Tripurantaka: Difference between revisions

Tripurari
Tripurari
	Depiction of Tripurantaka
Affiliation	Shaivism
Abode	Tripura, Bhuloka or Mount Kailash
Weapon	Pashupatastra Arrow, Pinaka Bow
Symbol	Bow, Trishula, Vasuki, Damaru
Day	Monday
Mount	Prithvi as a chariot
Festivals	Kartik Purnima
Consort	Tripura Sundari

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Tripurantaka (Sanskrit: त्रिपुरांतक, romanized: Tripurāntaka) or Tripurari is a manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva. This form of the deity is featured in a Puranic legend in which he destroys the three cities of the asuras, called Tripura, with a single arrow.^[1]

Legend

According to the Padma Purana, the asura Taraka had three sons named Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha (or Virayavana), and Vidyunmali. These asura princes performed severe penance towards the creator-god Brahma and obtained the boon of immense power. Brahma, on being pleased with them, presented each of them with an aerial fortress revolving in the sky, one each of gold, silver, and iron built by Mayasura.^[2] The boon granted the provision that they would reign for a millennium and could be destroyed only by an arrow that could merge the three forts into one, and set them ablaze. The asuras, armed with this boon, wreaked havoc on the universe. The asuras well-entrenched in their aerial cities would mount attacks on the devas (gods) and the rishis (sages), and harass them. Ultimately, the gods and the sages approached Shiva, pleading for his assistance in removing this menace. Shiva refused as they were not engaging in undue harm. Vishnu caused the brothers to convert to Jainism, abandoning the worship of the lingam.^[3]

Seeing that the asuras had engaged in sin, Shiva created a bow and an arrow and a chariot with the various gods and goddesses and components of the universe. His chariot was the earth itself, his wheels were the sun and the moon, his bow was Mount Meru with Vasuki was its string. With Brahma as the charioteer, he sped across, and shot a single arrow of fire, representing Vishnu. The cosmic arrow destroyed the three cities.^[4]

Shiva immediately regretted his decision to release the arrow, since he had forgotten to protect Maya, a great devotee of his. Realising this, Nandi raced ahead of the arrow and informed Maya of the impending doom. Instantly, Maya fled Tripura, leaving behind the great city he had constructed, which was immediately reduced to ashes, along with its inhabitants, the asuras, by the great arrow of Shiva. This destruction of Tripura, led to the appellation Tripurantaka, for Shiva.

The legend is also featured in theYajurveda:^[5]

The Asuras had three citadels; the lowest was of iron, then there was one of silver, then one of gold. The gods could not conquer them; they sought to conquer them by siege; therefore they say--both those who know thus and those who do not--'By siege they conquer great citadels.' They made ready an arrow, Agni as the point, Soma as the socket, Visnu as the shaft. They said, 'Who shall shoot it?' 'Rudra', they said, 'Rudra is cruel, let him shoot it.' He said, 'Let me choose a boon; let me be overlord of animals.' Therefore is Rudra overlord of animals. Rudra let it go; it cleft the three citadels and drove the Asuras away from these worlds. The observance of the Upasads is for the driving away of foes. One should not offer another libation in front; if be were to offer another libation in front, he would make something else the beginning. He sprinkles clarified butter with the dipping-ladle to proclaim the sacrifice. He makes the offering after crossing over without coming back; verily he drives away his foes from these worlds so that they come not back. Then returning he offers the Upasad libation; verily having driven away his foes from these worlds and having conquered he mounts upon the world of his foes.
— Yajurveda, Tattiriya Samhita, vi.2.3

Significance

Stella Kramrisch's full analysis of the Tripurasamhara episode appears in Chapter XI.3 of her book, The Presence of Siva [Princeton University Press, 1981], in the section on "Cosmic Demons."^[6] In one part, Kramrisch speaks of the story as having "the body of man for its scene":

"the Asuras entered the bodies of men. Then pride, which destroys man's dharma, arose. From pride arose anger, then shameful behavior, then delusion." [in IX.3.iii of Kramrisch's book, "Tripura in the Microcosm," p. 411]

Iconography

Tripurantaka is usually portrayed as an archer with four arms,^[7] his third (right arm) carrying the trishula, while the fourth (left) holding the damaru, in the other two he holds the pinaka bow releasing the pashupatastra missile on Tripura.

The earliest form of this can be seen in Pattadakal (belonging to Badami Chalukya period, 6-7 AD). Rashtrakutas also followed the same features as can be seen in Ellora, Kailasanatha Temple. Tripuranthakeshwara temple at Balligave is built by Kalyana Chalukyas. During Hoysala period, this story was presented in more detail and with beautiful ornamentation as can be seen in Hoysala temples at Javagal and Hosa Holalu. During this period, representing Tripurasura in 3 circular patterns began. This style is carried on by Vijayanagara sculptures and painters. One can see this depiction in murals at Virupaksha temple at Hampi.

In Hindu art, Tripurantaka is seen as a giant person of light showering light at the darkness which is known as "the destroyer of evil and darkness".

Festivals

Tripurantaka had various festivals, mainly he is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, which falls under the month of Kartika. He is also worshiped on Maha Shivaratri as an important manifestation of Shiva.

Devotees offer prasad which are Hindu sacred offerings to the deity, Tripurantaka prayers are usually done on the day of Rudra yajna which he is seen as the protector of the universe.

An image of Tripurantaka is enshrined at Tiruvatikai near Chidambaram. The Veeratteswarar temple here is one of the eight Veerata sthalas celebrating Shiva as the destroyer of evil forces. Tripurantaka is also enshrined at Tiruvirkolam (Koovum) near Chennai.

References

^ A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India. p. 560.
^ Chandra, Suresh (1998). Encyclopaedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Sarup & Sons. p. 342. ISBN 978-81-7625-039-9.
^ Krishna, Nanditha (2007-10-16). The Book of Demons. Penguin UK. p. 152. ISBN 978-93-5118-144-6.
^ Chugh, Lalit (2017-05-23). Karnataka's Rich Heritage – Temple Sculptures & Dancing Apsaras: An Amalgam of Hindu Mythology, Natyasastra and Silpasastra. Notion Press. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-947137-36-3.
^ Keith, Arthur Berriedale (2020-09-28). The Yajur Veda (Taittiriya Sanhita). Library of Alexandria. p. 378. ISBN 978-1-4655-7839-6.
^ Kramrisch, S. (2021-02-09). The Presence of Siva (in Latin). Princeton University Press. p. 415. ISBN 978-0-691-22422-0.
^ Stutley, Margaret (2019-04-09). The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography. Routledge. p. 340. ISBN 978-0-429-62425-4.

Sources

Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
Encyclopedia of Hinduism – Volumes on Shiva Ed. by Dr. Nagendra Kr. Singh (ASIN B09JWTPLCM)

[1] A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India. p. 560.

[2] Chandra, Suresh (1998). Encyclopaedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Sarup & Sons. p. 342. ISBN 978-81-7625-039-9.

[3] Krishna, Nanditha (2007-10-16). The Book of Demons. Penguin UK. p. 152. ISBN 978-93-5118-144-6.

[4] Chugh, Lalit (2017-05-23). Karnataka's Rich Heritage – Temple Sculptures & Dancing Apsaras: An Amalgam of Hindu Mythology, Natyasastra and Silpasastra. Notion Press. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-947137-36-3.

[5] Keith, Arthur Berriedale (2020-09-28). The Yajur Veda (Taittiriya Sanhita). Library of Alexandria. p. 378. ISBN 978-1-4655-7839-6.

[6] Kramrisch, S. (2021-02-09). The Presence of Siva (in Latin). Princeton University Press. p. 415. ISBN 978-0-691-22422-0.

[7] Stutley, Margaret (2019-04-09). The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography. Routledge. p. 340. ISBN 978-0-429-62425-4.

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[2]

[3]

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[6]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Form of Hindu god Shiva}}
-{{Faith primary|date=February 2017}}
 {{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
-| type       = Hindu
+| type = Hindu
-| affiliation = Aspects of [[Shiva]]
+| affiliation = [[Shaivism]]
-| image      = File:Tripurantakar destroying linear Tripura..jpg
+| image = File:Tripuranthaka.JPG
-| caption    = Tripurantaka releases the [[Pashupatastra]] arrow on [[Tripura]]
+| caption = Depiction of Tripurantaka
-| name       = Tripurantaka
+| name = Tripurari
+| abode = Tripura, [[Plane (esotericism)|Bhuloka]] or [[Mount Kailash]]
-| Sanskrit_transliteration = {{IAST|Tripurāntaka}}
+| symbol = [[Pinaka (Hinduism)|Bow]], [[Trishula]], [[Vasuki]], [[Damaru]]
-| Devanagari = {{lang|sa|त्रिपुरान्तक}}
+| weapon = [[Pashupatastra|Pashupatastra Arrow]], [[Pinaka (Hinduism)|Pinaka Bow]]
-| god_of     = God of Protection and destroyer of darkness and evil
+| day = [[Monday]]
-| mantra     = ॐ नामों हिरण्याक्ष भावी।, Om Namo Hirānyā Bāhāve
+| consort = [[Tripura Sundari]]
-| weapon     = [[Pashupatastra|Pashupatastra Arrow]], [[Pinaka (Hinduism)|Pinaka Bow]]
+| mount = [[Prithvi]] as a chariot
-| consort    = [[Tripura Sundari]]
-| mount      = [[Prithvi]] as a chariot
 | festivals = [[Kartik Purnima]]
 }}
-'''Tripurantaka''' ({{Lang-sa|त्रिपुरांतक}}) or '''Tripurari''' and '''Pashupati''' is a manifestation of the Hindu god [[Shiva]]. In this aspect, Shiva is depicted  with four arms wielding a bow and arrow, but different from the Pinakapani murti. He holds an axe and a deer on the upper pair of his arms. In the lower pair of the arms, he holds a bow and an arrow respectively. After destroying Tripura, Tripurantaka Shiva smeared his forehead with three strokes of Ashes. This has become a prominent symbol of Shiva and is practiced even today by Shaivites.
+'''Tripurantaka''' ({{Langx|sa|त्रिपुरांतक|translit=Tripurāntaka}}) or '''Tripurari''' is a manifestation of the Hindu god [[Shiva]]. This form of the deity is featured in a [[Puranas|Puranic]] legend in which he destroys the three cities of the [[asura]]s, called [[Tripura (mythology)|Tripura]], with a single arrow.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC |title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India |pages=560}}</ref>
 ==Legend==
+According to the ''[[Padma Purana]]'', the asura [[Tārakāsura|Taraka]] had three sons named Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha (or Virayavana), and Vidyunmali. These asura princes performed severe penance towards the creator-god [[Brahma]] and obtained the boon of immense power. Brahma, on being pleased with them, presented each of them with an aerial fortress revolving in the sky, one each of gold, silver, and iron built by [[Mayasura]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chandra |first=Suresh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mfTE6kpz6XEC&pg=PA342 |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses |date=1998 |publisher=Sarup & Sons |isbn=978-81-7625-039-9 |pages=342 |language=en}}</ref> The boon granted the provision that they would reign for a millennium and could be destroyed only by an arrow that could merge the three forts into one, and set them ablaze. The asuras, armed with this boon, wreaked havoc on the universe. The asuras well-entrenched in their aerial cities would mount attacks on the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] (gods) and the [[rishi]]s (sages), and harass them. Ultimately, the gods and the sages approached Shiva, pleading for his assistance in removing this menace. Shiva refused as they were not engaging in undue harm. [[Vishnu]] caused the brothers to convert to [[Jainism]], abandoning the worship of the [[lingam]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Krishna |first=Nanditha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VwhtAwAAQBAJ&dq=tripurantaka+Taraka&pg=PT152 |title=The Book of Demons |date=2007-10-16 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-93-5118-144-6 |pages=152 |language=en}}</ref>
-Shiva as Tripurantaka is accredited with destroying three [[Hindu mythology|mythical]] cities of the [[asura]]s. Out of eight legends narrating Shiva's role as the destroyer of evil, the Tripura-samhara (Destruction of the three citadels) legend relates to the destruction of the three evil cities [[Tripura (mythology)|Tripura]] by Shiva.
+Seeing that the asuras had engaged in sin, Shiva created a bow and an arrow and a chariot with the various gods and goddesses and components of the universe. His chariot was the [[Prithvi|earth]] itself, his wheels were the [[Surya|sun]] and the [[Chandra|moon]], his bow was [[Mount Meru]] with [[Vasuki]] was its string. With [[Brahma]] as the charioteer, he sped across, and shot a single arrow of fire, representing [[Vishnu]]. The cosmic arrow destroyed the three cities.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chugh |first=Lalit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fdEkDwAAQBAJ&dq=tripurantaka+tripura&pg=PT85 |title=Karnataka's Rich Heritage – Temple Sculptures & Dancing Apsaras: An Amalgam of Hindu Mythology, Natyasastra and Silpasastra |date=2017-05-23 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=978-1-947137-36-3 |pages=85 |language=en}}</ref>
-The demon Taraka had three off-springs named Taarakaaksha, Kamalaaksha and Vidyunmaali. These demon princes performed severe penance towards the creator-god [[Brahma]] and obtained the boon of immense power. Brahma, on being pleased with them, presented each of them with an aerial city revolving in the sky.  The legend further states that these three cities or forts (Tripura) continued to revolve in the sky for hundreds of years. In the course of revolving, the three would converge very rarely. The boon granted them that they would live for a thousand years in the three invincible, moving cities  and that they would be destroyed only by an arrow that could merge the three forts into one, and set them to fire. The demons, armed with this boon, wreaked havoc on the universe. The asuras well-entrenched in their aerial cities would mount attacks on the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] (gods) and the [[rishi]]s (sages), and harass them. Ultimately, the gods and the sages approached Shiva and pleaded for his assistance in removing this menace. Lord Shiva agreed to help them and waited for an opportune moment.
+[[File:Shiva Tripurantaka.jpg|thumb|298x298px|Here, the five-headed Tripurantaka is seen pointing an arrow towards the Tripura (rightmost top corner) with the bow made of Mount Meru, the serpent Vasuki is seen as its string. The four headed god Brahma is seen as the charioteer. The moon and the sun are depicted as the wheels of the chariot.]]
-At the end of the stipulated time period, Shiva created a bow and an arrow and a chariot with the various gods and goddesses and components of the universe. The moment the three aerial cities converged, Shiva mounted on his chariot and moved upwards. He took out his bow and arrow, and hit the converged cities with a single arrow. With Brahma as the charioteer, he sped across, and shot a single arrow of fire, which was created of none other than  [[Vishnu]]. The cosmic arrow destroyed the three cities.
+Shiva immediately regretted his decision to release the arrow, since he had forgotten to protect Maya, a great devotee of his. Realising this, [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]] raced ahead of the arrow and informed Maya of the impending doom. Instantly, Maya fled Tripura, leaving behind the great city he had constructed, which was immediately reduced to ashes, along with its inhabitants, the asuras, by the great arrow of Shiva. This destruction of Tripura, led to the appellation Tripurantaka, for Shiva.
-[[File:Shiva Tripurantaka.jpg|thumb|350px|Here, the five headed Tripurantaka is seen pointing an arrow towards the Tripura (rightmost top corner) with the bow made of mount Meru, the serpent Vasuki is seen as its string. The four headed god Brahma is seen as the charioteer. The moon and the Sun are depicted as the wheels of the chariot.]]
+The legend is also featured in the''[[Yajurveda]]'':<ref>{{Cite book |last=Keith |first=Arthur Berriedale |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ODRkA6wRWGsC&dq=Rudra+is+cruel,+let+him+shoot+it&pg=PT378 |title=The Yajur Veda (Taittiriya Sanhita) |date=2020-09-28 |publisher=Library of Alexandria |isbn=978-1-4655-7839-6 |pages=378 |language=en}}</ref>
-The components of the Tripurantaka charge are as follow:
-*Chariot: Pritvi (The Earth)
-*Charioteer: [[Brahma]]
-*Chariot Wheels: [[Sun]] and [[Moon]]
-*Bow: [[Mount Meru]]
-*Bow String: Serpent [[Vasuki (snake)|Vasuki]]
-*Arrow: [[Vishnu]]
+{{Blockquote|text=The Asuras had three citadels; the lowest was of iron, then there was one of silver, then one of gold. The gods could not conquer them; they sought to conquer them by siege; therefore they say--both those who know thus and those who do not--'By siege they conquer great citadels.' They made ready an arrow, Agni as the point, Soma as the socket, Visnu as the shaft. They said, 'Who shall shoot it?' 'Rudra', they said, 'Rudra is cruel, let him shoot it.' He said, 'Let me choose a boon; let me be overlord of animals.' Therefore is Rudra overlord of animals. Rudra let it go; it cleft the three citadels and drove the Asuras away from these worlds. The observance of the Upasads is for the driving away of foes. One should not offer another libation in front; if be were to offer another libation in front, he would make something else the beginning. He sprinkles clarified butter with the dipping-ladle to proclaim the sacrifice. He makes the offering after crossing over without coming back; verily he drives away his foes from these worlds so that they come not back. Then returning he offers the Upasad libation; verily having driven away his foes from these worlds and having conquered he mounts upon the world of his foes.|title=''Yajurveda, Tattiriya Samhita''|source=vi.2.3}}
-One version of the myth maintains that, finally when everything was ready for the Tripura invasion, the devas were proud that only with their help Shiva is going to destroy the Tripuras. But to the astonishment of all, Lord Shiva, didn't use any of the war machinery arranged by the Devas. Lord Shiva, instead smiled and in that smile the three purams were burned immediately. In fact, the Rudraksha appeared from the three eyes of Shiva during tripurasamhAra. The pride and thought of devas that without their help the God would not have been able to destroy the tripuras was proved wrong. Shocked at this act, Brahma pleaded that Devas thought wrong and that Shiva should forgive and release the arrow, or else the Devas would have a permanent bad name and the reason behind making this chariot would become meaningless. Shiva then fired the arrow on the already burning Cities.
+== Significance ==
-When Lord Shiva seated on the chariot before heading to war, chariot was unable to move forward, Lord Vishnu took form as bull and dragged the chariot and then became the bull flag on top of chariot. After destroying three cities Lord Shiva started tandava nritya on debris which is also called as "Tripura Nasha Nartana".
+{{Saivism}}
+[[Stella Kramrisch]]'s full analysis of the Tripurasamhara episode appears in Chapter XI.3 of her book, The Presence of Siva [Princeton University Press, 1981], in the section on "Cosmic Demons."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kramrisch |first=S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OzQGEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA415 |title=The Presence of Siva |date=2021-02-09 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-22422-0 |pages=415 |language=la}}</ref> In one part, Kramrisch speaks of the story as having "the body of man for its scene":
+{{Blockquote|text="the Asuras entered the bodies of men. Then pride, which destroys man's dharma, arose. From pride arose anger, then shameful behavior, then delusion." [in IX.3.iii of Kramrisch's book, "Tripura in the Microcosm," p. 411]}}
-The Devas then understood:
+==Iconography==
-. Shiva can take the power of anyone/anything because it is his power that is already existing in first place.
+Tripurantaka is usually portrayed as an archer with [[Chaturbhuja|four arms]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stutley |first=Margaret |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vQWQDwAAQBAJ&dq=tripurantaka+cities&pg=PT340 |title=The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography |date=2019-04-09 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-62425-4 |pages=340 |language=en}}</ref> his third (right arm) carrying the [[Trisula|trishula]], while the fourth (left) holding the [[damru|damaru]], in the other two he holds the [[Pinaka (Hinduism)|pinaka]] bow releasing the [[pashupatastra]] missile on [[Tripura (mythology)|Tripura]].
+The earliest form of this can be seen in [[Pattadakal (town)|Pattadakal]] (belonging to [[Badami Chalukya architecture#Badami cave temple|Badami Chalukya period]], 6-7 AD). Rashtrakutas also followed the same features as can be seen in [[Ellora]], [[Kailasa temple, Ellora|Kailasanatha Temple]]. Tripuranthakeshwara  temple at Balligave is built by Kalyana Chalukyas.  During Hoysala period, this story was presented in more detail and with beautiful ornamentation as can be seen in Hoysala temples at Javagal and Hosa Holalu. During this period, representing [[Tripurasura]] in 3 circular patterns began. This style is carried on by Vijayanagara sculptures and painters. One can see this depiction in murals at [[Virupaksha Temple, Hampi|Virupaksha temple]] at Hampi.
-. Even though the boon granted was "one-arrow-one-shot and cities should be destroyed", Shiva has the ultimate power to rule them over.
+In [[Hindu art]], Tripurantaka is seen as a giant person of light showering light at the darkness which is known as "the destroyer of evil and darkness".
-. Lord Shiva does not require a huge Chariot with Meru as bow, Vishnu as arrow etc. He could simply destroy/create anything even without moving his eyes.
+==Festivals==
-The "smile and burn" act of Shiva in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] is beautifully called as "punnagaithu purameritha peruman" ("சிரித்துப்புரமெரித்த பெருமான்")(God who laughed and burned the three purams)
+Tripurantaka had various festivals, mainly he is celebrated on [[Kartik Purnima]], which falls under the month of [[Kartik (month)|Kartika]]. He is also worshiped on [[Maha Shivaratri]] as an important manifestation of [[Shiva]].
+Devotees offer [[prasad]] which are Hindu sacred offerings to the deity, Tripurantaka prayers are usually done on the day of [[Rudra|Rudra yajna]] which he  is seen as the protector of the universe.
-Tripurantaka, is the manifestation of Shiva as the destroyer of the Tripuras. Tripurantaka idol is enshrined at Tiruvatikai near Chidambaram. The Veeratteswarar temple here is one of the 8 Veerata stalas celebrating Shiva as the destroyer of evil forces. Tripurantaka is also enshrined at Tiruvirkolam (Koovum) near Chennai.
+An image of Tripurantaka is enshrined at Tiruvatikai near Chidambaram. The Veeratteswarar temple here is one of the eight Veerata sthalas celebrating Shiva as the destroyer of evil forces. Tripurantaka is also enshrined at Tiruvirkolam (Koovum) near Chennai.
-Stella Kramrisch maintains of the Tripurantaka episode in her book 'The Presence of Shiva' that:
-''"The asuras had taken over the three cities of the gods and the allusion was also to the triple passions of Pride, Anger and Delusion in the site of the devotee. These cities of the demons needed to be destroyed by Shiva when they were felled by a single arrow. The Tripura myth also had a cosmo-symbolical dimension where Shiva regained for the gods a universe from which they were ousted. His mythical arrow was equivalent in efficacy with the rites performed by the gods with Agni as their agent. These cities were the work of the demon mastermind - Maya. It was a world conquest, a universal conflagration that wiped out the demons from the earth, air and sky."''
-Metaphysically, the purpose of destruction of Tripura by Shiva is only for purification. He gave life to the three demon princes. Though they had adopted the wrong path, they were initially devotees of Shiva. They repented for their wrongdoings and Shiva forgave them and granted them the boon to one of them of the great service of fanning him with chamaram, and to the others, the service as Shivaganas in his abode.
-=== Mayasura Protected ===
-Lord Shiva immediately regretted his act of releasing arrow, since he had forgotten to protect Maya, a great devotee of his. Realising this, [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]] raced ahead of the arrow and informed Maya of the impending doom. Instantly, Maya fled Tripura, leaving behind the great city he had constructed, which was immediately reduced to ashes, along with its inhabitants, the [[Asura|Asuras]], by the great arrow of Shiva. This destruction of Tripura, led to the appellation Tripurantaka (त्रिपुरान्तक), for Shiva.
-==Iconography==
-Tripurantaka is usually potarted as an archer with four arms, his third (right arm) carrying the [[Trisula]], while the fourth (left) holding the [[damru]], in the other two he holds the [[Pinaka (Hinduism)|Pinaka Bow]] releasing the [[Pashupatastra|Pashupatastra Arrow]] on [[Tripura (mythology)|Tripura]].
-==Festivals==
 ==See also==
@@ Line 70: / Line 54: @@
 *[[Tripurantaka Temple]]
-==Notes==
+==References==
 {{reflist}}
-==References==
+==Sources==
 *''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend'' ({{ISBN|0-500-51088-1}}) by Anna Dallapiccola
-*''Encyclopedia of Hinduism - Volumes on Shiva'' Ed. by Dr. Nagendra Kr. Singh
+*''Encyclopedia of Hinduism – Volumes on Shiva'' Ed. by Dr. Nagendra Kr. Singh ({{asin|B09JWTPLCM}})
 {{HinduMythology}}

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