Tripurantaka

 ( Forms Of Shiva ) 

Tripurantaka () or Tripurari is a manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva. This form of the deity is featured in a Puranas legend in which he destroys the three cities of the , called Tripura, with a single arrow.

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Legend According to the Padma Purana, the asura Taraka had three sons named Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha (or Virayavana), and Vidyunmali. These asura princes performed severe penance towards the creator-god Brahma and obtained the boon of immense power. Brahma, on being pleased with them, presented each of them with an aerial fortress revolving in the sky, one each of gold, silver, and iron built by Mayasura.

Suresh Chandra (1998). 9788176250399, Sarup & Sons. . ISBN 9788176250399

The boon granted the provision that they would reign for a millennium and could be destroyed only by an arrow that could merge the three forts into one, and set them ablaze. The asuras, armed with this boon, wreaked havoc on the universe. The asuras well-entrenched in their aerial cities would mount attacks on the devas (gods) and the (sages), and harass them. Ultimately, the gods and the sages approached Shiva, pleading for his assistance in removing this menace. Shiva refused as they were not engaging in undue harm. Vishnu sent in a head shaved man and his four disciples, who versed in anti vedic philosophies and acts,to the brothers to convert to Anti-Vedic, abandoning the worship of the lingam.

Nanditha Krishna (2007). 9789351181446, Penguin UK. . ISBN 9789351181446

Seeing that the asuras had engaged in sinful acts, Shiva created a bow and an arrow and a chariot with the various gods and goddesses and components of the universe. His chariot was the Prithvi itself, his wheels were the Surya and the Chandra, his bow was Mount Meru with Vasuki was its string. With Brahma as the charioteer, he sped across, and shot a single arrow of fire, representing Vishnu. The cosmic arrow destroyed the three cities.

Shiva immediately regretted his decision to release the arrow, since he had forgotten to protect Maya, a great devotee of his. Realising this, Nandi raced ahead of the arrow and informed Maya of the impending doom. Instantly, Maya fled Tripura, leaving behind the great city he had constructed, which was immediately reduced to ashes, along with its inhabitants, the asuras, by the great arrow of Shiva. This destruction of Tripura, led to the appellation Tripurantaka, for Shiva.

The legend is also featured in the Yajurveda:

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Significance Stella Kramrisch's full analysis of the Tripurasamhara episode appears in Chapter XI.3 of her book, The Presence of Siva Princeton, in the section on "Cosmic Demons."

S. Kramrisch (2021). 9780691224220, Princeton University Press. . ISBN 9780691224220

In one part, Kramrisch speaks of the story as having "the body of man for its scene":

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Iconography Tripurantaka is usually portrayed as an archer with Chaturbhuja,

Margaret Stutley (2019). 9780429624254, Routledge. . ISBN 9780429624254

his third (right arm) carrying the Trisula, while the fourth (left) holding the damru, in the other two he holds the pinaka bow releasing the pashupatastra missile on Tripura.

The earliest form of this can be seen in Pattadakal (belonging to Badami Chalukya period, 6-7 AD). Rashtrakutas also followed the same features as can be seen in Ellora, Kailasanatha Temple. Tripuranthakeshwara  temple at Balligave is built by Kalyana Chalukyas.  During Hoysala period, this story was presented in more detail and with beautiful ornamentation as can be seen in Hoysala temples at Javagal and Hosa Holalu. During this period, representing Tripurasura in 3 circular patterns began. This style is carried on by Vijayanagara sculptures and painters. One can see this depiction in murals at Virupaksha temple at Hampi.

In Hindu art, Tripurantaka is seen as a giant person of light showering light at the darkness which is known as "the destroyer of evil and darkness".

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Festivals Tripurantaka had various festivals, mainly he is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, which falls under the month of Kartika. He is also worshiped on Maha Shivaratri as an important manifestation of Shiva.

Devotees offer prasad which are Hindu sacred offerings to the deity, Tripurantaka prayers are usually done on the day of Rudra which he is seen as the protector of the universe.

An image of Tripurantaka is enshrined at Tiruvatikai near Chidambaram. The Veeratteswarar temple here is one of the eight Veerata sthalas celebrating Shiva as the destroyer of evil forces. Tripurantaka is also enshrined at Tiruvirkolam (Koovum) near Chennai.

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See also

• Tripura (mythology)
• Tripurantaka Temple

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Sources

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend () by Anna Dallapiccola
• Encyclopedia of Hinduism – Volumes on Shiva Ed. by Dr. Nagendra Kr. Singh ()

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