Bala Tripura Sundari
Bala, meaning ‘child’,
is conceived as the daughter of Goddess Lalitha in the Lalitha Mahatmya. When Lalitha wages battle against the Daitya
(Demon), Bhanda, Bala, with Lalitha’s blessing, takes on and defeats the thirty
sons of Bhanda.
In the Lalitha Mahatmya, Bala Tripura Sundari
is described as a radiant nine year old girl who is well versed in all martial
arts and scriptural lore. Bala is ever present at the Goddess’ side, and is as Her
vital breath made manifest in the world.
Lalitha with Bala Tripura Sundari
The esoteric
significance of the form of Bala Tripura
Sundari is encoded in her beeja mantra. Once
the seeker of the Goddess has been initiated into that mantra, Bala resides in her/him,
and overcoming all obstacles that may arise on the path, she leads them to the
highest goal – Lalitha herself.
One of the renowned
shrines to Bala Tripura Sundari is to be found near the Chamundeshwari Temple
in the Mysore District of Karnataka.
Bala Tripura Sundari Temple in Mysore
