Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Tripura Rahasya Day 18 – January 22, 2022 – Mysore
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
Chapter 25
Manmatha saw Tripura Devi, who was in the complexion of rubies, glowing resplendently with a glittering crown made of many precious gemstones. Due to the glow of the crescent moon that glittered on Her shining crown, She appeared doubly red and was like a gemstone.
With three bright eyes like the blossomed blue lilies, She glowed radiantly. Her glances combined with the effulgence from her gem-studded earrings. The whiteness of her pearl nose-ring mixed with the redness on her lips and this mixed colour pervaded all the directions.
The beauty of her two rows of teeth outshone the beauty of jasmine buds. Her lotus-face, that was at the end of the lotus-garland She was wearing, appeared stunning.
Her hands were like tender, soft creepers and Her fingers were like the row of buds on it. She had Moonlike fingernails. The rays that were emanating from the gemstones on Her bangle pervaded everywhere like the ocean waves.
She was draped in a red silk saree and was glowing with all ornaments. The gemstones on the waistband that adorned Her space-like subtle waist glittered like stars.
She was holding the noose, goad, flower arrow and sugarcane bow. She had anointed her body with sweet perfume. The fragrance of the Kadamba flowers worn on Her ears pervaded everywhere. She was wearing a garland of fully-blossomed lotuses and Malati flowers. On either side, Lakshmi and Saraswati were standing and fanning her.
Seeing this divine form of Mother Tripura, Manmatha was overcome with bliss. Tears of joy filled his eyes. His body horripilated. He prostrated to Her and as he was submerged in an ocean of bliss, he could not get himself to speak. He, who had prostrated to her, remained in that position itself.
Then, Mother Tripura said, “My son! Get up. Look at me who have manifested before you in the form in which you have meditated upon Me. Pleased with your devotion, I am here to give you a boon. Seek what you want”.
Manmatha stood up, joined his palms and in a voice that faltered due to being soaked in happiness, said, “O Mother who showers Her compassionate glance upon Her devotees! O primordial cause! O Kameshwari! I shall never seek from any other Devata barring You.
I shall seek only from Tripura-devi who is renowned and who holds the noose, goad, flower arrow and sugarcane bow. Barring serving the lotus feet of the ultimate Supreme Mother I will not serve any other Devata.
Her glances which are filled with utmost compassion are the most supreme of all. I am knowing about Her who is nondual and is everything. As the Mother of the Trinity, She created them. It is She who fulfils the cherished desires. In offering services to Her, even if there is like-dislike (desired or undesired results), I will not grieve.
Whatever may happen, O Mother, I will not abandon You and worship other Devatas. I seek that You, who are worshipped even by Maheshwara, should eternally reside in my heart.
O Mother! You are Lalita. You are the life-force of Kameshwara. You are worshipful for everyone. Hence, I shall not worship anyone barring You.
May Tripura-devi, who is served by Hari and Hara, always bestow happiness upon me! Bowing to you, the army commander and one who is seated on a horse, I beseech You as follows.
O Mother who glows with the sugarcane bow and flower arrows! Always protect me with Your compassionate gaze! Barring You, O Kameshwari, I have no other protectors. Ensure that the sprout called devotion towards Your feet emerges in my heart.
O Mother of the universe! You are Kamakshi. May I never develop any devotion to any other God barring You! My mind should eternally remain fixed on Your lotus feet.
You, O Goddess Maheshwari, are omniscient. Please bless that I shall have unswerving devotion to Your lotus feet”- having said this prayer, Manmatha again and again bowed to Her.
Then Mother Tripura pleasantly said, “My son! Get up. Seek what you want. Even if it is a rare one, I shall grant it to you. Once I grant, there can be nothing that is rare”.
Manmatha stood up. Due to seeing Mother Tripura the darkness called spiritual ignorance had been removed from him. To his heart’s content, he saw Mother Tripura who was none other than his own Self. He believed that he had fulfilled all his desires.
With a pure mind, he joined his hands and said, “O Mother! With the darshan of Your holy feet, I have fulfilled all my desires. I feel that there is nothing that I have not obtained. Hence, what is it that I can now seek? Seeking anything now is like seeking salt water after sipping nectar.
After obtaining this chance to see You, seeking another boon from You is ridiculous. Hence o Mother! Whatever you command, I shall reverentially place it on my head and execute it”.
Mother Tripura was deeply pleased with Manmatha’s words. Laughingly She said, “Manmatha! What you say is true. There is nothing left for you to obtain, for, the person who truly understands the Self treats the position of the four-faced Brahma as a piece of straw.
Yet, as you have come to me with some desire, it is my resolve that your desire should not go for a waste. This is because the actions of the living beings should never go for a waste.
You had begun your penance seeking that there should be no being on the earth, in heaven or in Patala, who cannot be vanquished by you. Hence take this bow and arrow”.
Saying this, Mother gave him another bow and arrow exactly similar to her bow and arrow and then said, “O son of Lakshmi! You will be blessed with auspiciousness in all your endeavours anywhere in the universe. Further, those who see you will be bereft of courage. Enjoying all the prosperity and comforts of the universe, may you always be auspicious!
O Manmatha! Among my devotees may you remain as an example. You are the foremost among my devotees. That knowledge (vidya) that I had taught to you in your dream is the most-supreme of all the vidyas. Henceforth it will be popular with your name. This is because you are the first to have practised it.
With the 108 names that Lakshmi has imparted to you and the 9 verses sung by you with total devotion for me which contain my most-important syllables- with them and with My knowledge, may you be supremely auspicious!
As this mantra showers the person with auspiciousness, it will be known as Soubhagya-vidya. The 108 names will be known as Soubhagya-astottara and the prayer chanted by you will be known as ‘Soubhagya navaratna stotra’.
I shall quickly bless those who chant this stotra. The students who chant it will be blessed with education. Those seeking wealth will obtain wealth, those seeking progeny will obtain children, those seeking marriage will get married.
The cherished desire of those who chant it will be fulfilled. They will never face any harm. I shall bless them always”- in this way, Mother Tripura explained to Manmatha Her greatness and the greatness of her names and vanished.
Sri matre namah
Chapter 26
Hearing the greatness of the most-supreme Devi-stotra, Parashurama enquired, “O Gurudeva! I who am drinking the nectar dripping from Your lotus-face through the mouth known as my ears, find that my thirst only increases with each passing minute.
With Tripura Devi’s blessings, Manmatha appeased Her by chanting Her 108 names that are known as Soubhagya vidya. Where are the letters of the Soubhagya vidya explained? Please teach this to me”.
Datta Swami then said, “O Parashurama! As asked by you, I shall narrate the 108 names of Tripura-devi which are the repository for the gems known as Her seed syllables. The Puranas and Agamas contain millions of Her names but the 108 names contain the essence of all those names. Previously, when Mother Parvati repeatedly beseeched Lord Shiva, he taught her these 108 names. I shall teach it to you.
1) Kāmeshwari- Kāma means Sadashiva. In the word Kāma, the Trinity exist. As the Ishwari for the Lord who rules the Trinity, She is Kāmeshwari. The name Kāma also belongs to Manmatha. From this angle, She who blessed Kāma is Kāmeshwari.
2) Kāmashaktih- The energy of Kāmeshwara. She who empowered the Trinity. She is the power of resolve (intent, Iccha-shakti) in everyone.
3) Kāmasoubhāgya-dāyini- She who fulfils desires and blesses the person with prosperity. She who blessed Manmatha (Kāma) with prosperity.
4) Kāmaroopa- She who can take on any form She wills.
5) Kāmakala- She who is the form of time in the Trinity.
6) Kāmini- She who desires to bless her devotees.
7) Kāmalōcana- She whose eyes are elongated like the lotus petal.
😎 Kamala- She is Lakshmi who is known as Kamala
9) Lalanāhīna- She who has no delusion. She who destroys delusion.
10) Kamanīya- She who has a beautiful form.
11) Kalāvatī- She is the 16th phase that is beyond the 15 phases of the moon.
12) Kamalā bhāratī sēvyā- She who is served by Lakshmi and Saraswati. They fan Her with the chamara fans.
13) Kalpitā’śēṣa samsṛtiḥ- She who has created the entire universe with Her resolve.
14) Anuttarā- There is no object superior to Her.
15) Anaghā- She who is sinless. She who dispels sins.
16) Anantā- She who has no end or destruction.
17) Adbhutaroopa- She who has a wonderous visible form
18) Analōdbhava- She who has emerged from the fire and who is known as ‘Chidagni kunda sambhoota’.
19) Atilōkacaritra- She whose glory goes beyond the 14 worlds. She whose glory is beyond the reach of the inhabitants of the 14 worlds.
20) Atisundarī- She who is exceedingly beautiful.
21) Atiśubhapradā- She who causes the utmost auspiciousness.
22) Aghahantrī- She who destroys sins.
23) Ativistārā- She who is all-pervading.
24) Archana-tushtā- She who is pleased with worship.
25) Amitaprabhā- She who has unlimited illumination.
26) Ekaroopa- Although appearing as innumerable beings, She is the single-soul that pervades them all.
27) Ekavīrā- She whose valour is unsurpassed. She who resides as Ekavīra devi among the 18 Shakti-peethas.
28) Ēkanāthā- She, the ultimate God, whose dictates are irreversible. She is the only Empress who rules all beings.
29) Ēkāntārchanapriya- She who delights in mental worship undertaken in solitude.
30) Ēkā- She who is the Supreme Self.
31) Ēkabhāva-tuṣṭā- She who delights with feelings of supreme oneness.
32) Ēkarasā- She who is the embodiment of Supreme bliss
33) Ēkānta janapriyā- She who is pleased with the virtuous beings who seek solitude.
34) Ēdhamānaprabhāvā- She whose glory is ever-growing,
35) Edhad bhaktapātaka nāśinī- She who destroys the sins of the devotees who are of great splendour.
36) Ēlāmōdamukhā- She whose face has the fragrance of cardamom.
37) Ēnōdri śakrāyudha samasthitiḥ- She who, like the Vajrayudha weapon, destroys mountains of sins.
38) Īhāśūnyā- She who is desireless.
39) Īpsitā- She who is sought after by everyone.
40) Īśādhisēvyā- She who is worshipped by Shiva and other Gods.
41) Īśāna varāngana- Wife of Ishvara,
42) Īśvarā’ jnāpikā- She who commands even Ishwara. She who, through the process of sadhana, is known as the Supreme Parabrahma
43) Īkārabhāvyā- She who is focussed upon with seed-letter Ī.
44) Īpsita phalapradā- She who showers the desired fruit
45) Īśānā- She who is the Lord for everything.
46) Ītiharekshā- She whose compassionate glance destroys distress
47) Īśadaruṇākṣī- She who has slightly reddish eyes.
48) Īśvarā- She who is the form of the Supreme (Ishwara)
49) Īśvarī- The wife of Ishwara
50) lalitā- She who is beautifully limbed, gentle-natured and who cajoles the devotees.
51) lalanārūpa- Her form enchants everyone.
52) layahīnā- She who has no destruction.
53) lasat-tanuḥ- She whose form is glowing.
54) layasarvā- She to whom absorption itself is everything.
55) layakṣōṇih- She who is the support for merger
56) layakarṇī- She who has the Sun and Moon as Her earrings
57) layātmikā- She who is the form of absorption/ merger
58) laghimā- She who is the form of laghima-siddhi.
59) laghumadhyāḍhyā- She who, with a slender waist, is effulgent
60) lalamānā- She who is sportive
61) ladhudhrtā- She who moves slightly faster.
62) hayāruḍhā- She who has mounted a horse
63) hatā’ mitrā- She who has destroyed foes
64) harakāntā- She who is dear to Shiva
65) haristutā- She who was extolled by Srihari
66) hayagrīvēṣtadā- She who gave to Hayagriva what he wanted.
67) halāpriyā- She who loves even the Halahala poison.
68) harṣasamuddhatā- She who brims with happiness.
69) harṣaṇā- She who causes delight.
70) hallikābhāngī- She whose limbs are as slender as the marks created by the thin plough in soil.
71) hastyantaiśvaryadāyinī- She who is competent to shower as much wealth as is obtained as the distance covered by the pole that is thrown by a person standing atop an elephant.
72) halahastārchitapadā- She who is worshipped by farmers and by Balarama who held the plough.
73) havirdānaprasādinī- She who, pleased with the offerings made in the Yagna fire, showers blessings.
74) rāmārāmārcitā- She who is worshipped by Srirama, Balarama and Parashurama.
75) rāgni- She who is the queen of the Lord who rules the worlds.
76) ramyā- She who is delightful.
77) ravamayī- She is the form of sound
78) ratiḥ- She is the form of Rati-devi. She showers auspiciousness upon Shiva. She is the form of love that is essential for begetting offspring,
79) rakshinī- She who protects.
80) ramanī- She who is beautiful; She who showers bliss.
81) rākā- She who illumines like the Full moon
82) ramanī mandala priyā- She who is loved by all the womenfolk
83) rakshitākhila lōkēśā- She who guards all the Guardian-deities.
84) rakshōgaṇa niṣūdini- She who has destroyed hordes of demons
85) ambā- The mother of the universe
86) antakāriṇī- She who destroys the universe at annihilation time
87) ambhōjapriyā- She who loves lotuses
88) antaka bhayankarī¬ – She causes fear even to Yama
89) amburoopa- She who exists as Ganga and all sacred water bodies
90) ambujakarā- She who holds the lotus in her hands
91) ambuja-jāta varapradā- She who granted boons to the lotus-born Brahma
92) antaḥpuja-priya- She who is very pleased with mental (inner) worship
93) antassvaroopini- She who has a secretive form
94) antarvacōmayī- She who exists as Parā speech
95) antakārāti vāmāmka sthitā- She is seated on the left thigh of Shiva, the Lord of time.
96) antassukharoopini- She who is the form of inner bliss
97) sarvagnyā- She who is omniscient
98) sarvagā- She who exists everywhere.
99) sārā- She who is the essence for everything
100) sāmā- She who exists equally in everyone and everything
101) samasukhā- For those who are equal-minded, she is the Self’s bliss experienced.
102) satī- She is the devoted, chaste wife
103) santatiḥ- She who exists as everyone’s progeny
104) santatā- She who is all-pervading
105) sōmā- She is Shiva. She is the moon
106) sarvā- She is everything
107) Sāṇkhyā- She is knowledge
108) sanātanī- She is the primordial being. To Her I bow in obeisance.
O Parashurama! I have taught you the 108 names of Tripura devi. Among all Her names, these are totally filled with Her essence and are extremely secretive. In the three worlds, there is no Ashtottara (108 names) that can equal this. This Ashtottara should not be taught to those who despise Mother Goddess or who are not Her devotees. It should not even be chanted in their presence. Sadashiva, Hara, Vishnu and others chant this Ashtottara daily.
Due to the power of this Ashtottara chanting, Manmatha conquers the three worlds within a second. There is nothing unattainable by the person who unfailingly chants this Soubhagya Ashtottara during the three Sandhya times every day.
To the devotees who meditate upon Mother Tripura, chanting this stotra is of extreme importance. Even if it is chanted once, there can be no flaw in the duties to be completed.
The daily and periodic ordained duties completed by a person without chanting this stotra are futile.
He who cannot chant the 1000 names of Tripura Devi should chant these 108 names. This showers 100 times more results than one obtains through the chanting of the Sahasranama.
By chanting this Ashtottara 1000 times, a person becomes capable of destroying his enemy with his mere gaze. At the time of destroying their enemies, the Marichas chanted this. For dispelling their diseases, the Lavangas chanted this. Both of them were successful only due to the chanting of this Astottara.
He who, after completion of the chanting of this Ashtottara, feeds married women or Brahmins or who, while chanting these names worships the Mother Goddess with flowers and fruits, will obtain an infinite result. If the worship is offered to the Srichakra or the worship is offered in any sacred place by chanting these names, the person obtains the chance to reside for very long in Her abode. Pleased with the devotion of those who incessantly chant these names, She fulfils their desires.
Parashurama! I have taught you the Devi-stotra. Now let us come back to the story.
Manmatha thereafter took Mother Tripura’s permission and quickly subdued the humans, demons, Devatas, Kinnaras, Yakshas, Kimpurushas and others.
Thereafter he went to Shiva with a desire to subdue him. However, he succumbed to Shiva’s wrath and was burnt like a moth in the fire. O Parashurama! Listen to that story.
Goddess Gowri took birth as Daksha’s daughter. Hearing the abuses that her father hurled upon her husband, she entered the sacrificial fire and was burnt. Thereafter she remained only as space and did not manifest in any form.
A long time elapsed. Himavan, the King of the Mountains, duly honoured Maharishi Narada who had visited him, offered him many auspicious ingredients and fed him a sumptuous meal. Thereafter he seated him appropriately on a high seat in the assembly and said,
“O Devarishi! By seeing you today I am truly blessed. May I know from which world you are coming? What is the purpose of your visit? From here, where do you propose to go?”
In response, Maharishi Narada said, “O Mountain-king! You are truly fortunate. Desirous of seeing you, I have come here from Brahma-loka. From here I will go to Shiva”.
Hearing this, Himavan asked, “Sir! Why did you say that I am fortunate? I am grieving pitiably due to being childless and actually am unfortunate”.
Consoling Himavan, Maharishi Narada said, “O Himavan! Presently you have placed implicit faith in the lotus feet of Mother Tripura, the embodiment of Supreme Energy. Hence, I said that you are truly blessed. This is because those with little merit can never develop devotion towards Her.
The Trinity and others worship Her night and day. She, in whom the entire universe is contained, that energy itself is Tripura-devi. With my yogic vision, I have seen that Maharishi Vamadeva has initiated you into a mantra. He is the most supreme among Her devotees and is an exponent in the worship of that energy. As such a supreme Maharishi has initiated you, I said that there is none more fortunate than you”.
Himavan then asked, “O Maharishi! With your yogic vision, you can see the past, present and future and are aware of all the happenings in all time frames. Hence, with compassion towards this servant, please answer me. As the childless lacks happiness show me a path by which I can get children”.
Hearing this, Maharishi Narada thought for a while and then said, “O Himavan! I am aware that you are childless. I am unable to think of any plan to counter the situation. All I can say is that undoubtedly you will get a daughter. But even she will cause you grief, for, it cannot be said that those who have children obtain only happiness in life. All the more, if a daughter is born, the concern is more. Yet, with the blessings of Mother Goddess, everything will be good for you. There is no doubt in this. If you obtain the blessings of Mother Tripura then, even if you obtain a daughter, you will obtain happiness”.
Himavan then asked, “O worshipful one! Maharishi Vamadeva has described Parashakti in the form of alphabets. But to meditate upon Her in that form is tough. In the method taught by him, Her form is very secretive and beyond speech. Hence show me the way by which I can obtain Her grace”.
Then Maharishi Narada said, “O Himavan! Mother Tripura indeed is extremely subtle, higher than even the transcendental level and cannot be comprehended by sound and other visible proofs. Supreme is Her glory. She is the cause for all causes. Only the Yogis of the highest cadre perceive Her secretive and subtle form within them which is beyond the reach of others.
However, as Her external form is gross, it is visible to all. Hence worship Her gross form and accomplish success. Do not assume Her gross form to be an ordinary one!
Ardent devotees eternally meditate upon that gross form. Among her gross forms, Gowri and Mrdāni are her transcendental forms and forms of knowledge. They form part of her infinite forms. Hence for the fulfilment of your desires, worship her”.
Hearing this, Himavan asked, “O Maharishi Narada! How is the form of Gowri that was now mentioned by you? What is her power and what is her story? How can one obtain her grace?”
Maharishi Narada then said, “I shall explain to you the auspicious form of Mother Gowri.
Mother Tripura created Gowri with the same aspect with which She had created Vishnu. Gowri is of blue complexion, is seated on a lion, has three eyes and retains the moon as a decoration on her head. In her lotus hands, she holds the sword, shield, spear and a club. She is Shiva’s wife.
At the end of the Manvantara period, Shiva will annihilate the entire creation. Yet, as he seeks shelter in her, he does not get exhausted due to the task of annihilation.
When her causal body was destroyed, this Gowri was born as Daksha’s daughter. Upon hearing the insults about her husband, she reduced her body to ashes. She is presently in the form of space. Even though the Devatas are beseeching her, she is unwilling to take on a gross form.
O King of Mountains! Due to Gowri’s absence, Shiva is grieving. Hence, you worship her and request her to be born as your daughter. If she is born as your daughter, you will shine further and will become worshipful for everyone. The Devatas will extol you. You will become the father-in-law for the great God Shiva. This will give you great renown.
O Himavan! If Gowri, who is the partial aspect of the Supreme Energy (Parashakti) is born as your daughter, you will attain happiness, renown and greatness in all the worlds”.
Sri matre namah