Shiv Puran Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda: Tripura, Jalandhara and Andhaka

The Yuddha Khanda tells of Shiva's battles to protect the gods and the world from mighty asuras. In each story the asura becomes invincible through a boon or merit, and falls through his own pride and wrongdoing.

The burning of Tripura

Tarakasura had three sons, Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali. After their father's death they performed severe austerities and asked Brahma that the demon architect Maya build them three cities, one of gold in heaven, one of silver in the sky and one of iron on earth, to be destroyed only when, once in a thousand years, the three came into line and someone pierced all three with a single arrow.

At first the brothers lived righteously and were devoted to Shiva, but in time they grew arrogant and tormented the gods. Vishnu sent a teacher of illusion who led them away from dharma. Then, at the gods' prayer, Shiva prepared for war: the earth became his chariot, the sun and moon its wheels, Brahma the charioteer, the Vedas the horses, Mount Meru the bow, Vasuki the bowstring and Vishnu himself the arrow. When the three cities came into line, Shiva burned all three with a single arrow, and so is called Tripurari. That day was Kartik Purnima, also called Tripurari Purnima or Dev Deepavali. Maya was spared because he was Shiva's devotee.

Jalandhara and Vrinda

Angered by Indra's pride, Shiva cast the fire of his third eye into the ocean. From it a child was born, raised by the ocean and named Jalandhara. He became a mighty asura and married Vrinda, daughter of Kalanemi, a woman of perfect fidelity and a devotee of Vishnu. By the power of her chastity Jalandhara was invincible.

Jalandhara conquered the gods and then, desiring Parvati, attacked Kailash. Shiva fought him, but he would not die because of Vrinda's virtue. Then Vishnu took Jalandhara's form and broke Vrinda's vow, and at that moment Shiva cut off Jalandhara's head with his discus.

Learning the truth, Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become a stone, which is why he is worshipped as the Shaligram. She gave up her body, and from her ashes grew the tulsi plant. Vishnu blessed her that no worship of his would be complete without tulsi, and that tulsi would be married to the Shaligram. The Tulsi Vivah of Kartik comes from this story.

Shankhachuda

Shankhachuda, son of the demon Dambha, had in a former life been Sudama, a cowherd attendant of Krishna, and had become an asura through a curse. His wife Tulasi was also perfectly faithful, and he wore armour given by Vishnu. He oppressed the gods. Shiva fought him, and Vishnu, disguised as a Brahmin, asked him for his armour. Then Shiva's trident ended Shankhachuda, and from his bones came the conches used in worship (the custom of not offering water to Shiva from a conch is linked to this story).

Andhakasura

Once Parvati playfully covered Shiva's eyes and the whole world fell into darkness. From that darkness a blind child was born, named Andhaka. Shiva gave him to the childless asura Hiranyaksha. Grown up, Andhaka gained boons and sight through austerity and became very powerful. In his pride he forgot that Parvati was his mother and attacked Kailash to take her.

In battle every drop of his blood produced a new Andhaka, so the Mother goddesses drank his blood and Shiva lifted him on his trident. Hanging there for thousands of years, his pride was destroyed and he praised Shiva. Shiva forgave him and made him one of his chief attendants, Bhringi.

Gajasura and others

Gajasura, son of Mahishasura, harassed Shiva's devotees in Kashi. Shiva slew him and, at his request, wore his elephant hide, and so is called Krittivasa; the Krittivaseshvara linga was established in Kashi. The section also tells of Dundubhi-Nirhrada, Vidala and Utpala, and Banasura, a devotee of Shiva whose life was spared by Shiva's grace after his battle with Krishna.

What this section teaches

• Boons and power do not last when joined to wrongdoing; every asura fell through his own pride.
• When all powers unite on one goal, as in the chariot for Tripura, the impossible becomes possible.
• The story of tulsi and the Shaligram honours fidelity and shows that even the gods bear the results of their deeds.
• Shiva makes even an enemy his own when he repents, as Andhaka became Bhringi.