Tilottamā (तिलोत्तमा).—A prominent celestial maiden. Birth. Tilottamā was born to Pradhā, wife of Kaśyapa, grandson of Brahmā and son of Marīci. Alambuṣā, Miśrakeśī, Vidyutparṇā, Aruṇā, Rakṣitā, Rambhā, Manoramā, Subāhu, Keśinī, Suratā, Surajā and Supriyā were all sisters of Tilottamā. (Chapter 65, Ādi Parva)
The good girl named Tilottamā was formerly created by Brahmā from small particles of diamonds. (Śloka 1, Chapter 141, Anuśāsana Parva). When the two demon brothers Sundopasundas were creating great havoc in the world by their cruel and immoral deeds, it was Tilottamā who was deputed by Brahmā to create a split between the brothers. On the eve of her departure to the world she went to Devaloka to bid adieu. Brahmā stood facing south and Śiva stood facing north and Tilottamā stood in the centre surrounded by the Devas. Tilottamā circled round the devas worshipping them. Śiva was enamoured of her beauty and wanted to see her always and so a face on all the four sides of his head sprang up so that he could see her always as she circled round him. Indra was also enamoured of her and he found his two eyes insufficient to enjoy her beauty. So instantly a thousand eyes sprang up in the face of Indra. (Chapter 215, Ādi Parva). Sunda and Upasaunda were the sons of the mighty Daitya (a clan of the Asuras or demons) Nikumbha, a descendant of Hiranyakasipu. Both of them were endowed with a lot of energy and strength. They were wicked and were obsessed with the same things. They were always together and each said and did only things that were agreeable to the other. They were like one person living in two bodies. They had a desire to bring the three worlds under their control. They went to the Vindhya mountains and took up an austere penance. Attired in tree barks, they became exhausted with hunger and thirst. They acquired some ascetic merit after a while. They then intensified their penance by throwing pieces of their flesh into the fire as offerings to the gods. The Vindhya mountains, heated by the power of their austere penance for a long time, began to emit vapour from different parts of their bodies. The celestials were alarmed by the severity of their penance. They tried to disrupt their penance by tempting the brothers with precious possessions and beautiful girls. However, the brothers were firm in persisting with their penance. The celestials then used their power of creating illusions by making it appear that the mothers, sisters, wives and other relatives of Sunda and Upasunda were running towards them in panic, after being pursued by a Rakshasa, carrying a sword in his hand. The women cried and appealed to the brothers to save them. But the brothers were unperturbed by these illusions too. Pleased by their penance, Brahma appeared before the brothers and offered to grant them any boon they would seek. Sunda and Upasaunda, paid obeisance to Brahma and asked him, “Oh, lord, grant us great physical strength, knowledge of all weapons, powers of illusion, and the power to assume any form at will. Also grant us immortality.” Brahma said, “I will grant you everything you sought except immortality. Since you have taken up this penance with a selfish intent of conquering the three worlds, I cannot confer immortality on you. But you can choose how you want to die.” Sunda and Upasunda said, “Oh, lord, we should be incapable of being killed by anyone or anything in this universe except by each other!” Brahma granted them what they asked for and vanished, after advising them to give up their penance and return to their normal life. The brothers then returned to their kingdom. Their friends and relatives were gladdened by the boons obtained by the duo. Using their powers, the brother made the moon rise over their city every night, even during the waning phase of the moon. The citizens of the kingdom lived in joy. The brothers, using their power to assume any form, engaged themselves in every kind of amusement. After enjoying themselves for a while, the brothers decided to pursue their desire to conquer the three worlds. They first went to the celestial world and conquered the Devas, the Yakshas and other celestial tribes. The celestials left their abodes and sought refuge in the region of Brahma. After conquering the Devaloka (the celestial world), Sunda and Upasaunda, invaded the netherlands, the land of the Nagas and conquered it also. Seized by a desire to conquer the rest of the world also, the brothers summoned the soldiers and told them, “Brahmins and royal sages increase the strength and prosperity of the celestials through their offerings in rites and sacrifices. Therefore, they are the enemies of the Asuras. So, we should slaughter them and obliterate them from the face of the earth.” Accordingly, the brothers and their army set out in different directions and began to kill people performing sacrifices and the Brahmins assisting them. They also quelled the sacrificial fires by pouring water on them. The Brahmins, angered by the atrocities committed by the brothers cursed them. But when they found that the curses uttered by them had no effect because of the boons obtained by the brothers, the Brahmins began to flee. Even sages with great ascetic powers fled like snakes pursued by the Garuda. The brothers assumed the form of mad elephants and began to pursue the sages who had hidden themselves in caves and other places. The brothers pulled them out and sent them to the region of Yama. Assuming the forms of lions and tigers one moment and then disappearing the next moment, they scared the sages, sought them out and killed them. Sacrifices, religious rites, festivities and studies ceased. Buying and selling activities also stopped. Agriculture was neglected and cattle were no longer tended. Towns and asylums became desolate. Bones and skeletons were scattered all over earth. The earth presented a frightful appearance. The Sun, the Moon, the Planets, the stars, the Constellations, and the other dwellers in the firmament, witnessing these acts of Sunda and Upasunda, grieved deeply. After subjugating all the points of heaven through such cruel acts, the Asura brothers took up their abode in Kurukshetra. The celestial sages, the Siddhas and other ascetics possessing the attributes of tranquility and self-restraint, moved by the plight of the universe, went to Brahma. The found that Brahma was sitting with the Devas, the Siddhas, Lord Siva, Agni, Vayu, Soma, Surya, Sakra, the Vaikhanasas, the Valakhilyas, the Vanaprasthas, the Marichipas, the Ajas, the Avimudas, and other ascetics of great energy. The celestial sages and others represented to Brahma about the misdeeds of the Asura brothers. After listening to them, Brahma contemplated for a moment. He then summoned the celestial architect Viswakarma. When Viswakarma appeared before him, Brahma asked him to create a woman with captivating beauty. Viswakarma created a celestial woman of extraordinary beauty. She was a mass of gems, with a beauty unrivaled by the women of the three worlds. Since she was created with minute quantities of every gem, Brahma gave her the name Tilottama (meaning, minute particles of the best.) Brahma told her “Oh, Tilottama, go to the Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda, tempt them with your captivating beauty and conduct yourself in such a way that they will quarrel between themselves about who should possess you.” When Tilottama walked around the conclave, all those assembled there, facing different directions, turned their faces to have a glimpse of her beauty, Indra and Siva, being the only exceptions. When Tlottama came by the side of Siva, a face appeared on the southern side of his Siva’s body, because of his desire to look at her. When she was behind him, a face appeared on the southern side of his body. When she was to his north, a face appeared on the northern side of his body. A face appeared on his west when she was to his west. This is how Siva came to have four faces. A thousand large, reddish eyes appeared on Indra’s body on all his sides because he wanted to look at Tilottama continuously. The glances of all of those assembled there except Brahma’s fell on Tilottama’s body. When Tilottama left in pursuit of her task, all of them were convinced that the task was accomplished already. The Asura brothers, having conquered the three worlds, had nothing more to do. They were living in happiness, enjoying themselves in all possible ways. One day, the brothers were in the Vindhyas, sitting at a place and witnessing the dances of some handsome women. At that time, Tilottama, attired in a single piece of red silk that exposed all her charm came along, plucking wild flowers on her way. The brothers were stunned by her extraordinary beauty. They left their seats and went to her. Each of the two sought the girl for himself. Sunda seized the girl by her right hand. He told his brother “She is my wife and you have to respect her.” Upasunda responded saying, ”She is my wife and therefore your sister-in-law.” Each of them repeatedly said, “She is mine, not yours.” Each claimed that he was the first to sight her. Soon, they started attacking each other with their maces. Eventually, both of them fell on the ground, their bodies bathed in blood, like two suns dislodged from the firmament. Shocked by this, the women who had come there to dance and the other Asuras, fled the site. Trembling in grief and fear, they took refuge in the nether regions. Brahma came there along with the celestials. He applauded Tilottama for her feat and granted her a boon that nobody would be able to look at her for a long time. He restored the three worlds to Indra and then returned to his abode. "Tila" is a Sanskrit word for a small particle and "uttama" means the ultimate. Tilottama, therefore, means the being whose smallest particle is the finest or one who is composed of the finest and highest qualities MAHABHAERATHAM SECTION CCXIII (Rajya-labha Parva continued) "Narada continued, 'Then the celestial Rishis, the Siddhas, and the high-souled Rishis possessing the attributes of tranquillity and self-restraint, beholding that act of universal slaughter, were afflicted with great grief. With passions and senses and souls under complete control, they then went to the abode of the Grandsire, moved by compassion for the universe. Arrived there, they beheld the Grandsire seated with gods, Siddhas, and Brahmarshis around him. There were present that God of gods, viz., Mahadeva, and Agni, accompanied by Vayu, and Soma and Surya and Sakra, and Rishis devoted to the contemplation of Brahma, and the Vaikhanasas, the Valakhilyas, the Vanaprasthas, the Marichipas, the Ajas, the Avimudas, and other ascetics of great energy. All those Rishis were sitting with the Grandsire, when the celestial and other Rishis, approaching Brahman with sorrowful hearts, represented unto him all the acts of Sunda and Upasunda. And they told the Grandsire in detail everything that the Asura brothers had done, and how they had done it, and in what order. Then all the celestials and the great Rishis pressed the matter before the Grandsire. The Grandsire, hearing everything they said, reflected for a moment and settled in his mind what he should do. Resolving to compass the destruction of the Asura brothers, he summoned Viswakarman (the celestial architect). Seeing Viswakarman before him, the Grandsire possessed of supreme ascetic merit commanded him, saying, 'Create thou a damsel capable of captivating all hearts.' Bowing down unto the Grandsire and receiving his command with reverence, the great artificer of the universe created a celestial maiden with careful attention. Viswakrit first collected all handsome features upon the body of the damsel he created. Indeed, the celestial maiden that he created was almost a mass of gems. And created with great care by Viswakarman, the damsel, in beauty, became unrivalled among the women of the three worlds. There was not even a minute part of her body which by its wealth of beauty could not attract the gaze of beholders. And like unto the embodied Sri herself, that damsel of extraordinary beauty captivated the eyes and hearts of every creature. And because she had been created with portions of every gem taken in minute measures, the Grandsire bestowed upon her the name of Tilottama. And as soon as he started it into life, the damsel bowed to Brahman and with joined palms said, 'Lord of every created thing, what task am I to accomplish and what have I been created for?' The Grandsire answered, 'Go, O Tilottama, unto the Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda. O amiable one, tempt them with thy captivating beauty. And, O damsel, conduct thyself there in such a way that the Asura brothers may, in consequence of the wealth of thy beauty, quarrel with each other as soon as they cast their eyes upon thee.' "Narada continued, 'Bowing unto the Grandsire and saying, 'So be it,'--the damsel walked round the celestial conclave. The illustrious Brahman was then sitting with face turned eastwards, and Mahadeva with face also towards the east, and all the celestials with faces northwards, and the Rishis with faces towards all directions. While Tilottama walked round the conclave of the celestials, Indra and the illustrious Sthanu (Mahadeva) were the only ones that succeeded in preserving their tranquillity of mind. But exceedingly desirous as Mahadeva was (of beholding Tilottama) when the damsel (in her progress round the celestial conclave) was at his side, another face like a full-blown lotus appeared on the southern side of his body. And when she was behind him, another face appeared on the west. And when the damsel was on the northern side of the great god, a fourth face appeared on the northern side of his body. Mahadeva (who was eager to behold the damsel) came also to have a thousand eyes, each large and slightly reddish, before, behind and on his flanks. And it was thus that Sthanu the great god came to have four faces, and the slayer of Vala, a thousand eyes. And as regards the mass of the celestials and the Rishis, they turned their faces towards all directions as Tilottama walked round them. Except the divine Grandsire himself, the glances of those illustrious personages, even of all of them fell upon Tilottama's body. And when Tilottama set out (for the city of the Asuras) with the wealth of her beauty, all regarded the task as already accomplished. After Tilottama had gone away, the great god who was the First Cause of the Universe, dismissed all the celestials and the Rishis.'" K RAJARAM IRS 6326 On Thu, 5 Mar 2026 at 12:25, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *CELESTIAL NYMPHS PART 8* > > *APSARAS TILOTHAMA* > > Dear friends, > > Tilottama is a renowned Hindu mythological Apsara (celestial nymph) *created > by the divine architect Vishwakarma at Brahma’s request* by combining the > finest particles of everything beautiful. Her name signifies "one who is > composed of the finest particles". She is famous for bringing about the > mutual destruction of the demon brothers Sunda and Upasunda. > > Read more on interesting incidents relating Tilothama. With out telling > the posting is just intended only to ordinary members who are interested to > reach topics like this. *Least intended to all knowing members.* > > Gopalakrishnan 5-3-2026 > > *Key Details of Tilottama:* > > Creation & Purpose: Created to destroy the unstoppable Asura brothers, *Sunda > and Upasunda*, who had conquered heaven. > > Destruction of Asuras: Sent by the gods to allure the brothers; her beauty > caused the *brothers to fight each other for her hand, leading to their > mutual destruction.* > > Beauty & Impact: Known for her unparalleled beauty, *she famously > enchanted Lord Shiva and Indra*. As she walked around Shiva in > circumambulation, he developed four faces to keep her in sight, and Indra > developed a thousand eyes to gaze upon her. > > Origin of Name: Derived from "Tila" (sesame seed/small bit) and "Uttama" > (best), implying she is composed of the highest quality ingredients. > > Attributes: As a celestial Apsara, she is associated with immense charm, > dancing, and the ability to enchant, often representing beauty that can > lead to both divine and mortal conflict > > *Tilothama Reference in Mahabharatha* > > In Mahabharata, Tilottama is described to have been created by the > divine architect Vishwakarma, at Brahma's request, by taking the best > quality of everything as the ingredients. She was responsible for bringing > about the mutual destruction of the Asura brothers, Sunda and Upasana. > > *In the Adi Parva (Book 1) of the epic Mahabharata, the divine sage Narada > tells the Pandava brothers the story of the destruction of asura brothers > Sunda and Upasunda* due to the apsara Tilottama and warns the Pandavas > that their *common wife Draupadi could be a reason of quarrel between > them. * > > The tale states Sunda and Upasunda were sons of the asura Nikumbha. They > are described as inseparable siblings who shared everything: the kingdom, > the bed, food, house, a seat. Once, the brothers practiced severe > austerities on the Vindhya mountains, compelling the *creator-god Brahma > to grant them a boon*. > > They asked for great power and immortality, but the latter was denied, > instead, *Brahma gave them the boon that nothing but they themselves can > hurt each other.* Soon, the asuras attacked Svarga and drove the devas > out. Conquering the whole universe, the asuras started harassing sages and > creating havoc in the universe. > > *The devas and seers sought refuge with Brahma.* Brahma then ordered the > divine architect Vishvakarma to create a beautiful woman. Vishvakarma > collected all that was beautiful from the three worlds (Svarga, earth, > Patala) and all the gems of the world and created an alluring woman - with > unrivalled beauty - from them. As she was created bit by bit from the gems, > *Brahma > named her Tilottama and directed her to seduce the asura brothers to the > extent that she would become an issue of contention between them*. > > As Sunda and Upasunda were enjoying a dalliance with women and engrossed > in drinking liquor along a riverbank in the Vindhya mountains, Tilottama > appeared there plucking flowers. Bewitched by her voluptuous figure and > drunk with power and liquor, *Sunda and Upasunda took hold of Tilottama's > right and left hands respectively.* As both of the brothers argued that > Tilottama should be his own wife, *they grabbed their clubs and attacked > each other, ultimately killing each other.* > > The devas congratulated her and Brahma granted her the right to roam > freely in the universe as a boon. Brahma also decreed that no one would > be able to look at her for a long time due to her luster. > > *Tilothama Enchanting Indra and Siva* > > Even gods like Lord Shiva Indra are described to be enamoured of > Tilottama. When she was going to earth, she sought the blessings of the > Gods of heaven. > > She did circumambulation(the act of moving around a sacred object or idol. > Circumambulation of temples or deity images is an integral part of Hindu > and Buddhist devotional practice. > > when Tilothama was behind Shiva, Shiva had a face on the back of his > head. And when it came to the left and the right, a face appeared on the > left and right side of Shiva. *Thus Lord Shiva became four-faced to enjoy > the beauty of Thilothama. * > > Two eyes were not enough for Indra to enjoy the beauty of Tilothama.; *a > thousand eyes exploded all over Indra's head. *Thus the name Indra > Sahasrasan came into being. > > *Tilothama-Enchantress of the devas* > > *The Mahabharata (Book 1: Adi Parva) narrates*: > > Though Brahma was unaffected by Tilottama's beauty, the other devas were > spell-bound by her beauty. *Initially, Shiva and Indra remain unperturbed*, > however, so great was the desire of the great god Shiva (referred to as > "Sthanu" - the firm one) to see her, a head developed on both his sides and > back of his head as she circumambulated him as a mark of reverence. > > The king of Svarga, Indra, however, developed thousand red eyes on his > body to see her. > > *Tilothama changes female organ marks to eyes on Indra* > > Another legend describes *sage Gautama cursing Indra for seducing his > wife Ahalya. *Gautama decreed that Indra would develop a thousand vaginas > on his body, but they change to thousand eyes once Indra lays his eyes on > Tiliottama. > > > > Another tale in the Mahabharata (Book 13) narrates that Tilottama comes to > tempt Shiva. Eager to see her as she circumambulated him, Shiva developed > four visible faces. > > *Lord Siva revealing himself to Tilothama* > > *Another interpretation states that Shiva revealed himself to Tilottama as > the five Brahmans*, with his five faces (4 visible, 1 invisible). The > east face signifying his sovereignty over the world, the north face to > sport with Parvati, the west to ensure the happiness of creatures; the > south face, to destroy the universe and the fifth face was invisible as it > was beyond the comprehension of Tilottama. > > *Tilothama circumambulating Lord Siva* > > Another legend from the Puranas says Brahma created Tilottama and was > aroused by her. He makes five heads in order to see her and then sends her > to Mount Kailash, the abode of Shiva, to pay her obeisance to him. > > *Shiva glances at her but avoids carefully looking 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, *"You can imagine what Shiva is thinking about this woman > who is reviled by wise men". *Agitated, Parvati covers Shiva's eyes with > her hands* submerging the universe in darkness. Shiva then develops the > third eye to bring light to the universe. > > > > *Tilothama curses king Sahasranika* > > The Kathasaritsagara, the 11th century Sanskrit translation of the 1st-2nd > century Paishachi text *Brihatkatha,* tells how king Sahasranika was > cursed by Tilottama. > > As the king was returning from Indra Loka to his kingdom, *Tilottama told > him to wait so she could tell an interesting fact*, but the king > engrossed in the thoughts of his sweetheart - the apsara Alambusa, ignored > what Tilottama said. > > Infuriated by the king's conduct, *Tilottama cursed the king that he > would suffer separation from the one he was thinking about - for a period > of fourteen years*. > > > > *Tilothama- Previous birth and rebirth* > > *The Padma Purana* narrates that Tilottama was an ugly widow named Kubja > in her previous birth. *Kubja underwent auspicious ceremonies for eight > years and finally performing the ritual Magha puja*. > > This ensured that she was born as Tiliottama and appeared in Svarga as an > apsara. > > > > *Tilothama – cursed to re born as Usha, Banasura’s daughter by sage > Durvasa* > > The *Brahma Vaivarta Purana* narrates that Sahasika, grandson of Bali > disturbed sage Durvasa's penance in his amours with Tilottama. > > As the result, the sage turned him into a donkey and cursed Tilottama, to > be born as asura Banasura's daughter Usha. *Usha would later become the > wife of Aniruddha, 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, Babu Raje > and Indira Bansal. > > *Regional Legends* > > She is often depicted in 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]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1193784644.1089758.1772693725632%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1193784644.1089758.1772693725632%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- 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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