३० त्रिंशदशकः - श्रीपार्वत्यर्तारः

30 trimshadashakah' - shreepaarvatyavataarah'
( this story can be read in skanda 7 chapter 31 0f devi bhagavatham)

(In Devi Bhagavata Purana, Parvati is the lineal progenitor of all other
goddesses. She is worshiped as one with many forms and names.
Her form or incarnation depends on her mood. For example:
Durga is a demon-fighting form of Parvati, and some texts suggest
Parvati took the form of Durga to kill the demon Durgama-asur.
Durga is worshiped in nine forms called the Navadurga. Each of the
nine aspects depicts a point in the life of Parvati. She as Durga is also
worshiped as the slayer of the demons Mahishasura, Shumbha and
Nishumbha. She is worshipped as Ashtabhuja Durga in the state of
Bengal, and as Kanakadurga in the state of Telangana.
Shakhambari & Satakshi are two of the forms Parvati assumed in
order to defeat Durgamasura. The former is the Goddess of
vegetables and organic food, while the latter is said to have
replenished the earth's water bodies with Her tears during a great
drought.
Mahakali is the most ferocious form of Parvati, as the goddess of
time and change, representing raw power and courage, and the
ultimate dissolution. Kali is the chief of the Dasha Mahavidya, a
pantheon of ten Goddesses who like the Navadurgas are
incarnations of Parvati. Kali is worshiped as Bhadrakali in the south
and as Dakshina Kali in the north. She is worshiped as Mahakali all
over India. She is a member, and also the source of Tridevi. She is the
feminine aspect of Parabrahman, as she is the progenitor of all
primal energies. She is the active form of Adishakti. She represents
tamo guna, and she is beyond the three gunas, in that she is the
material form of the void darkness in which the universe comes to
exist, and in the end, everything dissolves into her. She is the "Kriya
Shakti" of the Trishakti, and the source of the other Shaktis. She is
the Kundalini Shakti that resides deep within the core of every
existing life form.
In the form of female shaktis of various major male deities, Devi
manifests as Sapta-matrikas: Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari,
Indrani, Varahi, Kaumari, Chamunda (or Ashtamatrikas when
depicted along with Narasimhi/Pratyangira, Vinayaki being an
additional matrika. Varuni, Yami have also been suggested to be part
of this pantheon sometimes.
Tripura Sundari, despite being the 2nd Mahavidya is the most
worshiped form of Parvati right after Kali and Durga. The Lalita
Sahasranama is a collection of the 1000 names of Parvati and is used
in Her worship in the Sri Vidya sampradaya of Tantra.
Bala Tripurasundari, the child form of the goddess, representing the
playful and innocent nature of children, as well as their ceaseless
potential.
Brahmari Devi is the six legged bee incarnation of Parvati, which she
assumed to kill the demon Arunasura, according to the Devi
Bhagavata Purana.
Nanda Devi/Ekanamsha is the daughter of the cowherd Nanda and
his wife Yashoda. Parvati/Yogamaya/Vishnumaya was born as their
daughter in the Dvapara yuga to protect Her brother Lord Krishna
and admonish the demon Kansa. She is famously worshiped as
Vindhya-Vasini.
Kaushiki, sometimes addressed as Chandika is a manifestation of
Parvati; she is black in color, has eight arma and rides a lion, she is
worshipped with the famous Devi Suktam and Narayani Stuti. She is
the main deity of the Devi Mahatmyam, considered to be the most
important Shakta text. It is read privately or in huge gatherings every
Navaratri in Her honor.
52 Shakti Peethas suggests all goddesses are expansions of the
goddess Parvati. Each of the peethas were formed when a part of
Goddess Sati's body fell on earth. Sati being the previous incarnation
of Parvati isn't separate from Her.
There are multiple local goddesses called Grama Devis who are
worshiped in famed temples all across India. Many of them are
believed to be the incarnations of Parvati. These are all regional
manifestations of the Divine Mother, often invoked to protect the
village from epidemics and famine.
Meenakshi, the Goddess with eyes shaped like fishes. She is the
Queen of Madurai and is said to have been born to the devout
childless queen and king of the region. She was born with 3 breasts,
which were prophesied to disappear when She would meet Her
husband-to-be. Eventually, She met Shiva and returns to Kailasa as
Parvati.
Kamakshi, Goddess of love and devotion. She is indifferent from the
Goddess Tripura Sundari
Vishalakshi, the Goddess who awaits Her beloved. Her temple is in
Varanasi where with ever opened eyelids, she waits for Her husband,
Lord Shiva.
Akhilandeshwari, found in coastal regions of India, is the goddess
associated with water.
Annapurna is the representation of all that is complete and of food.
Parvati is said to have assumed this form to teach the inhabitants of
Kailasa the value of food. She resides in Kashi as the wife of Lord
Vishwanatha.
Kanya Kumari, the ever virgin Goddess. According to lore, the demon
Banasura could only be killed by a virgin girl. To facilitate his death
(since he had begun harassing man and god alike), Parvati was born
as Sri Kumari or Sri Bala Bhadrakali. She waits at the southern tip of
India, waiting for Her groom Lord Shiva to marry her.)

समाधिमग्ने धिरिशे धिरिञ्चात्

तपः प्रसन्नात्किल तािकाख्यः ।
दै त्यो ििं प्राप्य धिधित्य दे िान्
सबान्धिः स्विगसुखान्यभुङ्क्त १ ॥
samaadhimagne girishe virinchaat
tapah'prasannaatkila taarakaakhyah' .
daityo varam praapya vijitya devaan
sabaandhavah' svargasukhaanyabhunkta 1 ..
1.When Lord Shiva was in the state of Samadhi, Lord Brahma pleased
with the tapas of an asura called Tharaka, gave him a boon and he
won over the devas and along with his relations enjoyed the
pleasures of heaven.
As soon as sati left her body, shiva started meditating. He reached a
state of samadhi. At that time an asura named taraka, pleased
brahma with his tapas and got a boon; he invaded heaven and drove
out the devas from there; he stayed in heavens along with his
relatives and enjoyed all the pleasures of heaven.

ििै ः स भिौिसपुत्रमात्र-
िध्यत्वमाप्तोऽस्य च पत्न्यभािात् ।
सिाग धिपत्यं स्वबलं च मोहान्-
मत्तो भृशं शाश्वतमेि मेने ॥ ३०-२॥
varaih' sa bhargaurasaputramaatra-
vadhyatvamaapto'sya cha patnyabhaavaat .
sarvaadhipatyam svabalam cha mohaan-
matto bhri'sham shaashvatameva mene .. 30-2..

2. That asura, got a boon, that he can be killed only by a son of shiva.
And that asura intoxicated by ignorance, thought that Shiva does not
have a wife, that his power of being master of everything is stable.
Only a son born of shiva can kill tarakasura. Thus, thinking that asura
asked for the boon from brahma. Those days, shiva did not have a
son. He was immersed in sorrow after losing sati and was in a state
of samadhi. In such a state shiva can never get married; hence no
son will be born to him. The asura assumed that all the power that
he gets will be permanent. Thus, thinking like this he became
arrogant.

नष्टात्कखलाः श्रीहिये सुिास्ते

धनिेदयामासुिशेषदु ः खम् ।
स चाह दे िा अनये न नून-
मुपेक्षते नो िननी कृपार्द्ाग ॥ ३०-३॥
nasht'aakhilaah' shreeharaye suraaste
nivedayaamaasurasheshaduh'kham .
sa chaaha devaa anayena noona-
mupekshate no jananee kri'paardraa .. 30-3..

3.The Devas who had lost everything, informed about all their
sorrows to Lord Vishnu. He thus said, “Oh Devas, it is due to only our
ill-luck, that the merciful mother has neglected us.”
The devas who had lost everything, took refuge at the feet of Vishnu.
He said,’ the devi-mother-is very compassionate. But to gain that
compassion of devi we are not doing what we are supposed to do.
Because of which, for the time being devi is not paying attention to
our problems. The mother feels that we have abandoned her. It is
not that she is bereft of mercy. It is just that we don’t qualify for her
blessings.

तधिस्मृतेिाग तधमदं किे ण

यष्ट्या च या ताडयधत स्वपुत्रम् ।
तामेि बालः स धनिेष्टदात्रीं
सास्रं रुदन्मातिमभ्युपैधत ॥ ३०-४॥
tadvismri'terjaatamidam karena
yasht'yaa cha yaa taad'ayati svaputram .
taameva baalah' sa nijesht'adaatreem
saasram rudanmaataramabhyupaiti .. 30-4..

4. This has happened because we have forgotten the Goddess; a

child approaches with tears in his eyes, that same mother who beats
him with her hands and sticks, that same mother also provides in
plenty all that he wants.
Vishnu continues,’ you have forgotten that merciful mother. Because
of which mother is punishing us, mothers in order to correct their
children do punish them; beat them with sticks and bare hands. The
child whose body is paining because of the beating, will cry out to
that same mother. The child knows that it is the mother who will give
him everything that he needs. He also knows that that he was beaten
up because of his naughtiness. The child has nobody but his mother.
You are the children; devi is the mother.

माता धह नः शत्कतरिमां प्रसन्नां

कुयाग म भक्त्या तपसा च शीघ्रम् ।
सिाग पदः सैि हरिष्यतीधत
श्रुत्वामिास्त्ां नुनुिुमगहेधश ॥ ३०-५॥
maataa hi nah' shaktirimaam prasannaam
kuryaama bhaktyaa tapasaa cha sheeghram .
sarvaapadah' saiva harishyateeti
shrutvaamaraastvaam nunuvurmaheshi .. 30-5..

5. Mother is our only power. So, we should try to please her

immediately, by devotion as well as meditation. Devi only will
destroy all our dangers. Hearing this the Devas stating praying to
you.
Vishnu continues,’ you all should meditate on devi and please her.
Then devi will remove all dangers we are facing’. Everybody realised
that what Vishnu said was correct. They have understood devi’s
merciness by experience. With eloquent words they started praying
to devi.

धनशम्य तेषां श्रुधतिाक्यिभग -

स्तुधतं प्रसन्ना धिबुिां स्त्मात्थ ।
अलं धिषादे न सुिाः समस्तं
िाने हरिष्याधम भयं र्द्ुतं िः ॥ ३०-६॥
nishamya teshaam shrutivaakyagarbha-
stutim prasannaa vibudhaamstvamaattha .
alam vishaadena suraah' samastam
jaane harishyaami bhayam drutam vah' .. 30-6..

6. Hearing their prayers full of Vedic sentences, the pleased goddess

told the devas like this, “Oh Devas, stop sorrowing as I know
everything, I will destroy your fear quickly.’
The devi was pleased hearing their prayers which was combined with
sentences from the vedas. She gave her word that she would end the
feras of the devas immediately.

धहमाधर्द्पुत्री धिबुिास्तदर्थं
िायेत िौिी मम शत्कतिे का ।
सा च प्रदे या िृषभध्विाय
तयोः सुतस्तं धदधतिं च हन्यात् ॥ ३०-७॥
himaadriputree vibudhaastadartham
jaayeta gauree mama shaktirekaa .
saa cha pradeyaa vri'shabhadhvajaaya
tayoh' sutastam ditijam cha hanyaat .. 30-7..

7. Oh Devas, for purpose of bringing end to your fears, one of my

sakthis called Gauri will be born as the daughter of Himavaan. We
have to give that Sakthi to Lord Shiva. Their son would kill that
Asura.”
Devi is clarifying how the devas fears can be removed. One of devi’s
shakti called gauri will be born as the daughter of himavaan. That
shakti should be given to shiva. A son will be born to them. That son
will kill tarakasura.
It has been mentioned earlier how shiva and Vishnu disrespected
their respective shaktis and became immobile. (check chapter 28) to
get a solution to that problem the devas prayed to devi. the devi was
pleased hearing their prayers and said that one of her shakti’s will be
born in the house of Daksha. To satisfy daksha’s request devi said
like that, then. Devi did as she had said. Shiva got his shakti back.
One of her shakti’s will be born as himavaan’s daughter, was said by
devi only out of mercy. This blessing was not asked by himavaan.
This was a blessing which was given suddenly.
इत्थं धनशम्यास्तभयेषु दे िे-
ष्वभ्यधर्थगता दे धि धहमाचलेन ।
त्वं िणगयन्ती धनितत्त्वमेभ्यः
प्रदशगयामाधसर्थ धिश्वरूपम् ॥ ३०-८॥
ittham nishamyaastabhayeshu deve-
shvabhyarthitaa devi himaachalena .
tvam varnayantee nijatattvamebhyah'
pradarshayaamaasitha vishvaroopam .. 30-8..

8.Hearing this the devas gave up their fear and at that time as per
the request of Himavan, you explained to him your true philosophy,
and She showed (to himavaan and the devas) her universal form.
The thought that devi will be born as his daughter, himavaan
became anxious. Will he make the mistake of taking advantage of
devi as she is his daughter-this is what made him anxious. If I know
the divine truth of devi then I will not make this mistake. Himaavaan
requested devi to teach him her philosophy. With devas also
standing and listening, devi explained her philosophy. In devi
bhagavatham, skanda 7, chapters 32-40 (9 chaps), it is explained
in detail. This portion is known as devi gita.
On hearing devi’s omnipresence, the devas wanted to see her
universal form. She showed it to them.

सहस्रशीषं च सहस्रिक्त्रं
सहस्रकणं च सहस्रनेत्रम् ।
सहस्रहस्तं च सहस्रपाद-
मनेकधिद् युत्प्रभमु ज्ज्वलं च ॥ ३०-९॥
sahasrasheersham cha sahasravaktram
sahasrakarnam cha sahasranetram .
sahasrahastam cha sahasrapaada-
manekavidyutprabhamujjvalam cha .. 30-9..

9.She showed them her very great lustrous form, having thousand
heads, thousand faces, thousand eyes, thousand ears, with thousand
hands and thousand legs, and with a lustre equivalent to many
lightnings.
The reflection of just 1 sun can be seen in many waterbodies.
Similarly devi is present in all living things as a spirit. What we say as
jivaatma is nothing but a reflection of this energy. Hence, we can say
that devi has total control over all living things. How many ever
hands and legs are there in this world are all devi’s; that is why we
say devi has thousands of heads. Thousands means infinite, never-
ending. A lustre that is equivalent to the brightness of a 100
lightening, what a sight!

दृष्ट्वेदमीश्वयगत्कखलैधभगयोता
त्वं चोपसं हृत्य धििाट्स् स्वरूपम् ।
कृपािती स्मेिमुखी पुनश्च
धनिृधत्तमािं धििये न्यिादीः ॥ ३०-१०॥
dri'sht'vedameeshvaryakhilairbhiyoktaa
tvam chopasamhri'tya viraat'svaroopam .
kri'paavatee smeramukhee punashcha
nivri'ttimaargam giraye nyagaadeeh' .. 30-10..

10. oh! Devi, when they got scared on seeing this form, as per their
desire, you hid, your universal form and appeared, with a merciful
smile and told them, about the path of salvation.
All of them got scared on seeing devi’s universal form, they
requested devi to hide that form. The merciful devi hid that form.
Once again, she assumed the form with a smiling face and started
talking. Devi spoke to himavaan with the devas listening. Devi
explained in detail about meditation, knowledge, duties, and
devotion. This included the extremely secretive brahma jnaanam and
the gigantic ways to worship her forms.

उक्त्वाऽत्कखलं संसृधतमुत्कतमािं
सुिेषु पश्यत्सु धतिोदिार्थ ।
श्रुत्वाऽधर्द्मुख्यास्ति िीतमुच्चैि्
दे िा िपध्यानपिा बभूिुः ॥ ३०-११॥
uktvaa'khilam samsri'timuktimaargam
sureshu pashyatsu tirodadhaatha .
shrutvaa'drimukhyaastava geetamuchchair
devaa japadhyaanaparaa babhoovuh' .. 30-11..

11. After teaching them all methods to get salvation from this world,
while the devas were seeing her, that Goddess disappeared.
Himavan and other devas, after hearing your advice, engaged
themselves in chanting and worshiping thee.
Devi explained in detail all the methods of how to get freedom from
this material world. Himavaan and others heard all the advice with
concentration. While everybody was watching devi disappeared.
Himavaan and others started to meditate, chant etc. though
himavaan is a mountain he is considered to be a god.

अर्थैकदा प्रादु िभूत्किमार्द्ौ

शातं महो दक्षिृहे यर्था प्राक् ।
क्रमेण तद्दे धि बभू ि कन्या
सा पािगतीधत प्रधर्थता िित्सु ॥ ३०-१२॥
athaikadaa praadurabhooddhimaadrau
shaaktam maho dakshagri'he yathaa praak .
kramena taddevi babhoova kanyaa
saa paarvateeti prathitaa jagatsu .. 30-12..

12.Then afterwards just like what happened earlier in the home of

Daksha, a powerful luster was seen in the himalayas. Gradually it
turned itself into a girl child. That girl later became world famous
with the name of Parvathi.
Earlier we had learned how a lustre was seen in the house of Daksha
and how it had got transformed into a girl. (check the 29th chapter).
Same thing was repeated once again. This time it happened in the
Himalaya. The lustre turned into a girl child and became famous by
the name Parvathi.

धहमाधर्द्णैषा च हिाय दत्ता

तयोः सुतः स्कन्द इधत प्रधसिः ।
स तािकाख्यं धदधतिं धनहत्य
ििक्ष लोकानत्कखलान् महे धश ॥ ३०-१३॥
himaadrinaishaa cha haraaya dattaa
tayoh' sutah' skanda iti prasiddhah' .
sa taarakaakhyam ditijam nihatya
raraksha lokaanakhilaan maheshi .. 30-13..

13.This Devi was given to Lord Shiva by Himavan. Their son became
famous with the name Skanda. Oh Maheshwari! he killed the asura
called Tharaka and saved the entire world from his atrocities.
A son born to Siva only could kill taraka asura-that was the boon
bestowed upon him. Siva married Himavan’s daughter Parvathi. A
son named Skanda was born to them-He is the one who killed
Taraka asura also.
It had been mentioned earlier (in the 29th chapter) how Shiva had
attained a state of samadhi after having gone into depression after
the self immolation of Sati. How did he then get married? The
answer to this question is in the word “mahishi”(Maheshwari).
Making a weak person strong and a strong person weak is all in the
hands of devi.

दु िाग ससः शापबले न शक्रो

नष्टात्कखलश्रीिगचनेन धिष्ोः ।
क्षीिोदधिं सासुिदे िसङ्घो
ममन्थ तस्मादु दभूच्च लक्ष्ीः ॥ ३०-१४॥
durvaasasah' shaapabalena shakro
nasht'aakhilashreervachanena vishnoh' .
ksheerodadhim saasuradevasangho
mamantha tasmaadudabhoochcha lakshmeeh' .. 30-14..

14.Indra who had lost all his wealth and prosperity due to a curse by
Sage Durvasa, as per advice of Lord Vishnu, churned the ocean of
milk along with the asuras and devas. As a result of that churning,
there arose Goddess Lakshmi.
It was mentioned earlier (in chapters 28, 29) how shiva and Vishnu
lost all their powers and how shiva got back his powers. Now we are
going to tell the story of how Vishnu got back his powers.
Long ago shiva worshipped the feet of Vishnu with flowers. As a
prasadam, one flower was given to sage durvasa. That flower
durvasa gave to Indra. indra who was intoxicated with wine, put that
flower on the head of his elephant airavata. Immediately after that
airavata left indra. on seeing Vishnu’s prasadam on the head of the
elephant, durvasa got angry and cursed indra. because of the curse
heavens got dried up. The prosperities of the devas were also
destroyed. Indra along with brahma went to Vishnu. Vishnu informed
them that laxmi will rise out of the milky ocean as a result of the
churning. The devas along with the asuras churned the milky ocean.
Laxmi arose from the milky ocean.

या पूधितेन्द्रेण िमा तिैका

शत्कतः स्विै श्वयगपुनः प्रदानात् ।
शापान्मुनेदेििणात्किमोच्य
कट्साक्षतस्ते हरिमाप भूयः ॥ ३०-१५॥
yaa poojitendrena ramaa tavaikaa
shaktih' svaraishvaryapunah'pradaanaat .
shaapaanmunerdevaganaanvimochya
kat'aakshataste harimaapa bhooyah' .. 30-15..

15. She who was worshipped by Indra and was Your (Vishnu’s)
Shakthi, who was called as Rema-Lakshmi-, freed the devas from the
curse of the sage, returned the prosperity in heaven, and due to Your
grace again joined back Lord Vishnu.
Indra worshipped the Lakshmi that arose from the milky ocean, with
all solemnity. The pleased Lakshmi Devi restored all the lost
prosperity in heaven to the devas. In this way the devas were freed
from the curse of sage durvasa. After that Lakshmi returned to
Vishnu. Vishnu once had lost (was distanced from) the power of
Lakshmi. After that, on the instruction of Brahma the followers of
Daksha , praised devi. Devi appeared before them. Devi told them
then and there how Vishnu will be able to get back his powers. What
Devi said then is what happened during the event of churning the
milky ocean. (check dashakam 28). The story of how the lost prosperity
of the devas was restored, the churning of the milky ocean by the devas
and asuras, is explained in detail in skanda 9 chapter 40 of devi
bhagavatham.

त्वं सिगशत्कतनग धिताऽधस केना-

प्यन्यान् ियस्येि सदा शिण्या ।
मातेि पत्नीि सुतेि िा त्वं
धिभाधस भतस्य नमो नमस्ते ॥ ३०-१६॥
tvam sarvashaktirna jitaa'si kena-
apyanyaan jayasyeva sadaa sharanyaa .
maateva patneeva suteva vaa tvam
vibhaasi bhaktasya namo namaste .. 30-16..

16. You are the one who is the greatest Sakthi. Who cannot be
defeated by anyone, who always keeps on winning over others and
who gives protection to your devotees and you shine like the
mother, the wife and the daughter,
My salutations to you.
Devi is the all powerful one. She cannot be defeated by anyone.
Whereas she can defeat others. Devotees should take refuge at the
feet of that devi. devi will assume any form for the convenience of
her devotees. She is the Mother for all. That mother was the
daughter to Daksha and Himavan. Became the wife of shiva. She also
became the wife of Vishnu. At the same time she had the restrictions
of a mother, of a wife or of a daughter. The Mother is always free
from all the tricks. The poet pays respect to that devi and ends the
chapter.
PS NOTE: the below story has been taken from devi bhagavatham. Here it
mentions that vighneshwara is the one who kills tarakasura. Whereas in
Devi narayanaeeyam the poet says skanda is the one who killed
tarakasura.

The Devas of the heavens and the Asuras of the nether world began churning
the Ocean of Milk; it brought out Amrit or ambrosia. If the Asuras were to
drink it, they would acquire indomitable strength, and the Devas feared there
would not be any end to the harm the Asuras would do to them. So, they
approached Lord Vishnu, who assumed the form of an enchantress, Mohini.
She hoodwinked the Asuras and managed to distribute the divine drink
among the Devas alone. No wonder, they became arrogant as they had now
become immortal.
When the Asuras realised that they had been cheated, they decided to teach
the Devas a lesson. One of them, Tarakasura, began to meditate on Lord
Brahma. The Lord was pleased over his tapas and appeared before the Asura
leader, and asked what boon he wanted. “Let me be immortal!” said
Tarakasura.
“No mortal can avoid death,” said Brahma, “so you my ask for anything else.”
“In which case, please bless me that I shall die only at the hands of a son of
Siva,” said Tarakasura. The boon was granted.
Around that time, Siva’s consort sati had ended her life by jumping into the
fire at the yaga being conducted by her father, King Daksha. Siva was beset
with uncontrollable grief. He wandered among the peaks of the Himalayas
seeking peace to his troubled mind. He then sat in deep meditation.
Meanwhile, Tarakasura led a formidable army of rakshasas and challenged the
Devas to a fight. The two sides fought a fierce war which witnessed the
demons inflicting an inglorious defeat on the Devas. They ran to Lord Brahma
and pleaded with him that he took back the boon granted to Tarakasura.
Brahma explained to them why he had to grant that boon to Tarakasura and
told them that they all would go to Lord Vishnu for advice and help. They then
proceeded to Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu.
After listening to the Devas, Vishnu said: “sati has now taken birth as Parvati,
daughter of King Himavan. You must ensure that she is married to Siva.”
The Devas sent Narada as their emissary to Himavan who was carried away by
Narada’s suggestion that Parvati deserved nobody other than Lord Siva for a
husband. Himavan then went up to the Lord who was still in deep meditation.
After paying his obeisance to Siva, Himavan said: “O Mahadeva! Please permit
me to send my daughter Parvati to look after your needs and comforts.”
There was no response from Lord Siva, who continued his meditation. Himavan
thought, as the Lord had not indicated any objection, he must have accepted
his prayer. So, he went back and sent Parvati to look after Siva.
She was just waiting for this moment, as she had already started worshiping
the Lord in her heart, and she had also listened to Narada’s praise of Siva. She
had, therefore, decided that she would not marry anyone other than the Lord
Himself. Parvati lost no time in reaching the presence of Lord Siva.
She engaged herself in chores like clearing and cleaning the precincts where
Siva was sitting in meditation and gathering fruits and leaves that he liked to
eat. Besides, she also sang songs extolling the virtues of the Lord. This daily
routine continued without any hindrance or a halt.
Siva never even for once opened his eyes to look at Parvati who, without even
a blink, waited for the Lord to open his eyes and take a look at her.
Now, the Devas led by Indra were marking their time to see that Parvati and
Siva were married and Parvati bore him a son. Indra sought the help of
Kamadeva, the god of Love. At first he was not willing to extend any help, but
when he realised that what he would do would benefit the Devas, he gave his
assent.
Kamadeva and his consort Rati flew in their chariot to where Siva sat in
meditation. Kamadeva carried the arrow of Love with him. The moment the
divine couple alighted on the Himalayan peak, the flowers around blossomed
and the whole place was enveloped by all kinds of sweet fragrance. The birds
were alerted and they chirped melodious songs. Bumble bees encircled the
place whirring softly. Peacocks spread their gorgeous feathers and began to
dance. Lord Siva was disturbed in his meditation and opened his eyes. And
what he saw was Parvati in front engrossed in her prayers to Siva Himself.
This was the moment Kamadeva was waiting for. He was standing behind a
tree. From there he sent the flower covered arrow of Love which hit Siva’s
chest. The Lord looked around to find out who had sent the arrow at Him. He
saw Kamadeva hiding behind the tree. Siva was angry; He opened his powerful
Third Eye. The fire beam that emerged from the eye went straight at Kamadeva
who was reduced to ashes in a trice.
Now that His concentration was broken, Lord Siva got up, still furious, and
proceeded to His abode in Mount Kailas. Rati wept over the ashes of her lord,
Kamadeva. She could not console herself and decided to end her life in the
same fire that had taken the life of her lord.
At that moment, the Devas rushed in to prevent her from taking her life. They
consoled her, saying that soon after Siva and Parvati were married, the Lord’s
anger would subside and He himself would make Kamadeva come back to life.
Rati now sat down guarding the ashes of Kamadeva.
Parvati till then had believed that she was very beautiful, and was confident
that one look at her and Siva would readily agree to marry her. True, the Lord
had opened his eyes and had looked at her as well. But there was no hint that
He had noticed her. Moreover, He had also left the place, full of anger. Parvati,
therefore, decided that she would meditate on Siva. She began an intense
tapas. She stopped eating any food, except leaves. After some days she gave
up that also. Her friends now called her Aparna.
After reaching Kailas, the effect of the arrow sent by Kamadeva slowly faded.
However, Lord Siva began to feel the intensity of Parvati’s tapas. The Lord now
had a change of heart. He decided to present Himself before Parvati. He
changed his dress and appearance and stood before Paravati. But to his
surprise he found that her mind was not wavering and it was fixed on Siva, and
Siva alone. He went up to the seven Rishis called Saptarishis and requested
them to go to King Himavan and discuss His marriage with his daughter.
When the Saptarishis informed Himavan of Siva’s proposal, his joy knew no
bounds. He told them that the marriage would be performed soon on an
auspicious date. Lord Siva, accompanied by his entourage, reached Himavan’s
palace in time for the ceremony. Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Indra, and the
Devas in full strength proceeded to attend the ceremony. Also present were
Narada, the Saptarishis, and many other rishis and munis.
Parvati was hoping that Siva would come dressed as a bridegroom. She herself
was bedecked in glittering ornaments and looked beautiful, as she entered the
bridal pandal. Himavan went through the rituals meticulously and performed
the wedding of Parvati and Siva in the presence of that august audience. The
couple received the blessings of everybody present.
Viswakarma, the architect of the Devas, had put up a beautiful palace for the
stay of the newlyweds. On their way to the palace, they went past Rati who
was still guarding the ashes of Kamadeva. They went near her and blessed her
to enjoy a long life as a married woman. Siva then opened his Third Eye from
which emitted cool rays which fell on the ashes. They brought back Kamadeva
to life.
“O Devi!” he said turning to Rati. “Your husband has regained his life. However,
you alone can see him and none else will be able to see his form. That, in a
way, is good for him, because no one will then do any harm to him. Moreover,
nobody will be able to escape from his arrows whenever he aims them at
anybody. You will be able to see him always. This is the boon I grant you.”
As they proceeded towards the palace prepared for their stay, they were
escorted by the invitees. The wives of munis led by Arundhati, wife of sage
Vasishtha, performed arati for the couple as they stepped into the palace.
Viswakarma now brought a wooden frame covered with a cloth. He said: “This
is a unique picture. It has two figures; one rivalling the other in beauty, and we
are not able to decide who is more beautiful!” He then removed the cloth.
The wooden frame had encased a lovely mirror. As they looked into the mirror,
the faces of Parvati and Siva bloomed with a smile. Sage Narada interrupted:
“Your smile does not provide an answer to Viswakarma’s question!”
Lord Siva smiled again and said: “No doubt, Parvati is more beautiful!”
Parvati, too, gave out a smile and said: “Who can say my lord with the three
eyes is not more beautiful? In fact, he is without a match!”
After this interlude, the invitees one after the other bade farewell to the bridal
couple. Soon they were left alone in the palace. As they went round, they saw
a painting on one of the walls. It depicted two elephants facing each other.
They had raised their front legs, while their hind legs struck a dancing pose.
Behind the elephants was a pond in which a lotus was in full bloom.
Parvati and Siva were fascinated by the painting. They remained looking at it
and appreciating the details for a long time. Suddenly, a glow arose from a
point between the elephants. The glow got enlarged and in the centre there
appeared Vighneswara. The glow surrounded his figure.
Though Vighneswara had the face of an elephant, it had a divine brightness.
The eyes appeared so peaceful and happy. The body had a paunch which gave
it a perfect shape. The hands were held up as if they were showering blessings.
Parvati could not take her eyes off the figure in the painting. On seeing
Parvati’s face, Siva was extremely happy.
The figure now turned to the couple: “I am Vighneswara. I remove all
obstacles. I am also Vinayaka, with no peers. I am Ganapati, the leader of the
ganas. You will soon be blessed with a child. I will be born as that child of
yours. He will kill Tarakasura.”
Parvati was about to take Vighneswara into her arms, but the figure
disappeared. This brought wonderment to both Parvati and Siva. They could
not forget the event while they spent a wonderful time in that palace made for
them by Viswakarma.

The death of tarakasura according to skanda purana (as described in devi

narayaneeyam)
Taraka performed a penance to Brahma, and when the creator appeared,
asked for two boons: One, that none shall be his equal in all of the three
worlds, and two, that only a son of Shiva could slay him. This second desire
was considered to be crafty on his part, since Shiva was a yogi and was unlikely
to bear children. His wish granted, Tarakasura promptly overran Svarga,
expelling the devas just like his father had, but now declaring himself to be the
new Indra. Indra approached Brahma and demanded that he assist him, since
it was the latter's fault for granting whatever boons his devotees sought.
Brahma explained to him that he could not do much, considering that Shiva
was engaged in a deep tapas and would hardly notice Parvati, the daughter of
Himavan who sought him as her consort. Indra devised a scheme with
Kamadeva and Rati, who attempted to disrupt Shiva and beguile him with
thoughts of love, accompanied by dancing apsaras and music. When
Kamadeva shot his floral arrow at Shiva, he felt a powerful surge of attraction
towards Parvati, but then observed the scheming Kamadeva and burnt him to
ash. Parvati performed a severe tapas in order to finally win the affections of
Shiva and married him with great pomp, giving birth to Kartikeya, the son of
Shiva destined to slay Taraka.

Battle against Skanda

According to the Skanda Purana, Kartikeya (Skanda) was appointed as the
commander of the gods, charged with his destiny of vanquishing the asura.
The divinities offered a number of gifts to empower him. Taraka, the king of
the daityas, summoned billions of asuras to defend his realm, his forces
commanded by Kalanemi. The asuras gained the upper hand, the armies of the
devas falling like trees to a forest fire. Indra was struck down. Hearing
Kalanemi's contempt, Kartikeya and Krishna arrived to duel him, the latter
wielding his great bow and raining arrows on the asura from atop Garuda.
Kalanemi responded by swallowing Krishna and Garuda whole, after which the
deity sliced the asura's belly open with the Sudarshana Chakra, the celestial
weapon cutting down masses of daitya warriors.
Kartikeya ignored Taraka's words of condescension and battled him, hurling
his terrible shakti on the asuras. When the miraculous missile was thrown by
Skanda of unmeasured splendour, excessively terrible clusters of meteors fell
on the earth. A million missiles of shakti fell out from it, a thousand million
vehicles being struck down. When Krishna urged him to hurl his shakti against
Taraka, Skanda hesitated, observing that his foe was a devotee of Rudra.
Krishna then manipulated Taraka into attacking Shiva.
Nevertheless, Taraka proved to be an equal to all of their prowess combined,
roaring triumphantly. Krishna laughed scornfully, loudly, musing that had he
known that Skanda would not slay a devotee of Rudra, the devas and he
would not have seen such destruction. Assuming his form of Vishnu, he wrung
his arms and swore to kill all the asuras, charging against them and killing a
billion of them even as he ran. The earth shook and the devas grew terrified.
The gandharva Siddha urged Vishnu to think on his actions that threatened
the entire universe. Reverting to his form as Krishna, Skanda and he charged
towards Taraka, upon which they witnessed a woman emerge out of the
latter's head. The woman announced that she was Shakti, who had resided in
the asura ever since his great penance, but would now forsake him because his
adharma had out-balanced his dharma. Kartikeya seized the Shakti and
pierced it against Taraka's heart, finally fulfilling his destiny even as the deities
hailed his name.

श्रीलक्ष्मीस्तोरिं इन्द्ररत्ितम्
श्रीसम्पदालक्ष्मीस्तोरम्

श्रीिणेशाय नमः ।
ध्यानम् -
सहस्रदलपद्मस्थकधणगकािाधसनीं पिाम् ।
शित्पािगणकोट्सीन्दु प्रभामुधष्टकिां पिाम् ॥ १॥
स्वतेिसा प्रज्वलन्तीं सुखदृश्यां मनोहिाम् ।
प्रतप्तकाञ्चनधनभशोभां मूधतगमतीं सतीम् ॥ २॥
ित्नभूषणभूषाढ्ां शोधभतां पीतिाससा ।
ईषिास्यप्रसन्नास्यां शश्वत्सुत्कस्थियौिनाम् ।
सिगसम्पत्प्रदात्रीं च महालक्ष्ीं भिे शु भाम् ॥ ३॥
पुिन्दि उिाच -
ॐ नमः कमलिाधसन्यै नािायण्यै नमो नमः ।
कृष्धप्रयायै सािायै पद्मायै च नमो नमः ॥ १॥
पद्मपत्रेक्षणायै च पद्मास्थायै नमो नमः ।
पद्मासनायै पधद्मन्यै िैष्व्यै च नमो नमः ॥ २॥
सिगसम्पत्स्वरूपायै सिगदात्र्यै नमो नमः ।
सुखदायै मोक्षदायै धसत्किदायै नमो नमः ॥ ३॥
हरिभत्कतप्रदात्र्यै च हषगदात्र्यै नमो नमः ।
कृष्िक्षः त्कस्थतायै च कृष्ेशायै नमो नमः ॥ ४॥
कृष्शोभास्वरूपायै ित्नपद्मे च शोभने ।
सम्पत्यधिष्ठातृदेव्यै महादे व्यै नमो नमः ॥ ५॥
शन्याधिष्ठादे व्यै च शस्यायै च नमो नमः ।
नमो बुत्किस्वरूपायै बुत्किदायै नमो नमः ॥ ६॥
िैकुण्ठे या महालक्ष्ीलगक्ष्ीः क्षीिोदसाििे ।
स्विगलक्ष्ीरिन्द्रिेहे िािलक्ष्ीनगपालये ॥ ७॥
िृहलक्ष्ीश्च िृधहणां िेहे च िृहदे िता ।
सुिधभ सा ििां माता दधक्षणा यज्ञकामनी ॥ ८॥
अधदधतदे िमाता त्वं कमला कमलालये ।
स्वाहा त्वं च हधिदाग ने कव्यदाने स्विा स्मृता ॥ ९॥
त्वं धह धिष्ुस्वरूपा च सिाग िािा िसु न्धिा ।
शुिसत्वस्वरूपा त्वं नािायणपिायाणा ॥ १०॥
क्रोिधहं सािधिगता च ििदा च शुभानना ।
पिमार्थगप्रदा त्वं च हरिदास्यप्रदा पिा ॥ ११॥
यया धिना िित् सिे भस्मीभूतमसािकम् ।
िीिन्मृतं च धिश्वं च शितुल्यं यया धिना ॥ १२॥
सिेषां च पिा त्वं धह सिगबान्धिरूधपणी ।
यया धिना न सम्भाप्यो बाध्विैबाग न्धिः सदा ॥ १३॥
त्वया हीनो बन्धुहीनस्वत्वया युतः सबान्धिः ।
िमाग र्थगकाममोक्षाणां त्वं च कािणरूधपणी ॥ १४॥
यर्था माता स्तनान्धानां धशशूनां शै शिे सदा ।
तर्था त्वं सिगदा माता सिेषां सिगरूपताः ॥ १५॥
मातृहीन स्ननान्धस्तु स चेज्जीिधत दै ितः ।
त्वया हीनो िनः कोऽधप न िीित्येि धनधश्चतम् ॥ १६॥
सुप्रसन्नस्वरूपा त्वं मां प्रसन्ना भिात्किके ।
िैरिग्रस्तं च धिषयं दे धह मह्मं सनातधन ॥ १७॥
ियं याित् त्वया हीना बन्धुहीनश्च धभक्षुकाः ।
सिगसम्पधिहीनाश्च तािदे ि हरिधप्रये ॥ १८॥
िाज्यं दे धह धश्रयं दे धह बलं दे धह सुिेश्वरि ।
कीधतग दे धह िनं दे धह यशो मह्मं च दे धह िै ॥ १९॥
कामं दे धह मधतं दे धह भोिान दे धह हरिधप्रये ।
ज्ञानं दे धह च िमे च सिगसौभाग्यमीत्कितम् ॥ २०॥
प्रभािां च प्रतापं च सिाग धिकािमेि च ।
ियं पिाक्रमं युिे पिमैश्वयगमैि च ॥ २१॥
इत्युक्त्वा च महे न्द्रश्च सिवः सुििणैः सह ।
प्रणमाम साश्रुनेत्रो मूर्ध्ाग चैि पुनः पुनः ॥ २२॥
ब्रह्मा च शङ्किश्चैि शेषो िमगश्च केशिः ।
सिेचक्रुः परिहािं सुिार्थे च पुनः पुनः ॥ २३॥
दे िेभ्यश्च ििं दत्वा पुष्पमालां मनोहिाम् ।
केशिाय ददा लक्ष्ीः सन्तुष्टा सुिसं सधद ॥ २४॥
ययुदैिाश्च सन्तुष्टाः स्वं स्वं स्थानञ्च नािद ।
दे िी ययोऐ हिे ः क्रोडं दृष्टा क्षीिोदशाधयनः ॥ २५॥
ययतुश्चैय स्विृहं ब्रह्मेशानी च नािद ।
दत्वा शुभाधशषं तौ च दे िेभ्यः प्रीधतपू िगकम् ॥ २६॥
इदं स्तोत्रं महापु ण्यं धत्रसन्ध्यं यः पठे न्रः ।
कुबेितुल्यः स भिे त् िाििािेश्विो महान् ॥ २७॥
धसिस्तोत्रं यधद पठे त् सोऽधप कल्पतरूनगिः ।
पञ्चलक्षिपेनैि स्तोत्रधसत्किभगिेन्नृणाम् ॥ २८॥
धसिस्तोत्रं यधद पठे न्मासमेकं च संयतः ।
महासुखी च िािे न्द्रो भधिष्यधत न संशयः ॥ २९॥
॥ इत्तश्रीइन्द्रकृतिं लक्ष्मीस्तोरम् सम्पूर्वम् ॥
दे र्ीभागर्तपुरार्े नर्मस्कन्धे अध्याय ४२
Indra said :-- “O Thou, the Dweller in the lotus! O Nārāyaṇī! O Dear
to Kṛṣṇa! O Padmāsane! O Mahā Lakṣmī!

Obeisance to Thee! O Padmadalekṣaṇe! O Padmanibhānane! O

Padmāsane! O Padme! O Vaiṣṇavī! Obeisance to Thee! Thou art the
wealth of all; Thou art worshipped by all; Thou bestowest to all the
bliss and devotion to Śrī Hari. I bow down to Thee. O Devī! Thou
always dwellest on the breast of Kṛṣṇa and exercisest Thy powers
over Him. Thou art the beauty of the Moon; Thou takest Thy seat on
the beautiful Jewel Lotus. Obeisance to Thee! O Devī! Thou art the
Presiding Deity of the riches; Thou art the Great Devī; Thou
increasest always Thy gifts and Thou art the bestower of increments.
So I bow down to Thee. O Devī! Thou art the Mahā Lakṣmī of
Vaikuṇṭha, the Lakṣmī of the Kṣiroda Ocean; Thou art Indra’s
Heavenly Lakṣmī; Thou art the Rāja Lakṣmī of the Kings; Thou art the
Griha Lakṣmī of the householders; Thou art the household Deity of
them; Thou art the Surabhī, born of the Ocean; Thou art the Dakṣiṇā,
the wife of the Sacrifices; Thou art Aditi, the Mother of the Devas;
Thou art the Kamalā, always dwelling in the Lotus; Thou art the
Svāhā, in the offerings with clarified butter in the sacrificial
ceremonies; Thou art the Svadhā Mantra in the Kāvyas (an offering of
food to deceased ancestors). So obeisance to Thee! O Mother Thou
art of the nature of Viṣṇu; Thou art the Earth that supports all; Thou
art of pure Śuddha Sattva and Thou art devoted to Nārāyaṇa. Thou
art void of anger, jealousy. Rather Thou grantest boons to all. Thou
art the auspicious Sāradā; Thou grantest the Highest Reality and the
devotional service to Hari. Without Thee all the worlds are quite
stale, to no purpose like ashes, always dead while existing. Thou art
the Chief Mother, the Chief Friend of all; Thou art the source of
Dharma, Artha, Kāma and Mokṣa! As a mother nourishes her infants
with the milk of her breasts, so Thou nourishest all as their mother! A
child that sucks the milk might be saved by the Daiva (Fate), when
deprived of its mother; but men can never be saved, if they be bereft
of Thee! O Mother! Thou art always gracious. Please be gracious
unto me. O Eternal One! My possessions are now in the hands of the
enemies. Be kind enough to restore my kingdoms to me from my
enemieś hands. O Beloved of Hari! Since Thou hast forsaken me, I
am wandering abroad, friendless, like a beggar, deprived of all
prosperities. O Devī! Give me Jñānam, Dharma, my desired fortune,
power, influence and my possessions.” O Nārada! Indra and all the
other Devas bowed down frequently to Mahā Lakṣmī with their eyes
filled with tears. Brahmā, Śaṅkara, Ananta Deva, Dharma and Keśava
all asked pardon again and again from Mahā Lakṣmī. Lakṣmī then
granted boons to the Devas and before the assembly gladly gave the
garland of flowers on the neck of Ke’sava. The Devas, satisfied, went
back to their own places. The Devī, Lakṣmī, too, becoming very glad
went to Śrī Hari sleeping in the Kṣiroda Ocean. Brahmā and
Maheśvara, both became very glad and, blessing the Devas, went
respectively to their own abodes. Whoever recites this holy Stotra
three times a day, becomes the King Emperor and gets prosperity
and wealth like the God Kuvera. Siddhi (success) comes to him who
recites this stotra five lakhs of times. If anybody reads regularly and
always this Siddha Stotra for one month, he becomes very happy
and he turns out a Rājarājendra.