Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Tripura Rahasya Day 14 – January 17, 2022 – Mysore
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
Chapter 15
Chief commander Sudhrti divided the massive army into three. Stationing Prince Shatrunjaya in the centre along with a 10 akshauhini army, he along with other commanders led an army of 20 akshauhinis. He was leading sitting on an elephant.
On the left, along with an army of 20 akshauhinis was Prince Bhima, the destroyer of enemies. In front of him was Prince Samara-tapana with another army of 20 akshauhinis.
Outside this army and behind it, many valiant soldiers who in might were equal to lions were stationed holding spears, shields and other equipment. They were warriors who had never stepped back from any battle. There were trillions of such warriors who were holding maces, lances and other weaponry. On the left were innumerable valiant warriors who were holding the shakti, discus and other weapons.
(You may wonder why this description of war is given. Kauravas & Pandavas were cousins. Rama and Ravana was a war between God and demon. But here the humans are fighting Kāma. It is not easy to conquer desire. One cannot conquer it merely with penance. All tricks should be used to conquer it).
Sudhriti thus divided this army which was ready for war, informed the prince of the same and, seated on the elephant, began to lead it.
At this time, Maharishi Narada approached Indra. Seeing Maharishi Narada, Indra got down from the Airavata, reverentially worshipped Maharishi’s feet and stood before him. Then Maharishi Narada said,
“O Indra! Do you see King Viravrata coming to the battle with an army that is like an endless ocean? Do you believe that Manmatha alone can help you attain your cherished goal? An extremely powerful can accomplish it even if it is unimaginably difficult.
We must not gauge the capacity based on the external appearance because valour exists in the seed itself. Even a huge stone that exists at the base of a banyan tree cannot produce a banyan tree. Even if it is very wide, it cannot sprout branches and leaves.
This king is arriving for battle with a limitless army. Manmatha is all alone. To me, this appears very contradictory. I have my apprehensions about Manmatha’s ability to win the battle single-handedly.
Hence along with the Devata-troops go and support Manmatha in battle. With this, Manmatha and his Mother Lakshmi will be delighted. Else Mother Lakshmi could be angry with you for neglecting her and her son”.
Indra appreciated Narada’s advice as they sounded very logical. He, therefore, decided to support Manmatha. He bowed to Maharishi Narada and, along with the Devata troops, approached Manmatha.
Seeing Indra approaching, Manmatha believed they were honouring him. Hence, in great happiness, he said, “O Devendra! See this massive army that is comparable to a gigantic ocean and which will shatter the hearts of the weak.
It is filled with many varieties of flags that are being pushed by the moving winds, with elephants that are like the moving clouds releasing streams of rut, with blankets that are red like the twilight clouds, with clothing etc. that are like the many minerals and with horses that are like the ocean waves”.
Hearing this, Indra said, “O Manmatha! I am unable to understand how you alone will alone conquer this fearsome army filled with limitless warriors which spreads in all directions”.
Hearing this, Manmatha was uncontrollably furious. His eyes turned red. He said, “O Indra! In front of your eyes, in just half a second, I will destroy this entire army. There is no doubt about this”.
Indra and all the Devatas applauded him. By then, Viravrata’s army had neared them and, seeing the massive army, Manmatha went forward. Just as he was about to release the arrow from his bow, Indra positioned his army all around Manmatha and joined the battle. Both the armies were ready for battle.
Mridamgam, conches and war-drums were loudly beaten. The roars of the valiant warriors and the sound of the quickly moving chariots resonated everywhere.
Then began a fearsome war that instilled fear into both camps. It was a dreadful war between the Devatas and the humans in which were many brave warriors who had the might of lions, who were dexterous in the usage of different missiles and weaponry and who instilled deep fear into their opponents.
“Oye! Stand before me! I shall take away your life. You have none to protect you now. I am about to dispatch you to the abode of death. O wicked one! Why are you self-boasting? You are destined to die in my hands. See I am killing you. Run if you seek to save your life”- the battlefield was filled with such screams.
In this way, in that fearsome, cruel war, blinded due to anger, the warriors could not differentiate their people from their opponents due to which, the Devatas were attacking the Devatas while humans were attacking humans.
The dust raised by the moving armies ensured that the skies turned dark making everything invisible. Although the warriors could see nothing in the darkness, the war did not stop. The warriors who had turned blind due to intense anger fought without distinction of day/ night, their people/enemies, weaponry/other objects. It appeared as if they knew nothing barring attacking.
At this time, Indra’s son Vasu mounted the Airavata elephant and along with the Devatas angrily arrived there.
With a massive army, Indra’s other son Jayanta stood facing commander Sudhrti. For a while, they fought fiercely. In that encounter, Sudhrti’s army destroyed Jayanta’s army.
The hands, legs, heads, sides, ears, eyes and noses of the Devatas were severed. Some lost their lives. Some were left only with their life. Some swooned. Fearing that the enemies would spot them alive, some held their breath and enacted as if they were dead. Even when the enemy was at a distance, the Devatas were not casting even side glances in that direction. Such was their tension and worry. They were breathing very slowly. Some ran in fear.
Sāvitra, who belonged to Vasu troops, saw the Devata army getting destroyed and decided to tackle Sudhrti’s massive army.
Vasu and other Devata troops destroyed Sudhrti’s army. When the human army was fleeing in fear, Vasu’s troops further injured them. At that time, blood flowed like a huge uncrossable river.
Sudhrti’s son Ranadhira saw his army getting destroyed. Instantly mounting a chariot he came face to face with the Vasus while instilling courage into his soldiers shouting, “Do not flee. It is against the Kshatriya dharma to flee from a battle. Fleeing destroys a warrior’s dharmic duties. He also loses his wealth and renown. The Kshatriya who seeks to fight a battle and free himself from indebtedness to his master should never flee from a battle. He should give up his life on the battlefield and free himself from indebtedness. But he should not flee from the battle”.
Ranadhira then stood in front of the Vasus and shouted, “Fie on you for this mean, condemnable deed! You are hitting from behind and killing helpless soldiers who are running away in fear. Leave them. Fight with me who am standing before you”.
When challenged thus, the Vasu-troops came forward. They continuously rained arrows and many other weapons upon Ranadhira burying him such that he could not be spotted at all. With this, the human-army presumed him to be dead. Just as a young elephant surrounded by lions cannot be saved, they grieved that they could not save Ranadhira.
However, within a second, Sudhrti’s son Ranadhira broke each weapon hurled upon him by the Vasus into 8 bits and pierced the Vasus with very sharp arrows.
His stupendous valour was admired not only by humans but also by the Devatas. Thereafter the Vasus encircled him and attacked him using different weapons. Sudhrti’s son shred all those weapons into bits. Although he was all alone, he went round and round in circles and simultaneously fought with the 8 Vasus. This terrible war went on for a while. Then Ranadhira killed their horses and charioteers and broke their chariots and flags into bits. Using a very sharp sword, he pierced the hearts of the Vasus injuring them badly. They experienced deep pain and swooned.
Seeing them swoon, the Devata army let out shouts of despair. Meanwhile, a Vasu named Sāvitra regained consciousness, with 3 sharp arrows he hit Sudhrti’s son Ranadhira and then informed the Devata army that the other Vasus had swooned.
Ranadhira who was attacked by Sāvitra retaliated by releasing a crescent-shaped arrow that broke Sāvitra’s bow. Then Sāvitra used a mace and hit Ranadhira’s horses and hurled an iron mace on Ranadhira which Ranadhira broke into three bits.
Taking up a sharp sword and shield, Sāvitra then jumped on Ranadhira’s chariot and broke Ranadhira’s bow. He pierced the charioteer with a sharp spear and with the sword severed his head.
Enraged, Ranadhira took up a sword and shield and fought. Savitra broke them. Then Ranadhira took the mace, the shakti weapon and the spear but Sāvitra broke them all. Indra applauded Sāvitra.
The infuriated Ranadhira, hit Sāvitra on his chest with his fist that was as strong as the Vajrayudha. He then roared like a lion. With this, Savitra swooned. But yet he stood up and resumed the battle.
Ranadhira snatched Sāvitra’s sword and broke his knees which was a wonderous achievement. Thereafter they fought with fists for a while after which Ranadhira threw Sāvitra to the ground. He beat him on the chest with his fists. Sāvitra vomited blood and fell. He was on the verge of losing his life.
Indra sent his son Jayanta to save Sāvitra. With the Shakti-weapon, Jayanta unrighteously hit Ranadhira from behind due to which Ranadhira fell unconscious. With utmost difficulty, Jayanta approached Sāvitra who was on the verge of losing his life.
Om Srimatre namah
Chapter 16
Ranadhira who was hit with the shakti weapon was unconscious for very long. The moment he regained consciousness, he was ready to fight. Jayanta too mounted his chariot and holding his bow was ready to fight.
Jayanta shouted, “Do not flee. Stop. Stop”. Ranadhira said, “O Jayanta! It appears that you are Sachidevi’s son and not Indra’s son, for, you have the cowardice that exists in women. That is why you have stealthily hit me from behind. Only the wicked engage in such acts. You are not a man although you consider yourself to be one. You cannot be counted among the valourous.
Go from the battlefield. You have no work here. Neither are you a warrior nor are you the son of a chaste woman. Do not bring grief to your mother Sachidevi. Lowly is your birth. If you truly are dedicated to fight, then stand before me. In half a second I shall dispatch you to the abode of Yama”.
Jayanta then sent a sharp arrow that powdered Ranadhira’s chariot. He then hurled his mace. Ranadhira intelligently caught the mace and using a sword broke Jayanta’s bow. He threw down Jayanta’s crown and held him by his hair.
At this moment Ranadhira appeared like the vulture that had caught a snake. He raised his sword to sever Jayanta’s head. But, by then, Agni arrived to protect Jayanta. While the Devatas were raising loud cries, Agni gathered all his energies and with his bludgeon hit Ranadhira’s right hand causing the sword held in it to fall. The infuriated Ranadhira kicked Jayanta with his legs rendering him unconscious.
With his left hand, Ranadhira caught Agni by his neck and with his fist gave a violent blow to his head. (Subtly about our senses is being explained here. The procedure to overcome desires is being explained. If we delve deep from the spiritual angle, then we understand why Agni entered the scene here). Agni’s head started reeling due to that blow and he fell to the ground.
Meanwhile, Indra arrived there to save his son. Ranadhira, who was standing on the ground, suddenly hit Indra who was on the elephant causing Indra’s crown to fall down.
Indra, who considered this as an insult, hit Ranadhira on his thigh with his Vajrayudha causing Ranadhira to lose consciousness and fall to the ground.
Prince Bhima who noticed his chief commander’s son Ranadhira fall unconscious instantly commanded his charioteer to drive his chariot there. In a second, the charioteer brought him there.
Bhima got down from the chariot, lifted Ranadhira and placed him on the chariot. Then he took a powerful mace and hit Indra on his head. Due to the impact of that blow, like a tree that comes crashing down, Indra was rendered unconscious. Seeking to save its master’s life, elephant Airavata ran quickly from the battlefield. Bhima however caught it by its tail and dragged it back. Airavata could not free itself from Bhima’s grip. But it tried many times to catch him with its trunk.
Bhima moved the elephant left and right repeatedly and then hit it with his mace causing it to vomit blood and fall to the ground. Bhima then jumped up in the air and caught Indra’s weapon Vajrayudha seeking to kill Indra with it but then the Vajrayudha vanished from his hand.
Then Vayu along with other Devatas fought with Bhima. Bhima and his army took up maces and hit the Devatas. Meanwhile, the charioteer carried the unconscious Ranadhira and dropped him near chief commander Sudhrti. Sudhrti appreciated the charioteer with many good words.
Here, Bhima was fighting with Vayu-deva, who is fair complexioned, whose chariot is driven by deer and which is equipped with all weaponry. Holding the noose, goad and other weapons Vayu, who was extremely furious, hurled sharp arrows on Bhima. Bhima retaliated by quickly releasing sharp arrows upon Vayu.
He fiercely hit Vayu on his chest with a lance. For a moment Vayu was rendered immobile. Then, the Marutt-troops collectively attacked Bhima with goads. Using crescent-shaped arrows, Bhima shred them all. Using three arrows he hit the Marutt-troops on their chests causing them to swoon.
At this point, Vayu hit Bhima with his goad. Bhima swooned. In a short while, he recovered and, holding a mace, jumped into Vayu’s chariot and hit Vayu with his mace. Vayu swooned. Then, the charioteer quickly took Vayu away to another place.
Seeing Vayu defeated, Kubera, Varuna, Yama, Indra and the Gandarva-kings collectively jumped to fight Bhima. Indra had mounted the Airavrata, Yama was seated on a bull, Varuna on a fish, Kubera on a human, the Gandharva-king on a horse. Using various weapons they attacked Bhima.
Seeing this, Sudhrti approached Prince Shantrunjaya and said, “O Prince! Indra and others have vowed to kill Bhima and have joined together. Hence we need to go and support him. I feel that one fighting against many is not good”.
Agreeing to his words, all the princes came forward to assist Bhima. Sudhrti fought with Indra. Shatrunjaya fought with Kubera, Shatrughna with Varuna, Bhima with Gandharva-king and Samara-tāpana with Yama. Shantrunjaya’s son Viravikrama fought with Vayu, Shatrughna’s son Virasena with Agni, Bhima’s son Virabhanu with Indra’s son and Samara-tāpana’s son Viragra with the Vasus. Seeking victory, all of them battled fiercely.
Sri matre namah
Chapter 17
This fierce battle, which caused the body to horripilate, went on for a while. Chitrasena who was mounted on a horse hit Bhima with three sharp arrows. Bhima’s bow was broken hence he hurled his iron mace on Chitrasena.
With his arrows, Chitrasena broke that iron mace. Thereafter with 4 arrows, he killed the 4 horses yoked to Bhima’s chariot and also killed the charioteer.
Enraged at the death of his horses and charioteer, Bhima hit Chitrasena’s horses with his mace and killed them. In this attack, Chitrasena was thrown to the ground. Unable to fight with Bhima, Chitrasena made himself invisible and began to attack Bhima using illusionary tricks.
He magically rained stones on Bhima. Further, weapons, snakes, spirits and skulls were rained upon him. There was a downpour of blood, fire accompanied by heavy winds that followed Bhima wherever he went.
Bhima then used a special arrow by which Chitrasena’s magic was shattered. Then, seeing the Gandharva-king Chitrasena approaching him, Bhima took up the trident and hurled it upon him, just as Shiva had hurled it upon the demon Andhakasura. He then hit Chitrasena with the mace so mightily that Chitrasena almost lost his life. Meanwhile, one Gandharva took Chitrasena far away to protect his life.
Virāgra, who was fighting the Vasus, used varied weapons. In that battle, many Vasus fell unconscious. Only Sāvitra continued to fight Virāgra. In that fight, Virāgra swooned. Quickly recovering, he hit Sāvitra with the mace due to which Savitra vomited blood and fell.
The war between Virasena and Agni went on for long. Agni used Shakti-weapon on Virasena who retaliated by using Varuna weapon which destroyed the Shakti-weapon. Angered, Agni destroyed all of Virasena’s weapons. Virasena then hit Agni with his fist causing Agni to crash to the ground.
Viransena then caught Agni and took him to the capital city where he tied Agni with a strong rope that was empowered with mantras. The power of those mantras prevented the ropes from burning down. Instead, they reduced Agni’s heat and cooled him down.
Meanwhile, Viravikrama who was fighting with Vayu, hit Vayu with a goad. With this, Vayu fell as if he was dead. Unable to withstand the injuries on his body, even Viravikrama fell down. In this way, both swooned.
Shatrunjaya fought with Kubera. They were equals at war. He said, “O Kubera! Why do you delay? Display your valour. Else I will take away your life”. Infuriated with these words, Kubera released a shower of arrows which killed Shatrunjaya’s horses, charioteer and broke the flag on his chariot. Shatrunjaya applauded Kubera and hit his vehicle, the human, who fell unconscious.
With the mace, he then hit Kubera on the head. The intensity of the blow caused Kubera to fall unconscious. Shantrunjaya snatched the bow from Kubera’s hand.
After regaining consciousness, Kubera took up a mace. Shatrunjaya then said, “O Kubera! None matches me in mace-fight. The teachers who had taught me mace-fighting had said, ‘O valarous one! None can beat you in mace-fight. Yet, you must fight with Kubera and win’. Today that opportunity stands before me. Hence show your valour”.
A terrible mace-fight ensued between them. They used every possible mace-fighting technique that exists in the world. The Siddhas and Caranas who were witnessing the duel appreciated it profusely.
Kubera sought to jump to the skies and attack Shatrunjaya. But Shatrunjaya tactfully deceived Kubera. On figuring this out, Kubera unrighteously hit Shatrunjaya on the back. As his back was injured, for a second Shatrunjaya fell unconscious. On regaining consciousness, he condemned Kubera saying,
“O Kubera! Among all the battles, fighting with the mace is the most supreme. Hence it is said that mace-fighting has many disciplines as that in the path of Yoga. However, you have fought unrighteously. You will face the consequences for it”- saying this, he threw his mace down and forcefully hit Kubera on his chest with his fist.
Kubera fell to the ground vomiting blood. Shantrunjaya bound Kubera tightly with ropes. With this, the Yakshas were enraged. All of them collectively attacked Shatrunjaya. However, Shatrunjaya destroyed them all.
Shatrunjaya was taking the captured Kubera and going when this news reached Maharishi Pulastya. He quickly arrived there and said, “Shatrunjaya! Whom you have won through your valour is my dearest son Kubera. Hence release him. King Viravrata always honours the Brahmins by giving them what they seek. Being his son, like him, you too fulfill my request”.Shatrunjaya then bowed to Maharishi Pulastya, returned Kubera to him and went away.
In the duel between Virabhanu and Jayanta, the latter swooned and his charioteer had to take him away to safety.
Shatrughna, who was in his chariot, fought with Varuna who had mounted his vehicle, the crocodile. Shatrughna aimed at the crocodile and hit it. Thereafter he hit Varuna on his forehead causing him to swoon.
When, with his powerful noose, Varuna tried to tie Shatrughna, Samara-tāpana fought with Varuna. He tied Varuna and was about to take him away when Yama arrived there on his bull. He was surrounded by many diseases and many attendants who were of ugly faces and unique forms. Yama was frightening to look at. Yet, Samara-tāpana did not fear him.
He bravely fought with Yama. Releasing a crescent-shaped powerful arrow, he hit Yama on the chest. Vomiting blood, Yama fell down. Yama’s attendants let out loud wails. Seeing Yama’s defeat, all the humans and the celestials were wonder-struck. They applauded Samara-tāpana.
Then, Yama’s troops and Varuna’s troops collectively blocked Samara-tāpana from all sides. Samara-tāpana used the Vāyavya weapon causing them to disperse and go far behind. Using Āgneya weapon he attacked Yama’s troops.
Then thousands of diseases began to attack the human army and destroy it. Samara-tāpana who realized that there were no weapons by which the diseases could be subdued, used the Nāmatraya weapon.
(To cure diseases, Nama sankeertana is the only route. It is clear that diseases cannot be dispelled using weapons. After completing puja or homa, customarily we say- sarva varna lopa dosha prāyaschittartham nāmatraya mantra japam karishye- achyutāya namah, anantāya namah, govindāya namah).
When Samara-tāpana used the Nāmatraya mantra, all diseases were dispelled. With this, Yama’s vehicle bull, which is the form of time, was enraged. Sighing loudly it pounced upon Samara-tāpana.
Samara-tāpana, who believed that animals should not be attacked with weapons, hit its forehead with his fist. This caused the bull to go back a little distance and fall. It got up and caught Samara-tapana between its horns and began to run causing great delight to the Devatas and agony to the humans. Samara-tāpana recovered and hit its back fiercely. With this, the bull was badly injured and making a loud noise, fell unconscious.
This enraged Yama who now decided to slay Samara-tāpana. Then, Sudhriti thought, “The power of time is infallible. It will undoubtedly kill Samara-tāpana. What is it that is the right move at this time?” Thinking thus, he quickly released his lance on Yama. With this, the kāla-danda weapon of Yama slipped from his hand.
Yama went to get his weapon meanwhile Sudhrti hit Yama again with another lance causing Yama to fall to the ground. The Devatas and humans applauded Sudhrti. While applauding him, Indra mounted his Airavata and came there to fight with him.
Srimatre namah