68.CHAKRA RAJA RATHA ROODA SARVAYUDHA PARISHRIDHA She who is fully armed and rides in the Srichakra chariot with nine stories
This line indicates that the goddess is armed with tools and weapons. The essence of beauty and bliss, she resembled the hibiscus in complexion, wore robes of pomegranate-red and ornaments of all types, bearing noose, goad, sugarcane-bow and five shining arrows in her four hands. The gods chanted the praises of this Kamakshi, Kameshi, Kali, celebrating her as Mother Shri Lalita. The goddesses Durga, presiding deity of all mantras, and Shyama, presiding deity of all lores, joined Shri Lalita.Commanded by Brahma, Vishvakarma built a wondrous city on the spot. Brahma pronounced that by herself a woman could not rule over a kingdom. She needed a consort to be complete. Since she embodied love itself, Shankara alone could suit her. As Brahma mused thus, Maheshvara manifested in the form of Kameshvara, a million times more attractive than the god of love. The goddess garlanded him and was given in marriage by Vishnu. The Devas presented them with various weapons and ornaments.
Thereafter, Lalita Devi set out to conquer Bhanda. Out of her goad emerged the goddess Sampatkari, sword in hand, mounted on the elephant Kanakakolahala. From Lalita Devi’s noose emerged the swiftly moving deity Ativaritavikranti seated on the horse Aparajita, holding in her four hands the noose, the goad, the cane and the horse’s bridle. They were joined by the boar-faced Shakti Krodhamukhi leading an army carrying palm-leaf fans set with diamonds and dark Mantranayika on a chariot. Alighting from the elephant Shri Dandanatha mounted the lion Vajraghosha whose thunderous roar deafened the four quarters. From the parrot carried on the hand of dark Mantranayika (whose other names are Sangitayogini and Shukapriya), the science of archery emerged to hand over the bow Citrajiva and inexhaustible quivers. Lalita Devi moved ahead on a huge chariot on whose ninth step ten Siddhi Devis of china rose complexion were stationed (Anima, Mahima, Laghima, Garima, Ishita, Vashita, Prapatisiddhi, Prakamyashiddhi, Muktisiddhi and Sarvakama, each holding the Chintamani, skull, trident and collyrium. There were also eight Shaktis: Brahmi, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahendri, Chamunda and Mahalakshmi, each holding skull and lotus, red in complexion and in red garments. Above them were the Mudradevis with two hands, expressing mystical gestures, resembling pomegranate flowers and dressed in yellow robes. In two arms they held shields and swords.
Each had her name preceded by “sarva”: Samkshobini, Vidravini, Karshanakrinmudra, Vashankari, Madnanamudra, Mahankushayashti, Khecharika, Bija, Yoni, Trikhandika. Above them were the 16 digits of the moon with secret names, resembling the coral tree, with four arms holding swords, shields, bows and arrows and three eyes each. On the seventh step were the Gupta Taras, with the lustre of the china Rose, each of whose names was preceded by “Ananga”: Madana, Madanatura, Lekha, Vega, Ankusha, Malangi, holding sugarcane bow, flowery arrows, bouquets of flowers and lotuses. Then were the Sampradayas on the sixth step who had risen from the ashes of Kama, wielding fiery bows and arrows, lustrous like the fire of death, each name preceded by “Sarva”: Samkshobini, Vidravini, Karshanika, Hladanika, Sammohini, Stambhana, Jrimbhana, Unmadana, Arthasadhika, Sampattipurani, Mantramayi and Dvandvakshayankari. On the fifth step were the ten Kulottirnas like crystals, holding axe, noose, mace, bell and gems. Their names, preceded by “Sarva” are: Siddhiprada, Sampatprada, Priyankari, Mangalakarini, Kamaprada, Duhkhavimochini, Mrityuprashamini, Vighnanivarini, Angasundari, Saubhagyadayini. On the fourth step were the benevolent Nigarbhayoginis of pearly lustre, whose names preceded by “Sarva” are: Yajna, Shakti, Aishvaryaprada, Jnanamayi, Vyadhivinashini, Dharasvarupa, Papahara, Anandamayi, Raksharupini and Ipsitaphalaprada. Each held the thunderbolt, javelin, iron club and discus. On the third step were the eight Rahasyayoginis, deities of speech, lustrous like the red Ashoka, holding bows and arrows, encased in armour, also carrying lutes and books: Vashini, Kameshi, Bhogini, Vimala, Aruna, Javini, Sarveshi and Kaulini. On the second step were three goddesses, with eight arms holding bows, arrows, drinking bowl, fruit, dagger, shields, noose and a bell: Kameshi, Vajreshi, Bhagamalini. On the step in the centre of the chariot were fifteen deities, all round on the Anandamahapitha, the great seat of bliss, who are eternal, resembling Lalita in forms and weapons: Kameshi, Bhagamala, Nityaklinna, Bherunda, Vahnivasini, Mahavajreshvari, Druti, Tvarita, Kulasundari, Nitya, Nilapataka, Vijaya, Sarvamangala, Jvalamalinika and Chitra.
Shridevi or Lalita’s favourite was Sangitayogini also called Mantini, deity of music, riding in the chariot Geyachakra on whose first step sat Mantini. On the second step were Rati, Priti and Manoja holding lutes and bows, dark like the Tamala tree. On the third step were the deities of Kama’s arrows: Dravini, Shoshini, Bandhini, Mohini and Unmadini with five gods named Kamaraja, Kandarpa, Manmatha, Makaradhvaja and Manobhava, glowing like the Palasha flower. On the fourth step were Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Rati, Priti, Kirti, Shanti, Pushti and Tushti, the eight Kumaris, holding lances and discus. On the fifth step were sixteen deities: Vama, Jyeshtha, Raudri, Shanti, Shraddha, Sarasvati, Shribhushakti, Lakshmi, Shrishti, Mohini, Paramathini, Ashvasini, Vichi, Vidyunmalini, Surananda and Nagabuddhika, lustrous like the ruby, covered in armour, holding thunderbolt, baton, shataghni and bhushundika. On the sixth step were the Bhairavas with trident and drinking bowl: Asitanga, Ruru, Chanda, Krodha, Unmattabhairava, Kapali, Bhishana, Samhara. On the seventh step were Matangi, Siddhalakshmi, Mahamantangika and Mahati holding bows and arrows. With them were the heads of Ganas, Kshetrapa, Durgamba and Batuka along with Lakshmi, Sarasvati and the treasures Shanka and Padma. On the same step were the ten deities of the quarters holding thunderbolt, spear, Kala’s staff, sword, noose, pennant, mace, trident, missile of darbha grass and the discus.
Thereafter, Lalita Devi set out to conquer Bhanda. Out of her goad emerged the goddess Sampatkari, sword in hand, mounted on the elephant Kanakakolahala. From Lalita Devi’s noose emerged the swiftly moving deity Ativaritavikranti seated on the horse Aparajita, holding in her four hands the noose, the goad, the cane and the horse’s bridle. They were joined by the boar-faced Shakti Krodhamukhi leading an army carrying palm-leaf fans set with diamonds and dark Mantranayika on a chariot. Alighting from the elephant Shri Dandanatha mounted the lion Vajraghosha whose thunderous roar deafened the four quarters. From the parrot carried on the hand of dark Mantranayika (whose other names are Sangitayogini and Shukapriya), the science of archery emerged to hand over the bow Citrajiva and inexhaustible quivers. Lalita Devi moved ahead on a huge chariot on whose ninth step ten Siddhi Devis of china rose complexion were stationed (Anima, Mahima, Laghima, Garima, Ishita, Vashita, Prapatisiddhi, Prakamyashiddhi, Muktisiddhi and Sarvakama, each holding the Chintamani, skull, trident and collyrium. There were also eight Shaktis: Brahmi, Maheshvari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahendri, Chamunda and Mahalakshmi, each holding skull and lotus, red in complexion and in red garments. Above them were the Mudradevis with two hands, expressing mystical gestures, resembling pomegranate flowers and dressed in yellow robes. In two arms they held shields and swords.
Each had her name preceded by “sarva”: Samkshobini, Vidravini, Karshanakrinmudra, Vashankari, Madnanamudra, Mahankushayashti, Khecharika, Bija, Yoni, Trikhandika. Above them were the 16 digits of the moon with secret names, resembling the coral tree, with four arms holding swords, shields, bows and arrows and three eyes each. On the seventh step were the Gupta Taras, with the lustre of the china Rose, each of whose names was preceded by “Ananga”: Madana, Madanatura, Lekha, Vega, Ankusha, Malangi, holding sugarcane bow, flowery arrows, bouquets of flowers and lotuses. Then were the Sampradayas on the sixth step who had risen from the ashes of Kama, wielding fiery bows and arrows, lustrous like the fire of death, each name preceded by “Sarva”: Samkshobini, Vidravini, Karshanika, Hladanika, Sammohini, Stambhana, Jrimbhana, Unmadana, Arthasadhika, Sampattipurani, Mantramayi and Dvandvakshayankari. On the fifth step were the ten Kulottirnas like crystals, holding axe, noose, mace, bell and gems. Their names, preceded by “Sarva” are: Siddhiprada, Sampatprada, Priyankari, Mangalakarini, Kamaprada, Duhkhavimochini, Mrityuprashamini, Vighnanivarini, Angasundari, Saubhagyadayini. On the fourth step were the benevolent Nigarbhayoginis of pearly lustre, whose names preceded by “Sarva” are: Yajna, Shakti, Aishvaryaprada, Jnanamayi, Vyadhivinashini, Dharasvarupa, Papahara, Anandamayi, Raksharupini and Ipsitaphalaprada. Each held the thunderbolt, javelin, iron club and discus. On the third step were the eight Rahasyayoginis, deities of speech, lustrous like the red Ashoka, holding bows and arrows, encased in armour, also carrying lutes and books: Vashini, Kameshi, Bhogini, Vimala, Aruna, Javini, Sarveshi and Kaulini. On the second step were three goddesses, with eight arms holding bows, arrows, drinking bowl, fruit, dagger, shields, noose and a bell: Kameshi, Vajreshi, Bhagamalini. On the step in the centre of the chariot were fifteen deities, all round on the Anandamahapitha, the great seat of bliss, who are eternal, resembling Lalita in forms and weapons: Kameshi, Bhagamala, Nityaklinna, Bherunda, Vahnivasini, Mahavajreshvari, Druti, Tvarita, Kulasundari, Nitya, Nilapataka, Vijaya, Sarvamangala, Jvalamalinika and Chitra.
Shridevi or Lalita’s favourite was Sangitayogini also called Mantini, deity of music, riding in the chariot Geyachakra on whose first step sat Mantini. On the second step were Rati, Priti and Manoja holding lutes and bows, dark like the Tamala tree. On the third step were the deities of Kama’s arrows: Dravini, Shoshini, Bandhini, Mohini and Unmadini with five gods named Kamaraja, Kandarpa, Manmatha, Makaradhvaja and Manobhava, glowing like the Palasha flower. On the fourth step were Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Rati, Priti, Kirti, Shanti, Pushti and Tushti, the eight Kumaris, holding lances and discus. On the fifth step were sixteen deities: Vama, Jyeshtha, Raudri, Shanti, Shraddha, Sarasvati, Shribhushakti, Lakshmi, Shrishti, Mohini, Paramathini, Ashvasini, Vichi, Vidyunmalini, Surananda and Nagabuddhika, lustrous like the ruby, covered in armour, holding thunderbolt, baton, shataghni and bhushundika. On the sixth step were the Bhairavas with trident and drinking bowl: Asitanga, Ruru, Chanda, Krodha, Unmattabhairava, Kapali, Bhishana, Samhara. On the seventh step were Matangi, Siddhalakshmi, Mahamantangika and Mahati holding bows and arrows. With them were the heads of Ganas, Kshetrapa, Durgamba and Batuka along with Lakshmi, Sarasvati and the treasures Shanka and Padma. On the same step were the ten deities of the quarters holding thunderbolt, spear, Kala’s staff, sword, noose, pennant, mace, trident, missile of darbha grass and the discus.
On the chariot Kirichakra rode Dandanatha, boar faced, dark complexioned. On the second step were Jrimbhini, Mohini and Stambhini with pestle, plough and liquor pot. On the third step were five deities led by Andhini seated on the Devi yantra. On the fourth step were six deities led by Brahmi. Beneath them were the seven Dhatunathas: Yakshini, Shankhini, Lakini, Hakini, Shakini, Dakini and another Hakini ready to consume the seven ingredients of the body. Krodhini and Stambhini fanned with chowries on the same step flanked by plough and pestle. The terrible lion Chandocchanda stood before Dandanatha with three eyes. On the sixth step were eight deities led by Vartali: Varahi, Varahamukhi, Andhini, Rodhini, Jrmimbhini, Mohini and Stambhini with a dusky white buffalo on their left to carry Dandanatha. Beneath them were Indra and the other guardian deities of the cardinal points. On the wheel were Jrimbhini, Stambini and Mohini presiding over the Northwest. At the end of the step was Kshetrapala holding skull and mace, damaru and serpent noose. Beneath them were ten Bhairavas: Hetuka, Tripurari, Agnibhairava, Yamajihva, Ekapada, Kala, Karalaka, Bhimarupa, Hatakesha and Achala.
This is the scene which brings us to the spot where the war between devi and banda takes place.The weapons that she carries is the basic concept of hindu life.
1. Believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.
2.Believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion.
3.Believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.
4.Believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.
5.Believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be deprived of this destiny.
6.Believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments and personal devotionals create a communion with these devas and Gods.
7.Believe that an enlightened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry, meditation and surrender in God.
8.Believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in thought, word and deed.
9.Believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are facets of God's Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.
2.Believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion.
3.Believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.
4.Believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.
5.Believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be deprived of this destiny.
6.Believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments and personal devotionals create a communion with these devas and Gods.
7.Believe that an enlightened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry, meditation and surrender in God.
8.Believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in thought, word and deed.
9.Believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are facets of God's Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.
So she holds these principles in her hand to lead us into the path of enlightenment.All these weapons are not used to destroy mankind but to destroy our fanatism, ego, selfishness, karma, greed etc.in man and makes a good human being.
The nine storeyed chariot which holds the different goddess is the manifestation of our life.as we conquer each step in our life we move closer to the goddess and she removes all obstacles as we move a step towards her is rightly seen in the steps in which the dieties have taken their places.
