Curse & Boon mythology stories: Demon Bhandasur & Tripur Sundari story. Indian mythology story. Demon stories from indian mythology.
Table of Contents
Bhandasura and the Rise of Lalita Devi
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Prologue: The Ashes of Desire
– The tale of Kamadeva's destruction and the origin of the ash that would become Bhandasura. -
The Creation of Bhanda
– Chitrakarma’s craftsmanship, Rudra’s gaze, and the birth of a powerful asura. -
Shukracharya's Blessing and the Asura Code
– Bhanda’s early education, rituals, and the path to power under the guidance of the guru of demons. -
Shonitapura Reborn
– The construction of a grand city and the emergence of Bhanda as Bhandasura, the pleasure-seeking demon king. -
The Forgotten Vedas and Rise of Maya
– Bhandasura’s fall into illusion, the loss of dharma, and neglect of the guru and gods. -
Alarm in Heaven: The Gods Assemble
– Indra, Brahma, and other devas witness the imbalance and decide to act. -
Ten Thousand Years of Fire and Flesh
– The devas’ intense penance to invoke the Supreme Feminine Energy. -
The Radiance of Lalita Tripurasundari
– The grand appearance of Adi Parashakti as Lalita Devi, armed and divine. -
The Formation of the Devi’s Army
– Birth of her generals: Sampatkari, Dandanatha, the Nitya Shaktis, Nakuli, and others. -
The Cosmic Chariot: Sri Chakra Ratha
– The sacred geometry and symbolism behind Lalita's chariot of war. -
Battle Cries in Shonitapura
– The first assault against Bhandasura and his illusion-wielding warriors. -
The Fall of Vishukra and Vishanga
– The slaying of Bhandasura’s brothers and key commanders. -
Mahapadmasura and the Dark Spells
– The black magic warfare launched by the demons and its divine countermeasures. -
Lalita vs Bhandasura: The Final War
– A celestial duel between Supreme Wisdom and Ignorance Incarnate. -
The Destruction of Bhandasura
– The breaking of illusion, the fall of the demon, and the restoration of dharma. -
Return to Light: The Rebirth of Cosmic Order
– How balance is restored and the gods return to their rightful realms. -
Epilogue: The Eternal Flame of Shakti
– The relevance of Lalita's war in every age and the undying power of the Divine Feminine.
Upon Sage Agastya's inquiry, Hayagriva explained that Bhandasura was born from the fire of Rudra’s wrath. Hence, Bhanda became a demon. His nature was extremely fierce. Bhanda had the form of Kamadeva (the god of love). The gods had once used Kamadeva as a means to disturb Lord Shiva’s penance to unite him in marriage with Parvati. But as soon as Shiva opened his third eye, Kamadeva was reduced to ashes. This deeply saddened Parvati.
Witnessing Kamadeva's incineration, Chitrakarma, the presiding deity of the ganas, created a wondrous figure from the ashes. When Rudra beheld this form, his gaze infused it with life. It appeared as though Kamadeva had once again become embodied. He became extremely powerful and radiant, his brilliance akin to the midday sun. Overjoyed, Chitrakarma embraced him and said, "O son! Praise Mahadeva. He is the giver of all things." Saying this, Chitrakarma bestowed upon him the hymn of Shatarudriya.
The boy recited the mantra a hundred times, bowing to Rudra. Lord Mahadeva, pleased with the boy's devotion, asked him to request a boon. The boy asked that he may always possess half the strength of his enemy combined with his own, and that his arrows would render his enemies’ vital weapons and generals ineffective. Mahadeva granted the boon, saying "Tathastu" (so be it), and after a moment of silence added that the boy would rule for sixty thousand years. Witnessing this generous act, Brahma exclaimed, "Bhanda, Bhanda, Bhanda" — thus the boy came to be known as Bhanda. The word "Bhanda" means "fortunate." In time, this boy came to be known as Bhandasura.
After some time, Bhanda became a powerful ruler. Hundreds and thousands of demons accepted him as their king. The demon guru, Shukracharya, accepted him as a disciple. At his guidance, Bhanda invoked Maya (illusion) and summoned many demon architects to reconstruct a grand city in Shonitapura, a site of ancient demon civilization, near the Kedar-Ganga or Mandakini river. Soon, the city was magnificently rebuilt. Bhandasura himself went there.
One day he heard the sound of a flute and saw an extraordinarily beautiful woman with her companions. Entranced by her, Bhandasura and his generals became engrossed in pleasures, completely forgetting the Vedas and Lord Shiva. They abandoned sacred rituals and began to insult even their guru, Shukracharya. Ten thousand years passed in this indulgence. The gods breathed a sigh of relief, but the demons became more and more tyrannical.
One day, Sage Narada arrived at Indra’s court. After being welcomed, he warned Indra that Bhandasura was deeply entangled in the illusion of Vishnu’s Maya. If he were to be freed from this enchantment, he could incinerate all three worlds. He was more powerful and magical than even Indra. Therefore, it was necessary to destroy his energy. Narada advised Indra to worship the Supreme Shakti (Goddess), as only she could destroy him.
Alarmed, Indra and the other gods resolved to worship the Goddess and journeyed towards the Himalayas. They began worshipping the Supreme Shakti on the banks of the Bhagirathi. Their penance lasted ten thousand years. Hearing of this, the demons were stunned. Shukracharya went to Bhandasura and said, "O King, by your strength alone do demons roam the three worlds without fear. Lord Vishnu, ever hostile to your kind, has bewitched you with this illusion. Meanwhile, Indra and the gods have begun intense penance to please the Supreme Goddess Tripurasundari. If she is pleased, the gods will surely win the war. Therefore, renounce the illusory woman and go to the Himalayas with your ministers to disrupt their penance."
Bhandasura’s minister Shrutavarma also advised the same. Accepting their counsel, Bhandasura set off with his ministers to hinder the gods’ penance. On the way, the Goddess erected an impenetrable wall to block them. The demons used powerful machines to destroy the wall, which was repeatedly rebuilt and destroyed. Eventually, the demons grew tired and retreated.
Meanwhile, the gods’ penance grew more intense. Eventually, they began offering the flesh of their own bodies into the fire. When that was exhausted, they resolved to offer themselves entirely. As they made this decision, the fire blazed intensely, and from its center emerged a brilliant disc. In its center, they beheld the Great Goddess, resplendent like the morning sun, incomparable in form, holding a noose, goad, bow, and five arrows. The gods, overjoyed, bowed and praised her. The Goddess, pleased, asked them to request a boon.
Indra prayed, “O Mother! Protect us. We seek your refuge. Bhandasura has brought us into grave peril.” Hearing their plea, the Goddess said, “I will defeat and slay Bhandasura in battle, and grant you dominion over the three worlds.”
Elated, the gods returned to their abodes. Meanwhile, the demons continued their atrocities. The gods, though suffering, held faith in the Goddess’s promise. One day, Sage Narada visited the Goddess and described the unbearable torment the gods faced. Hearing this, the Goddess resolved to slay Bhandasura. Preparations for war began.
Goddess Lalita Parameshwari ordered her forces—Sampatkari, Aparajita, Dandanatha, and others—to march. As her army advanced, the four directions resounded with their presence. Her powers led the army, accompanied by wrathful Bhairavas and goddesses like Chandi and Dandanatha, who rode her lion Vajraghosa. The gods chanted her names from the skies. Sanketa Yogini, Yantrini, and Tantrini were among those who led the army. Lalita’s chariot was surrounded by several Akshauhini divisions.
The news of Lalita’s march spread like lightning. It reached Bhandasura’s capital, Shunyaka, near Mount Mahendra, where his brother Vishanga lived. The city, a hundred yojanas wide, erupted in panic. Earthquakes and fires broke out. The people rushed to Bhandasura’s court, pleading for help.
Bhandasura convened his council. His brothers Vishanga and Vishukra ordered the army to prepare. Boasting of their might, demon generals mocked the gods, claiming they were cowards and even Maheshwara was terrified. One general even declared he would drag Lalita by her hair to Bhandasura’s feet. Vishanga warned not to repeat the fate of Hiranyakashipu, Mahishasura, Shumbha, and Nishumbha.
Emboldened, Bhandasura ordered his forces to battle. The demons launched the first attack. The gods responded with a thunderous charge. A fierce battle ensued, and the ground was littered with fallen warriors. Sampatkari caused chaos in the demon ranks. Two demon generals were slain.
Then, the Goddess herself appeared, and her sight alone sent the demons fleeing. Bhandasura sent five generals with a hundred Akshauhini troops who employed the illusion of serpents (Sarpini Maya). The battlefield filled with fearsome serpents, many-headed and multiplying upon death. The goddess Nakuli emerged in wrath, manifesting 320 million Garudas with her 32 teeth, who devoured the serpents and destroyed the illusion.
Infuriated, Bhandasura sent thirty more Akshauhinis. Despite their prowess in illusion, they were quickly overwhelmed. One powerful goddess beheaded their general in the first encounter. Seven generals perished, including Balaha. Even Asuric illusions failed before the Mahamaya.
Vishanga attacked the flanks of the goddess’s army, exploiting the night’s darkness. The goddess’s chariot, guarded by Anima and other powers, was attacked. The powers were wounded and informed Lalita. Meanwhile, demon general Kutilaksha launched a frontal assault. Vishanga destroyed the umbrella of Lalita’s chariot with an arrow.
Now enraged, the goddess and her forces launched a counterattack. Goddess Vanavasini dispelled the darkness with her power. Kameshwari joined the fight. The Nitya goddesses on their lions, tore through the demon forces. Kameshi, Bhagamalini, Nityaklinna, Merunda, Mahavajreshwari, Shivadooti, Tvarita, and Kulasundari killed many demon generals. Vishanga barely escaped with his life.
Lalita was pleased with the valor of her Nitya goddesses. Hayagriva narrates: Kutilaksha fled to Bhandasura in despair. Inspired by the courage of Mantrini and Dandanatha, Bhandasura dispatched more troops, but by now, the goddess’s army was fully organized..
