Astronomy:Bhandasura

Short description: Asura in Hindu literature

Bhandāsura is an asura who appears in Hindu literature, most prominently in Shaktism. He is featured in the Lalita Mahatmaya of the Brahmanda Purana, where he is slain by the goddess Lalita.

Legend

After his brothers were slain by the goddess Lalita, Bhandasura swore vengeance upon her. The armies of the two beings met in battle. Hundreds of the vehicles of daityas are stated to have appeared like hundreds of fishes and crocodiles. A river of blood is stated to have flowed. After four days, the leaders of the armies met in personal combat. The two beings engaged in an exchange of missiles. Andhatāmisraka (the great darkness) was sent by Bhandasura, which was neutralised by Lalita's Mahātaraṇi (the great sun). To assist her soldiers who were known as Śaktis, the goddess sent the powerful astra of the deity Vishnu, which offered great respite to them. When the asura assailed Lalita's army with the Mahāsurāstra, thousands of asuras sprung out, placing the Śaktis of the goddess in great peril, who pleaded her for an intervention. When Lalita laughed, the goddess Durga manifested herself upon her lion, destroying the asura army, including Mahishasura. Various beings of great might were summoned to assist both sides, where Narasimha and Kalki came to the aid of Lalita, and Ravana and Kumbhakarna was summoned by Bhandasura. The Narayanastra was employed to annihilate the akshauhinis of the asura, and the Pasupatastra slew the generals. Finally, Bhandasura was slain by a missile known as Mahākāmeśara.