LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM - Namah # 74

LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM 

         @ S. Subramaniam

भण्डपुत्र वधोद्युक्त बाला विक्रम नन्दिता (74)

Bhandaputra Vadhodyukta Bala Vikrama Nandita (74) 

Meaning:

Devi Lalithambika is happy / cheerful to see Bala (Bala Tripura Sundari) scoring victories over the sons of Bhandasura and killing all of them. 

Interpretation:

Bala Tripura Sundari is mentioned as the daughter of Devi Lalithambika and is believed to be of Nine years of age perpetually. In the Bhandasura Yuddham, she convinces her Mother, enters the battlefield and destroys all the thirty sons of Bhandasura.

According to some scholars, Bala Tripura Sundari is no different from Lalithambika and it is the Devi herself in the form of a young girl. She is believed to have been born out of Devi's heart and is always seen seated near the feet of Lalithambika. She is also known by the name Kumarika. 

The Battle with Bhandasura

Bhanda then called upon his sons and instructed them to proceed to the battlefield. They were thirty in numbers and were mighty with huge, vigorous physical bodies and heroism on a par with their father.

On hearing that the sons of Daitya Bhanda the chief of whom was Chaturbahu (eldest son) had come for fighting, Bala, the daughter of Devi Lalitha also showed interest to enter the battlefield. 

Devi was initially reluctant but later conceded to her daughter's request. 

She took off one of her armours and several weapons and gave them to her. She created a palanquin from her bow to which hundreds of swans were yoked for drawing.

Seated inside the palanquin, the virgin rushed at the wicked sons of Bhanda and commenced the war where haughtiness and feats of exploits were displayed. 

Though Kumarika had only one single physical form she appeared differently to each one of those thirty sons of Bhanda discharging miraculous missiles hitting and injuring them. 

Finally, she pulled out the Narayana  Astra that destroyed not only all the thirty sons of Bhanda but also their entire akshauhini. On hearing the news about the excellent work of the arms of her daughter, Lalithambika derived great pleasure. 

Adi Shankara has composed the Tripura Sundari Ashtakam in praise of Devi Bala Tripura Sundari. 

Author's Notes

Worshipping Devi in her form of Bala Tripura Sundara is considered extremely pious and will bestow upon the devotee benediction of the highest order. 

No Devi worship is complete without the worship of young virgin girls. Virginity is the purest form and Kumari worship is considered most auspicious and the highest respects that one can offer, not only to Devi Maa but also to the entire female fraternity. During the nine day Navratri festival, Day 8 is exclusively dedicated to Kumari puja. 

अष्टवर्षाभवेद्गौरीदशवर्षाचकन्यका।

सम्प्राप्तेद्वादशेवर्षेकुमारीSत्यभिधीयते।।

Ashta varsha Bhaved Gauri Dasha varsha cha Kanyaka. Sampropte Dwadashe varshe Kumari Athya Abhidheeyathe  says the scriptures.

 The above verse classifies different categories of virgins: A female child is called Gouri at the age of eight, Kanya  at the age of ten and Kumari  at the age of twelve. The scriptures advocate worshipping virgins. 

Hinduism is a wonderful faith and is vast and huge like an ocean. One has to dig deep into it to collect the pearls of wisdom. 

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