In the Dasa Mahavidya Series, we are discussing Shodasi who is better known as Tripura Sundari today. The third of the Ten Mahavidyas. To read the earlier blogs in the series, click the links below .

Who is Tripura Sundari?
Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari manifests as Goddess Sati and is the feminine to Shiva’s masculine. That is, the Prakriti to his Purusha. Prakriti here also means nature. She, alongside Sadasiva, is in charge of the Pancha-Krityas – Srishti or creation, Sthithi or protection, Samhara or destruction, Thirodhana, or concealment of the planet in Maya and Anugraha or final liberation. She is also referred to as Tantric Parvati. Her name Tripura Sundari means that who is beautiful in all three lokas, that is the Pataal Lok (Hades), Prithvi Lok (Earth), and Dev Lok (Skies). Besides this one, there are several other reasons why she is known as the Tripura Sundari – She is identified with the triangle that symbolizes the Yoni (female genitalia) which is also the base of all creation

Her Mantra has three clusters of syllables

She has three major roles which are creator, maintainer, and destroyer just like Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.

She represents Subject(Maul), Instrument (Meena) and Object (Meya)

She dwells in the three worlds of Mind, Wisdom, and Awareness

Her Appearance
Her complexion is dusky, red, or golden and she is always in union with Lord Shiva. She has a Third Eye on her Forehead just like Lord Shiva and she wears a red sari with rich jewelry. She sits on a Lotus which is supported by a Golden Throne. She has four arms in which she holds 5 arrows of flowers that represent the five senses, a noose that represents attachment, a goad that represents repulsion, and a sugarcane bow that represents the mind.

Her Mantra is
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं त्रिपुर सुंदरीयै नमः॥

Om Aim Hreem Shreem Tripur Sundariyai Namah॥

Benefits of her Sadhana

Shodashi Sadhana can be done for both, pleasure and liberation. She represents both, Maya, and breaking free of Maya. As a Sadhak, you can do her Sadhana to first attain all material pleasures, family pleasure, favorable life partner, potency, and then ultimately when you realize the importance of truth and liberation, she will take your hand in hers and walk you to the other side.