kamalaksha a silver one, and Vidyunmali requested one made of iron. They also asked for their cities to align every thousand years to form a city called Tripura. Brahma granted their request with a condition: the only way they could die was if someone destroyed all three cities with a single arrow during alignment. Then Brahma departed.
“Grant us invincibility,” the brothers requested, “so no one can harm us. Make us immune to aging, death, and sickness. We want to be immortal!”
“Immortality is impossible,” Brahma explained. “Everyone eventually dies. Birth and death are natural. Please ask for something else.”
After some thought, the brothers asked for magnificent cities to live in, surpassing even those of the gods. Tarakaksha wanted a golden city, Kamalaksha a silver one, and Vidyunmali requested one made of iron. They also asked for their cities to align every thousand years to form a city called Tripura. Brahma granted their request with a condition: the only way they could die was if someone destroyed all three cities with a single arrow during alignment. Then Brahma departed.
The Three Cities of Tripurasura
Brahma then instructed Maya, the architect of the asuras, to construct three cities: one made of gold in the heavens, one of silver in the sky, and one of iron on earth. Maya followed Brahma’s instructions and built the cities. Soon, the Tripurasuras moved into their new homes, each in their respective city. The cities were lavish, adorned with palaces, flying chariots, majestic animals, gardens, and many other marvels. They were bustling with inhabitants, including Asuras and learned Brahmins. The three brothers dwelled in their cities, ruling happily for many years.
The Prayer of the Gods
Indra and the gods grew anxious seeing the prosperity of the three asuras and their cities. They expressed their concerns to Brahma, who chuckled and replied, “It is Shiva who is destined to end them, not me. I granted them prosperity. Pray to Lord Shiva, and he will decide.”
Following Brahma’s advice, Indra and the gods went to Shiva’s abode, bowed down, and praised him. They explained, “Lord Shiva, Tripurasura has defeated us. The three worlds are under their control. We cannot bear to witness their prosperity. Please help us.”
Shiva responded, “I understand your pain. The three brothers are powerful and meritorious. They worship the Shiva Linga and study the Vedas. They have not committed any wrong, so I cannot kill them.”
Dejected, the gods sought help from Lord Vishnu, explaining their dilemma and Shiva’s response. Vishnu, unsure of what to do, advised them to perform a sacrifice. Thousands of Bhutas (ghosts) armed with deadly weapons emerged from the sacrifice. Vishnu commanded them to attack the city, but upon entering, the Bhutas were reduced to ashes. The survivors reported the failure to Vishnu.
In deep thought, Vishnu shared, “The Asuras are truly virtuous. As long as they remain righteous, they cannot be destroyed. To defeat them, we must turn them unrighteous. Return to your abodes, gods. I will handle this task myself.”
Following Brahma’s advice, Indra and the gods went to Shiva’s abode, bowed down, and praised him. They explained, “Lord Shiva, Tripurasura has defeated us. The three worlds are under their control. We cannot bear to witness their prosperity. Please help us.”
Shiva responded, “I understand your pain. The three brothers are powerful and meritorious. They worship the Shiva Linga and study the Vedas. They have not committed any wrong, so I cannot kill them.”
Dejected, the gods sought help from Lord Vishnu, explaining their dilemma and Shiva’s response. Vishnu, unsure of what to do, advised them to perform a sacrifice. Thousands of Bhutas (ghosts) armed with deadly weapons emerged from the sacrifice. Vishnu commanded them to attack the city, but upon entering, the Bhutas were reduced to ashes. The survivors reported the failure to Vishnu.
In deep thought, Vishnu shared, “The Asuras are truly virtuous. As long as they remain righteous, they cannot be destroyed. To defeat them, we must turn them unrighteous. Return to your abodes, gods. I will handle this task myself.”
The False Religion
To disrupt the righteousness of the three Asura brothers, Vishnu created a man named Arihat from his mind. Arihat appeared bald, dressed in dirty clothes, carrying a wicker vessel and cotton roll. He approached Vishnu and asked, “Who am I, and what is my purpose?”
“You are born from me, and your name is Arihat. You’ll have other names too. Your task is to create a deceitful scripture opposing the Vedas. Ensure its language is immoral and simple. Then, preach this philosophy in the cities of Tripurasura, leading them away from righteousness and towards their demise,” Vishnu commanded.
Arihat then created four identical disciples. After learning illusion techniques from Vishnu, they journeyed to the three cities. Arihat reached a garden near Vidyunmali’s city and began using his magic. Vishnu sent Narada to assist Arihat. Together, they devised a plan. Narada, having joined Arihat’s cult, approached King Vidyunmali.
“A revered ascetic is preaching a new philosophy in your city. Seeing his virtue, I have joined his cult,” Narada informed the king.
Impressed, Vidyunmali followed suit. Soon, his brothers and their subjects joined too. Arihat and his disciples introduced the Asuras to the new religion, criticizing charity and rituals while promoting adultery and non-Vedic practices. Deluded, the Asuras embraced this ideology. The once righteous cities descended into chaos and immorality, fulfilling Arihat’s mission.
“You are born from me, and your name is Arihat. You’ll have other names too. Your task is to create a deceitful scripture opposing the Vedas. Ensure its language is immoral and simple. Then, preach this philosophy in the cities of Tripurasura, leading them away from righteousness and towards their demise,” Vishnu commanded.
Arihat then created four identical disciples. After learning illusion techniques from Vishnu, they journeyed to the three cities. Arihat reached a garden near Vidyunmali’s city and began using his magic. Vishnu sent Narada to assist Arihat. Together, they devised a plan. Narada, having joined Arihat’s cult, approached King Vidyunmali.
“A revered ascetic is preaching a new philosophy in your city. Seeing his virtue, I have joined his cult,” Narada informed the king.
Impressed, Vidyunmali followed suit. Soon, his brothers and their subjects joined too. Arihat and his disciples introduced the Asuras to the new religion, criticizing charity and rituals while promoting adultery and non-Vedic practices. Deluded, the Asuras embraced this ideology. The once righteous cities descended into chaos and immorality, fulfilling Arihat’s mission.
The Destruction of Tripurasura
When Tripurasura turned to evil, Vishnu, Brahma, and the gods approached Mount Kailash, pleading with Shiva to annihilate the wicked Asuras. They invoked his name and beseeched him to destroy Tripura.
“Very well, I shall dismantle the cities. But I need a divine chariot, a skilled charioteer, as well as a bow and an arrow. Prepare these, and then I shall wage war,” Shiva replied.
Vishwakarma crafted a fitting chariot for Shiva, entirely fashioned from gold. He also fashioned a bow and arrows for the Lord.
Bhudevi (Mother Earth) became the golden chariot.
The Sun and Moon served as the wheels of chariot.
The Six Seasons were the rims of the wheels.
The 4 Vedas were the Horses of the chariot.
The Clouds constituted the banners of the chariot.
Brahma became the Charioteer.
Mount Meru became the bow.
Vasuki (Shiva’s Snake) became the string of the bow.
Lord Vishnu became the arrow.
Agni (Fire God) became the tip of the arrow.
The entire army charged towards the cities of Tripurasura. The gods led the way, followed by the Shivaganas armed with various weapons. In the heart of the formation rode Lord Shiva in his chariot. Upon reaching the designated location, Shiva halted, waiting for the alignment of the three cities. When the moment arrived, urged by the gods, Shiva drew his bowstring and unleashed the arrow. Crafted from Vishnu and Agni, the arrow blazed towards Tripura, reducing the cities to ashes. Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, Vidyunmali, and their Asura followers perished in the flames. Virtually nothing remained untouched except for one individual: Mayasura.
“Very well, I shall dismantle the cities. But I need a divine chariot, a skilled charioteer, as well as a bow and an arrow. Prepare these, and then I shall wage war,” Shiva replied.
Vishwakarma crafted a fitting chariot for Shiva, entirely fashioned from gold. He also fashioned a bow and arrows for the Lord.
The entire army charged towards the cities of Tripurasura. The gods led the way, followed by the Shivaganas armed with various weapons. In the heart of the formation rode Lord Shiva in his chariot. Upon reaching the designated location, Shiva halted, waiting for the alignment of the three cities. When the moment arrived, urged by the gods, Shiva drew his bowstring and unleashed the arrow. Crafted from Vishnu and Agni, the arrow blazed towards Tripura, reducing the cities to ashes. Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, Vidyunmali, and their Asura followers perished in the flames. Virtually nothing remained untouched except for one individual: Mayasura.
Aftermath
Witnessing the mighty display of Lord Shiva, the gods were filled with awe and admiration. They praised him wholeheartedly, and Shiva, pleased with their devotion, offered them a boon. “Lord, if you’re pleased, grant us the boon that whenever we face adversity, you will alleviate it,” the gods prayed. Shiva granted their request.
Meanwhile, Maya, having survived the destruction, approached Shiva and expressed his devotion. Delighted, Shiva granted Maya’s request for unwavering devotion and instructed him to reside in Vitala Loka with his family and relatives.
With the granting of boons and the restoration of order, Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, and the gods returned to their respective realms, bringing peace back to the universe.
Meanwhile, Maya, having survived the destruction, approached Shiva and expressed his devotion. Delighted, Shiva granted Maya’s request for unwavering devotion and instructed him to reside in Vitala Loka with his family and relatives.
With the granting of boons and the restoration of order, Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, and the gods returned to their respective realms, bringing peace back to the universe.
