| After years of
patience and suffering the great objective had been realised. He, Tripura, was the sole
Lord of the Universe. This turned his head. The man who had chosen his path to success so
wisely decided to do away with it when successful. He immediately launched on a campaign
for the total subjugation of the Universe, ultimately defeated and dethroned Indra and
made himself master of the three Lokas. His followers were more arrogant than himself and
went about the task of establishing a truly 'asur ‘ regime in right earnest. The Vedas and Vedic rites were dis- carded, Yajnas discouraged, gods
and brahmins dishonoured.People submerged themselves in drink and debauchery, wanton
violence was rampant. Never before had dharma reached such a low ebb.The gods and sages,
striken with horror and sorrow decided to seek a way out through Shiva. Indra was their
natural leader. Penance of an equally severe nature was now undertaken by theenemies of
Tripura-Indra and his following of gods and rishis. Eventually gratified at the devotion
of the gods, Shiva made his appearance before them and offered his blessings.
The Lord of the Heavens, in tones made humble by defeat and
ignominy, begged Shiva to take up arms against Tripura and free the world from the
clutches of that asur by slaying him. Shiva promised to take up the cudgels on their
behalf if Indra proved his devotion by practising penance before his Jyotirlinga on the
Sahyadris. Indra forthwith proceeded to that spot and started his second round of tapa. Shiva was now really pleased and once again
appearing before Indra assured him that on the seventh day from then onwards he
would kill Tripurasur. |
