CELESTIALNYMPHS PART 8 APSARASTILOTHAMA
Dear friends, Tilottama is a renowned Hindu mythological Apsara (celestialnymph) created by thedivine architect Vishwakarma at Brahma’s request by combining thefinest particles of everything beautiful. Her name signifies "one who iscomposed of the finest particles". She is famous for bringing about themutual destruction of the demon brothers Sunda and Upasunda. Read more on interesting incidents relating Tilothama. Without telling the posting is just intended only to ordinary members who areinterested to reach topics like this. Least intended to all knowing members. Gopalakrishnan 5-3-2026 Key Details ofTilottama: Creation & Purpose: Created to destroy the unstoppableAsura brothers, Sunda and Upasunda, who had conquered heaven. Destruction of Asuras: Sent by the gods to allure thebrothers; her beauty caused the brothers to fight each other for her hand, leading to their mutualdestruction. Beauty & Impact: Known for her unparalleled beauty, she famously enchanted Lord Shivaand Indra. As she walked around Shiva in circumambulation, hedeveloped four faces to keep her in sight, and Indra developed a thousand eyesto gaze upon her. Origin of Name: Derived from "Tila" (sesameseed/small bit) and "Uttama" (best), implying she is composed of thehighest quality ingredients. Attributes: As a celestial Apsara, she is associated withimmense charm, dancing, and the ability to enchant, often representing beautythat can lead to both divine and mortal conflict Tilothama Reference inMahabharatha In Mahabharata,Tilottama is described to have been created by the divine architectVishwakarma, at Brahma's request, by taking the best quality of everything asthe ingredients. She was responsible for bringing about the mutual destructionof the Asura brothers, Sunda and Upasana. In the Adi Parva (Book 1)of the epic Mahabharata, the divine sage Narada tells the Pandava brothers thestory of the destruction of asura brothers Sunda and Upasunda due to the apsara Tilottama andwarns the Pandavas that their common wifeDraupadi could be a reason of quarrel between them. The tale states Sunda and Upasunda were sons of the asura Nikumbha. They are describedas inseparable siblings who shared everything: the kingdom, the bed, food,house, a seat. Once, the brothers practiced severe austerities on the Vindhyamountains, compelling the creator-godBrahma to grant them a boon. They asked for great power and immortality, but the latterwas denied, instead, Brahmagave them the boon that nothing but they themselves can hurt each other.Soon, the asuras attacked Svarga and drove the devas out. Conquering the wholeuniverse, the asuras started harassing sages and creating havoc in theuniverse. The devas and seers soughtrefuge with Brahma.Brahma then ordered the divine architect Vishvakarma to create a beautifulwoman. Vishvakarma collected all that was beautiful from the three worlds(Svarga, earth, Patala) and all the gems of the world and created an alluringwoman - with unrivalled beauty - from them. As she was created bit by bit fromthe gems, Brahma named herTilottama and directed her to seduce the asura brothers to the extent that shewould become an issue of contention between them. As Sunda and Upasunda were enjoying a dalliance with womenand engrossed in drinking liquor along a riverbank in the Vindhya mountains, Tilottama appeared there pluckingflowers. Bewitched by her voluptuous figure and drunk with power andliquor, Sunda and Upasundatook hold of Tilottama's right and left hands respectively. As bothof the brothers argued that Tilottama should be his own wife, they grabbedtheir clubs and attacked each other, ultimately killing each other. The devas congratulated her and Brahma granted her the right to roam freely in the universeas a boon. Brahma also decreed that no one would be able to look at herfor a long time due to her luster. Tilothama Enchanting Indraand Siva Even gods like LordShiva Indra are described to be enamoured of Tilottama. When she was going toearth, she sought the blessings of the Gods of heaven. She did circumambulation(the act of moving around a sacredobject or idol. Circumambulation of temples or deity images is an integral partof Hindu and Buddhist devotional practice. when Tilothama wasbehind Shiva, Shiva had a face on the back of his head. And when it came to the left and the right, aface appeared on the left and right side of Shiva. Thus Lord Shiva became four-faced to enjoy the beautyof Thilothama. Two eyes were not enough for Indra to enjoy the beauty ofTilothama.; a thousand eyesexploded all over Indra's head. Thusthe name Indra Sahasrasan came into being. Tilothama-Enchantressof the devas The Mahabharata (Book 1:Adi Parva) narrates: Though Brahma was unaffected by Tilottama's beauty, the otherdevas were spell-bound by her beauty. Initially,Shiva and Indra remain unperturbed, however, so great was the desireof the great god Shiva (referred to as "Sthanu" - the firm one) tosee her, a head developed on both his sides and back of his head as shecircumambulated him as a mark of reverence. The king of Svarga, Indra, however, developed thousand redeyes on his body to see her. Tilothama changes femaleorgan marks to eyes on Indra Another legenddescribes sage Gautama cursing Indra forseducing his wife Ahalya. Gautama decreed that Indra would develop athousand vaginas on his body, but they change to thousand eyes once Indra layshis eyes on Tiliottama. Another tale in the Mahabharata (Book 13) narrates thatTilottama comes to tempt Shiva. Eager to see her as she circumambulated him,Shiva developed four visible faces. Lord Siva revealinghimself to Tilothama Another interpretationstates that Shiva revealed himself to Tilottama as the five Brahmans, with his five faces (4 visible, 1invisible). The east face signifying his sovereignty over the world, the northface to sport with Parvati, the west to ensure the happiness of creatures; thesouth face, to destroy the universe and the fifth face was invisible as it wasbeyond the comprehension of Tilottama. Tilothama circumambulatingLord Siva Another legend from the Puranas says Brahma created Tilottamaand was aroused by her. He makes five heads in order to see her and then sendsher to Mount Kailash, the abode of Shiva, to pay her obeisance to him. Shiva glances at her but avoids carefullylooking at her as his consort Parvati was seated beside him. As Tilottama circumambulated Shiva,he develops a head in each direction to see her. The divine sage Narada taunts Parvati, "Youcan imagine what Shiva is thinking about this woman who is reviled by wisemen". Agitated,Parvati covers Shiva's eyes with her hands submerging the universein darkness. Shiva then develops the third eye to bring light tothe universe. Tilothama curses king Sahasranika The Kathasaritsagara, the 11th century Sanskrit translationof the 1st-2nd century Paishachi text Brihatkatha, tells how king Sahasranika wascursed by Tilottama. As the king was returning from Indra Loka to his kingdom, Tilottama told him to wait so shecould tell an interesting fact, but the king engrossed in thethoughts of his sweetheart - the apsara Alambusa, ignored what Tilottama said. Infuriated by the king's conduct, Tilottama cursed the king that he would sufferseparation from the one he was thinking about - for a period of fourteen years. Tilothama- Previousbirth and rebirth The Padma Purana narrates that Tilottama was an uglywidow named Kubja in her previous birth. Kubja underwent auspicious ceremonies for eight years andfinally performing the ritual Magha puja. This ensured that she was born as Tiliottama and appeared inSvarga as an apsara. Tilothama – cursed tore born as Usha, Banasura’s daughter by sage Durvasa The BrahmaVaivarta Purana narrates that Sahasika, grandson of Balidisturbed sage Durvasa's penance in his amours with Tilottama. As the result, the sage turned him into a donkey and cursedTilottama, to be born as asura Banasura's daughter Usha. Usha would later become the wife ofAniruddha, the grandson of Krishna. In popular culture Her tale was made into a movie in 1954, by Homi Wadia,Directed by Babubhai Mistry, starring Chitra, Kailash, Maruti, B. M. Vyas, BabuRaje and Indira Bansal. Regional Legends She is often depictedin temple sculptures, particularly in the context of celestial dancing. End of posting -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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