NITAAI-Veda.nyf > Compiled and Imp Scriptures > Shrimad Bhagavatam > Canto-7 > Tripuri |
Tripurari.
Next, to show how Lord Shiva, whose
reputation became reduced by Maya Danava, derives his prowess from Lord
Krishna, Narada related to King Yudhisthira the following history.
Once, long ago, when the demons were
defeated in battle by the demigods, they took shelter of Maya Danava, a great
technological wizard. Maya Danava then constructed three dwellings (tri-pura),
which resembled airplanes- out of gold, silver and iron. Equipped with all
kinds of paraphernalia, these residences allowed the demons to remain
invisible, and so, taking advantage of this, they began conquering the three
worlds.
When the demigods saw how the demons were
engaged in destroying the higher planetary systems, they approached Lord Shiva
for shelter. Fully surrendering unto him, the demigods prayed, “Dear lord, we
are about to be vanquished. Because we are all your faithful followers, please
save us from this dangerous situation.”
Lord Shiva then reassured the demigods
by saying, “Do not be afraid” and thereafter, he released his arrows at the
demons’ three residences. Lord Shiva’s golden arrows were like fiery beams
emanating from the sun, and upon being struck by them, all of the demons were
killed. Maya Danava threw the bodies of the slain demons into a well of nectar
that he had made, however, and as a result, all of the demons immediately came
back to life. Indeed, having become much more powerful, so that their bodies
were now immune to the attack of thunderbolts, the demons rose up like
lightning that penetrated the clouds. Upon seeing this, Lord Shiva became very
aggrieved and disappointed and so Lord Vishnu began to consider how the
nuisance created by Maya Danava could be stopped.
Thereafter, Lord Brahma became a calf and
Lord Vishnu, a cow, and at noon, they entered tri-pura and drank all of the
nectar in the well. The demons could perceive this, but due to the action of
the Lord’s illusory energy, they could not forbid the cow and calf to drink the
nectar. When Maya Danava saw what was
happening, he considered it to be an act of providence, and so he told the
demons, “What has been destined by the Supreme Lord cannot be undone anywhere
or by anyone, whether he be a demigod, demon, or human being.”
After this, Lord Krishna, by His personal
potency, equipped Lord Shiva with a chariot, driver, flag, horses, bow, shield,
and arrows. Being thus provided with all of the necessary paraphernalia, Lord
Shiva mounted his chariot and at noon, set fire to all three residences of the
demons with his arrows. Upon seeing the destruction of tri-pura, the demigods,
whose airplanes were stationed in the sky, joyfully beat upon their celestial
drums and showered flowers upon Lord Shiva’s head. Thereafter, Lord Shiva, who
thus became known as Tripurari, returned to his own abode after being worshiped
by all of the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma.