Tripurari is a one of the many names of Lord Shiva in Hinduism.
रथः क्षोणी यन्ता शतधृतिरगेन्द्रो धनुरथो।
रथांगे चन्द्रार्कौ रथ-चरण-पाणिः शर इति।।
दिधक्षोस्ते कोऽयं त्रिपुरतृणमाडम्बर विधिः।
विधेयैः क्रीडन्त्यो न खलु परतन्त्राः प्रभुधियः।।
This is Sanskrit shloka describing Lord Shiva as Tripurari explained as :
To destroy the three cities (created by the sons of demon Tarakasur), you ( Lord Shiva) made the Earth the chariot, Brahma the charioteer, the Sun and the Moon the two wheels, Mount Meru the bow and took Lord Vishnu’s arrow. O Lord Shiva! What was the need for this great purpose?
For you, merging the entire world is a very small thing. Why do you need any help? You only played with the powers (under your control), you performed leela.
Introduction
According to ancient Hindu texts, Lord Shiva, took the role of destroyer of Evil and defeated the demon Tripurasura. Hence, given name Tripurari. The word “Tripurari,” meaning “the conqueror of Tripura.” This name symbolizes Lord Shiva’s role as the vanquisher of evil and the protector of the cosmic order.
Significance of Tripurari in modern times
The legend of Lord Shiva as Tripurari continues to resonate today, embodying the eternal victory of good over evil and the power of righteousness.
In our modern world, “Tripurari” symbolizes the ability to conquer negative forces—whether they arise from within, like greed, anger, and ignorance, or from the outside, like injustice and corruption—through unwavering strength, wisdom, and divine guidance.
Indeed, Lord Shiva as Tripurari inspires us to face our inner demons and external challenges with resolve and moral clarity. This timeless story encourages us to find balance and harmony, reminding us of the inner strength and spiritual focus needed to navigate life’s complexities today.
What is the story behind Tripurari?
According to the Shiv Purana, there was a demon named Tarakasur who had three sons: Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyunmali.
Tarakasur, a powerful demon, disrupted the harmony of the universe with his actions. He had a boon that only the son of Lord Shiva could kill him, leading to his defeat by Lord Kartikeya. After Kartikeya vanquished Tarakasur, his sons, grief-stricken, undertook intense penance to seek the favor of Lord Brahma.
In their quest for revenge against the gods, Tarakasur’s sons sought a boon from Lord Brahma when he appeared before them. They initially requested immortality, but as this could not be granted, Brahma asked them to choose another wish. The three brothers then asked for three powerful and magnificent cities to be built for them. They desired to roam the Earth through the sky in these cities and meet at a single point every thousand years. They added a condition: when their three cities aligned as one, only a god capable of destroying them with a single arrow could be the cause of their death.
Lord Brahma bestowed a powerful boon upon Tarakaksh, Kamalaksh, and Vidyunmali, who rejoiced upon receiving it. Following Lord Brahma’s instructions, Maya Danav constructed three cities for them—one of gold, one of silver, and the last of iron. Tarakaksh ruled the city of gold, Kamalaksh the city of silver, and Vidyunmali the city of iron. United in their strength, the trio conquered the three worlds.
Terrified by the demons, the gods, including Indra, sought refuge with Lord Shiva. Upon hearing their plea, Lord Shiva agreed to vanquish the Tripuras. Vishwakarma then crafted a divine chariot for Lord Shiva, with the Moon and Sun as its wheels, and the gods Indra, Varun, Yam, and Kuber serving as its horses. The Himalayas formed the bow, and Sheshnag served as its string. Lord Vishnu became the arrow, with Agnidev as its tip.
When Lord Shiva mounted the divine chariot to annihilate the Tripuras, the demons were thrown into a state of panic. A fierce battle erupted between the demons and the gods. As soon as the Tripuras aligned, Lord Shiva unleashed a divine arrow that obliterated them. With the destruction of the Tripuras, the gods erupted in praise for Lord Shiva. He is revered as Tripurari, the destroyer of the Tripuras.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lord Shiva’s decisive action in mounting the divine chariot and vanquishing the Tripuras restored balance to the cosmos. The fierce battle and the subsequent destruction of the demon cities by Shiva’s divine arrow were pivotal in alleviating the threat posed by the Tripuras. The gods’ gratitude and praise for Shiva, who earned the title Tripurari, highlight his crucial role in triumphing over evil and preserving cosmic harmony.
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