Happy Celebrations of Kartika Purnima

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Happy Kartik Purnima celebrations to all!

 

The full moon day in the month of Kartik heralds the festival of Dev

Diwali. Lamps are lit under the star-studded canopy of the sky and

families gather to feast and enjoy the end of the Diwali fortnight.

 

This day is also called Kartik Purnima (Purnima is the full moon day

of each month), and celebrates the coming of Vishnu as Matsya or the

fish incarnation in order to save Manu, the first man, from the

primeval flood that destroyed the universe. Manu also saved all

species of animals, birds and insects so that life could flourish

again. It is because of Manu that Man is called 'manav' or 'manushya'

in Sanskrit.

 

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Tripura (Kartika) Purnima -- Legends

 

There are legends related to Tripuri Purnima. There was a demon named

Tripuri. Tripuri does severe penance for one lakh years in the sacred

city of Prayag and with the power of his austerities becomes the ruler

of the three cities (purees) of gold (heave), silver (earth) and iron

(hell). Lord Brahma was so pleased with his penance that He asks him a

boon. Tripuri tells Brahma that no God, human being,

'nishachar' (evil spirit), woman, or disease should kill him. Brahma

grants him the boon.

 

As a result, Tripuri becomes all powerful and proud. He torments his

subjects and starts persecuting the Gods also at Trailoka or abode of

the Gods. Due to his terrorism Gods run to Lord Shiva for his help.

Lord Shiva burns all the three purees or regions of Tripuri and kills

him. Since it happened on Kartik Purnima day, it is called Tripuri

Purnima. The Gods and the people on earth expressed their joy and

their triumph for killing Tripuri by illuminating their houses.

 

Another version of this Tripuri Purnima day is that Tarakasur the

demon had three sons viz., Tarakah, Kamalaksh and Vidyutmali. Mayasur,

the renowned architect of the demons, constructed three regions and

gave one to each of them. Mayasur, however, advised them not to tread

in the path of the Gods, nor disrespect them. But, the sons became too

arrogant and started troubling the Gods. Finally, Lord Shiva fought

with them and burnt the three regions or the pures, and in it Taraksh,

Kamalaksh and Vidynmali demons meet their end.

 

Another legend narrates that there was a wicked demon called

Tarakasur. Tarakasur by his intimitable austerities pleases Lord

Brahma. After obtaining boons from Lord Brahma, Tarakasur becomes too

arrogant and a terror to every being on earth as well as the Gods in

Heaven. Enticing the eminent Vishvakarma, the architect of the Gods

and taking his help, Tarakasur builds three 'purees' or cities in ether.

 

The three cities were made one of iron, one of copper and another of

Rupees. He also takes the aid of Mayasur, the wizard artisan of the

demons, and transforms these three regions into emchanting and

magnificient revolving cities in interspace from where he could easily

command and attack the Gods. He assigns these three cities to his

three sons viz., Tarakaksh, Vidyunmali and Kamal-lochan. As destinted,

the sons were worse than their father. None of the Gods were able to

destroy Tarakasur. Brahma having given the boon, was himself helpless.

Finally, all the Gods approach Lord Shiva and plead with him to kill

the demon Tarakasur.

 

Subsequently, Lord Shiva or Shankar fasts for three days incessantly

meditating and chanting mantras and on the third day arises from His

samadhi. Next day Lord Shiva with His army of Ganas attacks Tarakasur

and with the three arrows infused with His miraculous powers of His

austerities, shoots them on each of the three cities of Tarakasur.

 

All the three glorious cities in the interespace get burnt to ashes

and along with them Tarakasur with his sons meet the same fate.

Immediately the Gods overjoyed shower rain of flowers on Lord Shiva.

This day was the Kartik Shukla Purnima and it is, therefore, known as

'Tripuri Purnima'.

 

Due to the killing of Tarakasur by Lord Shiva or Shankar, peace and

happiness spread in the world. Lord Shiva was extolled and to

celebrate the great day all the temples and houses were illuminated.

Tall staffs were erected to make illuminations and were decorated with

strings of lights to beautify and give prominence. Even today this

Utsav or Festival is observed by worshipping Lord Shiva and Naivedya

of flattened rice with coconut scrappings are offered to Him and

served as prasad to the devotees. By destroying the Tripurasura Lord

Shiva gave salvation to all. Therefore, Lord Shankar came to be called

as 'Tripuraari' The symbol of this holy episode is transmitted through

the multifarious illuminations to the world. In the evenings, pious

women leave or float lighted diyas or lamps in the rivers as offerings

to Lord Shiva.

 

Source: Free Press Journal

By Meera S. Sashital

 

Jaya Sri Radhey!

 

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