LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
भण्डासुरेन्द्र निर्मुक्त शस्त्र प्रत्यस्त्र वर्षिणी (79)
Bhandasurendra Nirmukta Shastra Pratya-astra Varshini (79)
Meaning:
In response to the weapons thrown at her by Bhandasura, Devi is counter-attacking by raining missiles.
Interpretation:
Here we come across two types of weapons used by Devi - Shastra and Astra.
The difference between Shastra and Astra is described in the Dhanurveda. Shastra is that which one strikes his enemies and it is always held in the hand while Astra is that which is discharged by the hand like the arrow of a bow.
The Shastras (also known as Ayudha) held by Devi in her hands are (i) Ikshu Dhanus (Bow made of sugarcane (ii) Five arrows, (iii) Pasha (noose) and (iv) Ankusha (a special hook).
The Battle with Bhandasura:
It was the fourth day of the battle. Direct flight between Devi Lalithambika and Bhandasura started. They shot astras at each other. Bhandasura used an astra called Andhatamisrakam which was broken by Devi with an adtra called Mahatarani. Lalitambika's Gayatryastra was destroyed by Pashandastra shot by Bhandasura. The demon shot Andhastra at the Shakti Sena to destroy the eyesight of the soldiers of the army. Devi nullified it with Chakshushmati astra.
Devi Lalitambika destroyed Bhandasura's Shakti Nasha astra with Vishwavasu astra, Antaka astra with Mrityunjaya astra, Sarva Shastra Smriti Nasha astra with Dharana astra and so on.
Bhandasura then employed Rogastra. Thousands of deadly diseases spread out of it. Devi counter-attacked it with the highly powerful Nama-Traya-Astra named after the three names of Lord Vishnu - Achyuta, Anantha, Govinda.
Author's Notes:
Devi putting into use so many different kinds of weaponories should be understood in a different way. Bhandasura is nothing but a storehouse of evil forces. And so is our mind. It's full of negative energies and is stubborn in nature.
While the lips of a devotee might be chanting the one thousand holy names (LSN) of Devi, due to lack of concentration, other organs of the body such as eyes, mind, thoughts etc. might be engaged in a different process, different action. It's not the fault of the devotee but an inbuilt character in him which can be overcome only by meditation.
In order to cleanse our mind and get it cleared of all the negative energies, we need the powerful blessings of the Devi. That's why it is mentioned as Devi herself coming down to face Bhanda in the battle and shoots astras at him to negate all his astras. The idea of Devi's shooting of astras, therefore, should be interpreted as Devi removing all the negative energies in the minds of her devotees and replacing them with her Supreme Bliss.
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