32 - Manifestation of the guardian deities of the seven chambers of Tripura in Shrinagara

Though the present chapter proposes to enumerate the guards of seven chambers, actually, only two-Mahåkåla in Maha-Kala-Chakra, (vv. 7-41) the protector of the first garden and the Chakra of Vasanta (vv.44-60) are described fully. Thus, every season-Grishma (Summer), Varshå (rainy season) etc. have their chakras and the duty of protecting the gardens or parks in the remaining enclosures (vv.58-66). Thus (Mahākāla +6 seasons=) seven guards are appointed to those seven enclosures. 

Agastya said: 

1. There are deities guarding the seven enclosures beginning with that made of iron. O wise one, mention their names, so that my doubts can be cleared.

Hayagriva said: 

2. Mahäkäla, the devourer of the worlds, having a dark-coloured body stays, O Pot-born sage, in the great garden of many trees. 

3. He wears a dark-coloured jacket. His eyes are red on account of intoxication. He continuously drinks the tonic beverage called the universe with which the cup of cosmic egg is filled. 

4. Seated in his throne of the nature Kalpantakalana (comprehending the end of Kalpa), he looks at Mahåkäli whose complexion is as dark as the cloud and who has become tender-hearted, due to the action of the god of love. 

5. He constantly meditates on Lalita. He is even eager to worship Lalità. Through devotion to Lalita, he enhances his longevity. He is served by the servants the most important among them being Käla and Mrutyu.¹ 

1. The concept of Time has two aspects in this Puråņa (i)

as the destroyer of every thing and (ii) the calculator or enumerator. The so-called Kala-chakra represents this complex concept. The Tantric outline of the Chakra-with Mahäkāla as the centre and the figures of a triangle and a Pentagon and Lotuses with sixteen and eight petals-appears mystical. But the contents are descriptive of the concept of Käla: Thus the three Sandhyas (twilights) are the Shaktis, in the triangle; parts of the day from dawn to noon are the Shaktis in the Pentagon, days and nights and the special days such as the full moon and new moon days are the Shaktis in 16 petals while units of time such as Kala Kaşhtha etc. are the 16 Śhaktis in the petals while names of years in Vedas are the 8 petals of another lotus. 

Kåla or Mahåkāla as the presiding deity of this Chakra occupies the central position and is depicted as deterrent, black coloured, inebriated and boisterous with a suitably terrific spouse Mahåkāli. 

6. Mahäkáli and Mahākäla carry out the orders of goddess Lalità. They stay in the first path (enclosure). They seize and impel the entire universe. 

Kalachakra: 

7. The Kalachakra (circle of Mahäkäla) of Matanga (?) forms his seat. It has four Avaraņas (outer coverings) and is rendered beautiful with the Bindu (point) at the centre. 

8. The four Avaraņas are (1) triangle, (2) pentagon, (3) lotus of sixteen petals, (4) lotus of eight petals or spokes (radii). Mahākåla is in the centre. 

9. In the (vertices of the) triangle three great deities, the Shaktis of Mahåkala, viz.: Mahakali*, Mahasandhya (great Dusk) and Mahānisha (great night) are stationed. 

            *Mahäkälyå (great Dawn) 

10. There itself in the vertices of the Pentagon are stationed the five Śhaktis, viz.: Pratyusha (Dawn), Pitruprasu (Twilight) when Pitrus are abroad), Prahna (Fore-noon), Aparåhna (Afternoon), Madhyahna (Noon). 

11-13. Then, O sage, listen to the Shaktis stationed in the lotus of sixteen petals. They are (the various parts of time such as Dina (Day), Nisha (Night), Tamishra (Dark Night), Jyotsni (Moon light Night), Pakshini, Pradosha, Nishitha, Prahara, Purnima, Raka, Anumati, Amavasya, Sinivali, Kuhu, Bhadra, the sixteenth Uparågå. These are remembered as the sixteen Shaktis stationed in the sixteen petals. 

14-17. (The units of Time, such as) Kala, Kashtha, Nimesha, Lava, Krișhaņa, Truţi, Muhurta, Kutapa, Hora, Shuklapaksha, Krishnapaksha Ayana, Vishuva, the thirteenth. Samvatsara, Parivatsara and Idavatsaro-these are remembered as the Shaktis stationed in the lotus of sixteen petals. 

Years forming a yuga in Vedic works such as Idvatsara, Induvatsară (N. Udvatsara), Avatsard and Tithi, Våra, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana--these Shaktis are stationed in the lotus with eight petals. 

18. Kali, Kalpa, Kalana and Kali, these four are the door keepers of the shining Kalachakra. 

19. All these deities of Mahakala are the wives of Kāla. Due to intoxication, they have laughing faces. They hold goblets of red lustre filled with liquor. They are dark-complexioned. 

20. They are always absorbed in worshipping, eulogising, meditating upon and repeating the names of Lalitā. They serve Mahäkäla seated in Kalachakråsana. 

21. Then, O Pot-born sage, the (guard) of Kalpakavāți is Vasanta—the spring season: (Vasanta) of great splendour, the favourite servant of Lalita. 

22. He is seated on a flowery throne. He is reddened due to intoxication by the liquor extracted from the honey of flowers. Flowers are his weapons and ornaments. He appears splendid with a flowery umbrella. 

23*. Madhuśhri and Madhavaśhri—these two deities are the wives of that shining lord (Vasanta) *. Both of them are inebriated through the spirituous liquor extracted from flowers. They are ardently desirous of the god of love having flowers for his arrows.

*The season spring consists of two months Madhu (Chaitra) and Madhava (Vaishakha); Naturally Madhushri (the Beauty of Chaitra and Madhavashri (the beauty of Vaishakha) are his wives. 

24. The defender of Santanavăţikå is Grishmartu (the summer season) of fiery eyes. He is the servant of Lalità, continuously carrying out her commands. 

25** Shukrashri and Shucishri are remembered as his two wives. 

Harichandanavați, O sage, is occupied by Varşhartu (the rainy season). 

**The season summer (Grishma) consists of two months Shukra (or Jyeșhtha) and Shuci (or Aşhadha). Hence his two wives are Shukrashri and Shucishri (the beauties of these two months). 

26-28a. That Varshartu has great splendour. Lightning streaks are his tawny eyes. He is highly resonant with thunder bolt as his boisterous laughter. He has haughty clouds for his vehicle. He is covered with clouds like coats of mail. He holds a jewel-sct bow. He is absorbed in worshipping, eulogising, meditating upon and repeating the names of Lalită. He is, O conqueror of Vindhya, one who gives great delight to all the three worlds. 

28b-29. His Śhaktis are said to be twelve, viz.*** Nabhashri, Nabhasyashri, Svarasd, Svara- (N. Sasya)-Mālini, Ambā, Dula, Nirali (N. Sarasā), Abhrayani, Meghayantrika, Varşhayanti, Cibunika (N. of a star in Kruttikā) and Varidhara. They shower rain. They have eyes reddened due to inebriation. 

***In the list of Shaktis of the Rainy Season (Varşhartu) the first two are the names of the Month Nabhas (Śhrävaņa) and Nabhasya (Bhådrapada) which constitute the Rainy season. Others are the deified natural phenomena in the rainy season. 

30-32. Alongwith those Shaktis, Varşhartu (the Rainy Season) always worships Lalità, the supreme goddess, with clusters of flowers raised by himself. He repeats her names. He adorns the countries of the devotees of Lalită by means of his wealth. He always torments the land of her enemies by means of drought. Such is the rainy season, the servant of the goddess. 

33. Sharadrutu (the Autumn) stays permanently in the grove of Mandāra trees and protects that chamber. He is splendidly glorious. He delights the mind of the world. 

34. Ishashri and Urjashri* are the beloved ones of that season. They gather water and with clusters of flowers raised by himself, he worships the empress, the consort of Shrikämeśhvara. 

*Months Isha (Ashvina) and Urja (Kärttika) cover the season called autumn. Hence, they are treated as his wives. 

35-36. Hemantarlu (Season of early winter) of great splendour has his physical body as cool as snow (cool on account of snow). His face is always delightful. He is the favourite servant of Lalita. By means of clusters of flowers raised by himself, he worships the supreme goddess (Paramešhvari). He defends the park of Parijäta. He subdues even fire. Sahaḥśhri and Sahasyashri are his two excellent consorts. **

**Sahas (Märgashirsha) and Sahasya (Pausha) are the months which constitute the season Hemanta, Hence, these months are given feminine forms and are said to be his spouses. 

37-39. The guard of the grove of Kadamba Trees is Shishirartu (the season of winter) of cool features, o excellent sage born of pot. Therefore, the entire surface of the land of that chamber is rendered cool by him. Therefore, Shyåmå, the deity residing there is also of cool nature and features. His two excellent consorts are Tapaḥśhri and Tapasyashri. *** Along with them he worships Lalitā, the mother who sanctifies the universe. 

***The months Tapas (Mágha) and Tapasya (Phålguna) form the season called Shishira and hence they are treated as the wives of the season Shishira. 

Agastya said: 

40-42. O Gandharvavadana (Hayagriva) O glorious one, among the seven chambers (and parks) consisting of different kinds of trees Mahåkāla, the guardian of the first Park has been heard by me. His Chakra (wheel or group) has been glorified by you as having four outer coverings. It is also heard from you that the guardianship of the Kalpaka and other parks belonged to the six scasons. But the deities of the Chakra are not heard (in respect of the seasons). Hence, recount in the proper order the protecting deitics (Avaraña deities) of the outer coverings of the Chakra of vasanta and others, since O holy lord, you are omniscient and great. 

Hayagriva said: 

43-45. Listen, O excellent sage, to the (enumeration of deities stationed in different Chakras (mystical circles). Kälachakra has been mentioned before. Vasantachakra (the mystical circle of spring season) is being described. It has seven outer coverings, viz.: (1) Triangle, (2) Pentagon, (3) Lotus with eight petals, (4) Lotus with sixteen petals (? Spokes), (5) Lotus with ten petals, (6) The same and (7) a square. In the centre of all, the deity of the spring season, of great brilliance is stationed in the Bindu (point) of the Chakra. 

46-48. Both the consorts Madhuśhri and Madhavashri are seated on his lap. Vasantartu (has four hands). With two of his hands, he holds fast the breasts of his consorts, one of the breasts of one with one hand and one of the breasts of the other with the other hand. With the other pair of his hands, he holds the goblet of wine rendered fragrant with flowers and a piece of meat. The mental representation of the personal figure of all the Rutus (Seasons) should be carried out in this manner, O suppressor of Vindhya. In the course of mental representation of Varsartu (Rainy season), it should be known that the first two Shaktis (viz.: Nabhahshri and Nabhasyaśhri) are seated on his lap and the other (ten) are close to him. 

49-56 Now listen to the enumeration of deities stationed in the circle of Vasanta. (There are altogether sixty of them, thirty are Tithis pertaining to Madhushri and thirty (Tithis) pertaining to Madhavashri). The deities (of Madhushri) are Madhuśhuklaprathamikå, Madhuśhukladvitiya, Madhushuklatrtiyà, Madhuśhuklachaturthika, Madhuśhuklapa nicami, Madhuśhuklaşhaşhthika, Madhushuklasaptami, Madhuśhuklaşhtami, Madhuśhuklanavami, Madhushukladaśhami, Madhuśhuklaikādashi, Madhuśhukladvadashi, Madhuśhuklatrayodashi, Madhushuklachaturdašhī, Madhuśhuklapaurņamishi, Madhukṛiṣhnaprathamă, Madhukṛiṣhṇadvitiya, Madhukṛiṣhṇatrtiya, Madhukrişhņachaturthi, Madhukrişhņapancami, Madhukrişhņaşhaşhthi, Madhukrişhņasaptami, Madhukṛiṣhṇāşhtami Madhukrişhñanavami, Madhukṛiṣhṇadaśhami. O suppressor of the Vindhya, Madhukṛiṣhṇaikådaśhī, Madhukrişhņa dvádashī, Madhukrišhņatrayodashī, Madhukrişhņachaturdashī, and Madhvama (väsyä). These are to be known as the Shaktis (of Madhushri). 

57-58. In this manner, there are thirty other Śhaktis stationed above Madhavashri beginning with Shuklapratipat (i.e., Madhavašhuklaprathamd etc.). These two together numbering sixty are well known as Vasantaśhaktis. 

59-61.¹ The seats (of sixty deities in the seven outer coverings (avarana) of Vasantachakraraja should be worshipped in the Chakra in accordance with the injunctions with their respective Mantras. There are sixty deities stationed in those sixty Bhumis (seats). They are to be worshipped separately with their respective Mantras by the Sadhakas (Aspirants of spiritual enlightenment). 

1. Vasanta-Chakra (vv.49-60) is said to have sixty deities abiding in it. But the deities are different Tithis of the bright half and of the dark half both of Chaitra and Vaishåkha which constitute the season Vasanta (Chakra). Similar Chakras for the remaining seasons (rutus) each having sixty deities (15 tithis of bright half + 15 tithis of the dark half per month. A season consists of two months. Hence 30 Tithis per month x 2 months constituting the season -60 Shaktis.) 

Such is the Vasantachakra. The same is the case in the other three*. But the deities are different according to the difference of Shukrashri, Shucishri, etc. Thus, there are gloriously splendid sixty Shaktis in the Grişhmachakra. 

*The reading Chatrishu is wrong. N. 28.176 reads Chartuşhu (Cha rutuşhu) 'and in other seasons'. 

62-63. In the same manner (understand) the different (Shaktis) belonging to Nabha and Nabhasya in the circles Varshachakra etc. There are sixty Śhaktis in each of the Chakras. Afraid of making the description voluminous, I am refraining from enumerating them. 

64. These are the Shaktis pertaining to the Rutus (Seasons). They bestow happiness on the devotees of Lalită. They are absorbed in worshipping, eulogising, meditating upon and repeating the names of Lalitā. 

65-67. They move about in the Chakras of Kalpavatika etc. They are lazy and gracefully slow due to inebriation. They propitiate the great goddess Lalita through the honey produced in their own respective flowers. 

All of them together number three hundred and sixty. In the same manner there are deities, the guardians in the seven enclosures. 

They are being recounted to you by mentioning the names also since you have asked. I shall take up the cases of other enclosures also to complete the description. Listen attentively. I shall give details and names of Shaktis also.