Tripurantaka: The Story of Shiva's Avatara, the Destroyer of Tripura

In the story from the Padma Purana, there is a powerful asura named Tarakasura. Tarakasura had three sons named Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha, and Viryavana. After the death of their father, Tarakasura, the three began performing intense tapasya or extreme meditation.

Impressed by their perseverance, Brahma granted them extraordinary powers as a gift. As part of this gift, Brahma gave each of them a fortress, which was later built by the asura architect, Mayasura. These fortresses were made of gold, silver, and iron. However, there was one important condition: the three fortresses could only be destroyed when they were aligned in a straight line and with a single arrow capable of uniting and burning them all at once.

The Three Fortresses of Asuras (Source: Personal Collection)

This was a rare and unusual blessing that Brahma had ever bestowed. The golden fortress was built in heaven, the silver fortress in the sky, and the iron fortress on earth. Tarakaksha received the golden fortress, Viryavana received the silver fortress, and Vidyunmali received the iron fortress. These fortresses were enormous, like entire cities, and housed many palaces. The asuras inhabited the three fortresses, and thus began the golden age of these great fortresses.

After obtaining these powers, the three asuras began spreading terror throughout the universe, attacking the gods and rishis, and disturbing the peace. However, due to the protection of their fortresses, the gods were unable to defeat them.

The gods began to be disturbed by the presence of Tripura (Source: Personal Collection)

The gods were displeased by this. So, they asked Brahma for help, but Brahma could not assist them. The gods then went to Shiva. However, Shiva said that the asuras had done nothing wrong, and thus, he saw no reason for the gods to be concerned. The gods then went to Vishnu. It was Vishnu's advice that the gods followed. If the problem was that the asuras had committed no wrongdoing, the solution was to tempt them into doing something wrong or sinful.

Then, cleverly, Vishnu led the three asura princes to deviate from the Vedic teachings, causing them to abandon the worship of Shiva's linga. In doing so, they fell into sin by forsaking their old beliefs. Shiva eventually agreed to destroy the three fortresses, and the gods, equipped with various weapons, accompanied Shiva.

Then Shiva summoned Vishwakarma, the divine architect, and asked him to prepare a chariot and a bow. The chariot was made of gold, and Brahma himself would be its charioteer.

The Tripurantaka Avatar of Shiva successfully destroyed Tripura (Source: Personal Collection)

Eventually, after 1,000 years had passed, the three fortresses merged into one, known as Tripura. Shiva created a divine weapon, an arrow called Pasupata, for his bow and shot it at Tripura. The arrow reduced Tripura to ashes in the blink of an eye.

With this destruction, peace was restored to the universe, and Shiva came to be known as Tripurantaka, 'The Destroyer of the Three Cities,' symbolizing his power and justice. This story serves as a reminder that although great power can be obtained, those who abandon the path of righteousness will ultimately face destruction.