Anaadyanantamavyaktam Vyaktaanaam adikaaramam, Anandabodhaika Rasam Tanmahasya Upaasmahey/ (I meditate that Supreme in my heart and Soul that has no Beginning nor End; neither Perceivable nor Imperceptible but the Cause of Causes and the root of Knowledge and Fulfilment)

Brahma’s commedation of Tripura Sundari

Agastya Muni requested Bhagavan Hayagriva about Kanchi Kamakshi and Bhagavan explained that Maheshwara had two operational eyes viz. Kashipura and Kanchipura of which Kanchi Kshetra was a Shiva Saannidya Vaishnava Kshetra. Brahma made relentless Tapasya to Tripura Sundari Devi and she appeared as seated in Padmaasana along with Vishnu and Lakshmi. Brahma extolled as follows:

Jaya Devi Jaganmaatarjaya Tripura Sundari,

Jaya Shrinatha Sahajey Jaya Sarva Mangaley/

Jaya Jaya JagadambaNitya Rupey Jaya Jaya Santata Loka Soukhyadey,

Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhi bhutey Jaya Jaya Shringaara Naayakey Devi/

Jaya Jaya Nilayaayitaraatma Vidye JayaJaya Yogindra Vandita -anghrey,

Jaya Jaya Nija Bhaktasaatkritashrirjaya Jaya Nijanetra jaata Shiva Kaamey/

Jaya Janmasthiti dhwamsapidhaana anugrahaanrmuhuh,

Yaa karoti Swasankalpaatthasmai Devyai Namo Namah/

Varnaashramaanaam Saankarya kaarakaan Durjanaam Swayam,

Yaa hanyattha teekshnaa –strai tasyai Devyai namo namah/

Naagamairna cha Vedaischa na ShaastrairnachaYougibhih,

Suvedyaayaa Swasanvedyaa tasmai Devaim Namo Namah/

Rahasyaamnaaya Vedaantaistatwavidbhur Muneeshvaraih,

Param Brahmeti yaa proktaa tasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Hridayasthaapi Lokaanaam yenakenaapi drushyatey,

Sukshma Vignaana rupaayai Tasyai Devai Namo Namah/

Brahma Vishnuscha RudraschavIshwarascha Sadaa Shivah,

Yaddhyaanaika Paraa Nityam tasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Pancha kaarana krutyendraa yadaagnaameva bibhrati,

Saamraajya sampra deeshaayai tasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Vedaani Shwasitam yasyaa Veekshitam Bhuta Panchakam,

Smitam Charaacharam Vishwam tasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Sahasra sirsha Bhogeendro Dharitreem yhadanujnayaa,

Dhattey Sarva janaadhaaraam tasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Jalayagnasta patyarko Vaato Vaati  yadaagnayaa,

Jnaana Shakti Swarupaayai tasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Pancha Vimshati Tatwaani Maayaa Vidyaadi Panchakam,

Yanmayam Munayah Praahustasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Shiva Shaktishwaraaschaiva Shuddha Vidyaa Sadaa Shivah,

Yadynmesha Vibhedaassyustasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Gururmantro Devataacha Manah Praanaascha Panchadhaa,

Yaa Viraajati Chidrupaa tasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Sarvaatma naamaantaraatma Paramaananda Rupini,

Shri Vidyaiti smritaa yaatu tasmai Devyai Namo Namah/

Darshanaanicha Sarvaani yadangaani Vidurbudhaah,

Tatthanniyamarupaayai rupaayai tasyai Devyai Namo Namah/

Yaabhaati Sarva Lokeshu Mani Mantroushadhaatmanaa,

Tatwopadesh rupaayai tasmai Devyai Namo Namah/

Desha Kaala Padaardhaascha yadyadvastu yatha yathaa,

Tadrupena yaa bhaati tasyai Devyai namo Namah/

Sacchidaananda rupaa yaa Kalyaana guna shaalini,

Vishvottheernoti Vikhyaataa tasyai Devyai Namo Namah/   

( Jaya Jaya Jagajjanani, Tripura Sundari, Shri Nadha Sahodari, Sarva Mangala, Nitya Swarupini, Karunaamrita Sindhu, Shringaara Nayaki, Atma Vidyaa, Yogendra vanditaanghrey or she whose physique is worshipped by Yogendraas; provider of prosperity to Bhaktas; creator of Shiva’s desires from her own eyes; she who could create, preserve, destroy and re-create by her mere thought; You are Kalika who severely punishes those responsible for tampering the Varnaashrama Dharmaas; You are clearly discernible by the means of Vedas, Shastras, Agamaas and Yogaas; you are realisable only by one’s own ‘Antaraatma’of those Munis who are experts in Rahasyaamnaas, Upanishads and Tatwas address you as Para Brahma; though you are present in each and every human heart, not every one could realise you; you are Sukshma Jnaana Rupini; Brahma-Vishnu-Rudra-Ishwara-Sada Shivas worship you regularly; Saamrajya Sampadeshwari! Panchendriyas and Pancha Krityaas are under your instructions; Devi! Your sighs are Vedas and your looks are Pancha Bhutas; your smile is the Charaachara Srishti; it is with your command that Ananta Deva holds on his  thouands of hoods the weight of  Bhu Devi; it is with your approval that Agni burns, Surya provides heat, Vayu carries life; Jnaana Shakti Swarupini! Pancha Vimshati or Twenty Five Tatwaas and Mayaavidyaadi Panchakaas  are your Forms as confirmed by Maharshis; Shiva-Shakti-Ishwara-Suddha Vidya-Sadaa Shiva are all your variations; Guru- Mantra-Devata-Mental faculty and Praana are all your manifestations; you are the Antaratma of all Beings; you are Symbol of Everlasting Paramaananda or Bliss; indeed you are the Shri Vidya; all kinds of ‘Darshanas’or blessings and Yogas are your body parts; You are the Mani Aoushda Swarupa; Tatwopadesha Rupini! The kaleidoscopic differences of Desha-Kaala-Padartha or of Place-Time-Materials in the Universe in totality are but your own handi-work; You are Sacchnaanada Rupini! Sakala Kalyaana Guna Shaalini! Vishvottirna Vikhyaataa or Famed beyond the capacity of the Universe!)

As Brahma postrated before Tripura Sundari, she was extremely delighted and asked him for a boon; he requested her to be ever present in Kanchi and she readily agreed. Then he requested Janardana also to reside there for good and Sri Hari too approved. Further Brahma prayed to Devi that Maha Deva too should reside there especially due to his affection for her. Instantly, Parama Shiva manifested himself along with Gauri and they also agreed to Brahma’s proposal. Then Vishnu announced Shiva-Gouri Kalyana Mahotsava and invited Indraadi Devaas, Vaswaadi Pitru Devataas, Markandeyaadi Munis, Vasishthaadi Saptarshis, Sanaka sanandanaadi Yogis, Naradaadi Devarshis, Vaama devaadi Maha Jnaanis, Shuikaadi Jeevanmuktaas, Yaksha-Kinnara-Kimpurusha-Gandharva-Siddha- Vidyaadharaas, Pramatha Ganaadhipati Vighna Naayakas, Nava Durgaas, Brahmyaadi Sapta Matrikas, Apsarasas and so on. The most Memorable Wedding was then celebrated as Devas sounded dundhubhis (Celestial Drums), arranged light showers of flowers, dances and music. Brahma and Vani, Vishnu and  Shri Laksmi, Indra and Indraani, Devas and their spouses and the rest of Invitees made Pradakshinas and Prostrations when there were sky-high reverberations of  Victory Calls of  ‘Jaya Jaya Kamakshi’ and ‘Jaya Jaya Kameshwara’ all over the Universe!

‘Shri Kamaakshyaapaada Mastaka Varnana’ ( Shri Kamakshi’s Physical Description)

Pashyatam sarvadevanam tatraivaantaradhiyata,

Atha Dhataa Maha Gouryah pratibimba manoharam/

Chakaara Divyalohena Maha Gourisamaakruti,

Tarunaaruna Rajiva soundarya charana dvayam/

Kanatkanaka manjira pinjari kruta pithakam,

Vidyudullasa Vasanamanognya manimekhalam/

Ratnakeyura vilasiddhirajita bhujadvayam,

Mukta vaidurya manikya nibadhodhara bandhanam/

Vibhrajamanam madhyena valitritayashobhina,

Jahnavi saridavartashobhinabhi vibhushitam/

Paatira panka karpur kumkuma alankritastanam,

Aamuktamuktaalankara bhasurastanachuchukam/

Vilasena katideshanyasta vamkaarambujam,

Manikyashakalaabadha mudrikabhiralankrutam/

Dakshahastaambujaasaktasnigdhotpalamanoharam

Aadhymaprapadeenaischa divyakalpakadambakaih/

Deepta bhushana ratnamshu rajirajitadinmukham,

Tapta haataka samklyupta ratnagraiveya shobhitam/

Mangalyasutra ratnanshushrenee manjula kandharam,

Valeevatmsa maanikya taatanka pari bhushitam/

Japavidruma lavanya lalitadhara pallavam,

Dadimiphalabijaabha dantapankti viraajitam/

Shuchimandasmitollaasi kapola phalkojjvalam,

Aoupamyara hitodaara nasamani manoharam/

Vilasattkila pushpa shrivijayodyata nasikam,

Isha dunmesha madhura nilotpala vilochanam/

Prasunachaapa chaapa Shri Lalita bhruvilasakam,

Ardhendutulitam phaaley purnenduruchirananam/

Saandra saurabha sampanna kasturi tilakojvalam,

Maktalimala vilasadalakaadhya mukhaambujam/

Paarijaata prasuna stragvalugu dhammilla bandhanam,

Anargha ratna khachita makutaanchita mastakam/

Sarvalavanya vasatim bhavanam vibhramaashriyah/

Shivo Vishnuscha tatratyaassamastaascha mahajanah,

Bimbasaya tasya Devyasch na bhedam jagruhustada/

Atha bimbam Maheshani swatantraa pravivesha tat/

Agratassarva Devaanaamaascharyena prapashyataam

Bimbaakrutyaatmano Bimbey samaagatya sthitaam cha taam/

(Shri Maha Gauri’s sacred feet are bright and delicate like red lotuses with her ankles  stringed around   with golden chains fitted with tiny trinklets made of a flash of precious stones making soft sounds partly hiding  the glory of the lustrous silk sari that she was dressed in. She was ornamenetd with a charmingly designed ‘Odhyana bandhana’ (girdle) of gold with Nine Gems enhancing the glitter of the Sari. Her ever-forgiving  hands have Nava Ratna Khachita Keyuraas or armlets. Her vakshasthala was smeared with Karpura- Kumkuma-Akshataas and her graceful left hand carried ruby studded rings of gold; her right hand carried ‘snigdhotpala’ or fully blossomed lotus; her Mangala  Sutra was augmenting  the beauty and splendour emitted by the Kiranas / rays of a graceful mix of neck laces; her Adhara Pallavas (tender lips) were of soft and crimson redness; her cheeks were dimpled and constantly smiling and benign;  her nose excels with  distinction wearing a noselet of a single but unique diamond; her forehead was like half moon but her full face was far beyond the cool  brightness of a Full Moon; her Suvarana Kireeta / golden headgear full of a sparkling mix of multi-coloured an dazzling precious Stones unavailable and unseen by the Eyes of Devatas let alone human beings; She was the Epitome of Grace; the Embodiment of Kindness and the Personification of Auspiciousness).  

 As the description of Maha Gauri’s Physique ended, Vishnu and Maheshwara  could not distinguish between her and her Bimba (Hallow) and she got absorbed in it. Shri Hari prostrated before her and requested her that as per the past practice, they would wish to celebrate the Sacred Wedding of Gauri and Maha Deva so that the general public would not be deprived of an opportunity to reach their Fulfilment of desires besides attaining Salvation. There was a Celestial Approval of the Wedding Proposal stating ‘Tathaastu’ or so be it. The Kalyana was celebrated as described above in the same Annexure I and the Deities settled in their respective positions; while Shri Kama Koshtha was in the center of Shripura, Devi Lakshmi was to its left and Vishnu was to the right. Each year, human beings should  celebrate the Kalyanotsava and continue to enjoy prosperity, long life and happiness.