LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
किरिचक्र रथारूढ दण्ड नाथा पुरस्कृता (70)
Kirichakra Ratharudha Danda Natha Puraskrita (70)
Meaning:
Devi Danda Natha rides in a chariot called Kirichakra which was presented to her by Lalitha Devi.
Interpretation:
Here Kiri means pig / boar / Varaham and the Devi is also addressed as Varahi. In fact it is her prime name and because she is always seen carrying a stick (dandam), she has come to be known as Dandanatha.
Not only the Devi's face, but also her chariot is in the shape of varaham says Lalithopakhyanam.
Devi Lalithambika created Varahi from the set of five arrows she is carrying and made her the Commander in Chief of her army. She is on an equal status with Mantrini, the Prime Minister and the two are considered next in line to Devi Lalithambika.
The boar faced Devi is depicted in sitting posture, seated on a lotus, with her right leg folded and left leg on the ground. In her six hands she is sern holding the Shankh and Chakra (of Maha Vishnu), Danda (stick), Hala (plough), Kadga and Pasa. The other hands are in vara Mudra and Abhaya Mudra. Her vahanam is the buffalo.
The Battle with Bhandasura:
It was the third day of the battle. We have already seen how the two brothers of Bhandasura, Vishanga and Vishukra decided to remain united and attack the Devi sena.
In the front of the Devi sena stood Dandanatha mounted on her Kirichakra ratha and holding her plough weapon (halayudha) she was seen swirling it rapidly. Behind her was Mantrini devi.
Varahi, being the Commander, was very skillful and knew the art of warfare thoroughly. She was an expert in destroying an entire Akshouhini (a military unit) at one go. She was very swift in her moves and could attack from all sides and at times could raise in the sky to make aerial attacks. She caused severe damage to Bhanda's army.
Dandanatha / Varahi attacked Vishunga and Mantrini devi confronted Vishukra.
Varahi finally killed Vishunga by hitting him with the plough and, as already mentioned in yesterday's write up, Mantrini ended the life of Vishukra. (Please refer to the clarification below).
Varahi's name also finds mention in the Devi Mahatmyam especially in the chapters devoted to killing of the demons Shumbha, Nishumbha and Raktabeeja.
Clarification:
In the Lalithopakhyanam, where a detailed narration of the battle is given, it is clearly mentioned that it was Dandanatha / Varahi who killed Vishunga and Mantrini who killed Vishukra. However in the LSN, it is the other way round - Varahi killed Vishukra and Mantrini killed Vishunga.
Vishukra prana harana Varahi viryanandita
Mantrinyanba virachita Vishanga vadha toshita
Readers may please note the difference in the two versions.
Author's Note:
Varahi Devi is a night goddess and is always worshipped only at night. There is a famous, exclusive temple for the Devi at Chaurasi, near Konark, in Odisha. Another temple of the Devi is located in the middle of the Phewa lake in Nepal.
During the month of Ashadha (Aadi in Tamil), a nine day festival called Ashada Navarathri is celebrated at the Brihadeeswara temple Thanjavur. It is considered very auspicious to worship Varahi Devi on the 18th Day of Aashada (Aadi) month.
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