Siva as Tripurari

Chapter 10

Having finished the narration of Hiranyakasipu, Narada Muni briefly described the killing of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Sisupala and Dantavakra. [] Since the conversation with Maharaja Yuddhistira was to establish the Lord’s impartiality, Narada again highlighted this fact. He impressed upon Maharaja Yuddhistira that the fortune of the Pandavas was unique, since Krishna was practically their constant companion. The Lord is ultimately the protector of everyone, even demigods like Brahma and Siva. To prove it, Narada told one more story.

Once, Maya Danava constructed Tripura, the ‘three invisible residences,’ for his demoniac friends. Strategically utilising these facilities, the demons expertly attacked the demigods, who approached Lord Siva in desperation. Siva demolished those residences with golden arrows, but as the demons fell, Maya Danava arranged a nectar-filled well for them to enter which made them invincible again. To assist Siva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma transformed into a cow and calf respectively, and drank all the nectar. Taking advantage of this, Siva quickly annihilated the demons and thus became famous as Tripurari, the dismantler of the three palaces.