BHIMASHANKAR

They also begged him to take immediate measures to ward off the impending calamity. Indra was, of course, giving thought to the problem, and various schemes suggested themselves to him. However, when he scrutinised the situation he found that Tripura had already won the first round of the battle-he had conquered the six enemies-the shadripus, namely kama, krodha, mada, matsara, lobha and moha, and as such his usual wiles were not likely to affect him. Tripura could not be lured into any kind of misdeed whatever.

Indra had no other recourse but to approach Brahma for seeking relief.The grand old sage heard the complaint of the Lord of the Heavens and promised to arrange matters in a manner whereby his interests would be protected. Brahma forth with proceeded to the spot where Tripura was continuing his fierce tapa. Offering his blessings, Brahma said, - 0 Tripura, I am greatly pleased with your penance, ask whatever you want and thy wishes shall be fulfilled." The asur was quick to reply, as he knew very well what he wanted. His demands were three.

He should be invincible to the gods and the demons, to the yakshas and the gandharvas. He should be able to travel throughout the Universe, through air and through water. His three 'puras’ should be impregnable, but nothing should be unconquerable to him, not even Indra or his Amravati! "Granted" assured Brahma, but added that the asur would meet his death at the hands of a person who would be able to destroy the three puras with a single arrow. Tripura knew that this was an impossible thing to do and thus the boons made him a force invincible and unconquerable. His joy knew no bounds.

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