Tripura Sundari
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Tripura Sundari, also called Shodashi, Lalita (lit. "She Who Plays"[1]) and Rajarajeshvari, is one of the group of ten goddesses of Hindu Belief, and these goddesses are collectively called mahavidyas. The other nine mahavidyas are Kali, Tara, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamalatmika.
The goddess Tripura Sundari in her aspect as Shodasi is represented as a sixteen-year-old girl, and is believed to embody sixteen types of desire. The Shodasi Tantra, a treatise on the Tantra, describes Tripura Sundari as "the radiant light in the eyes of Shiva". She is described as being of dusky color, and is depicted in an intimate position with an aspect of Shiva. The couple are shown on a bed, a throne, or a pedestal resting on the significant male gods of Hinduism like Brahma, Visnu, Rudra, and Indra.
The Indian state of Tripura derives its name from the goddess Tripura Sundari. Her main temple, the Tripura Sundari temple is also located on top of the hills near Radhakishorepur village, a little distance away from Udaipur town. Kashmiri Pandits have a collection of five ancient hymns, collectively known as Panchastavi [1], that were composed ages ago in praise of Tripura Sundari. These ancient hymns still remain very popular among this community.
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[edit] References in Hindu literature
Tripura Sundari is described in great detail as extremely attractive, beautiful, and erotically inclined.
The Lalitha Sahasranama details her charms from head to foot, and the most part of the Saundaryalahari is similarly occupied with her attractive appearance. She is often said to give desire and to suffuse the creation with desire. She is called Tripura, in as much as Her Body consists of three Saktis, viz. Brahma, Vaisnavi and Raudri.
The Tripura Sundari Ashtakam by Adi Shankaracharya describes her as a Mother, her nourishing breasts akin to mountain peaks that give birth to rivers. She is described wearing a blue dress with red spots, holding a pot of honey, her eyes quivering with intoxication.
Tripurasundari combines in her being Kali’s determination and Durga’s charm, grace and complexion. She has a third eye on her forehead. Usually four-armed and clad in red, the richly bejewelled Tripurasundari sits on a lotus seat laid on a golden throne. She carries in her hands various Shaivite attributes. An aura of royalty characterised her overall bearing and ambience.
[edit] See also
[edit] Further reading
- Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions (ISBN 81-208-0379-5) by David Kinsley
[edit] References
- ^ Frawley, David: "Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses", page 89. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, reprint 2005
- Kinsley, David (1997). Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahavidyas. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-0520204997.
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