1124
Brahmānda Purāna
97. This alone has been glorified as indicative of t h e imperial p o w e r of Śakti. O r d i n a r y umbrellas were provided in t h e other two chariots. 98-99a. T h e n t h a t imperial deity Lalitā, t h e g r e a t goddess of all Śaktis, t h e sovereign Deity w h o h a d ascended t h e rulership of a g r e a t e m p i r e a d v a n c e d against d e m o n B h a n d a w i t h a desire to accomplish his d e a t h . 99b-100. At t h a t t i m e t h e c a r d i n a l points reverberat ed w i t h t h e s o u n d s ; t h e e a r t h q u a k e d a n d all the living beings b e c a m e excited a n d a g i t a t e d a t t h e d e p a r t u r e o f Laliteśā. T h e divine d r u m s ( D u n d u b h i s ) sounded a n d showers of flowers fell on everyone. 101-106. T h e celestial musicians viz. t h e G a n d h a r v a s beginning w i t h Viśvāvasu, T u m b u r u a n d N ā r a d a a n d Saras vatī herself b e g a n to recite auspicious verses of victory along w i t h excellent songs. T h e i r faces b e a m e d w i t h delight. H a i r s s t a n d i n g on their ends over their bodies served as o r n a m e n t s . T h e y r e p e a t e d l y eulogised Laliteśvarī a d d i n g " B e victorious, be victorious". Delighted, p r o u d a n d elated, they b e g a n t o d a n c e a t every step. T h e seven sages beginning w i t h V a s i s t h a r e p e a t e d h y m n s a n d verses from R k , Yajur, S ā m a n a n d A t h a r v a V e d a s increasing t h e i r good wishes for h e r victory a n d glory in t h e same m a n n e r as w h e n t h e sacrificial fires of g r e a t p u r i t y a r e m a d e to blaze forth by m e a n s of Havis offerings. Excellent persons a d d e d t h e i r b e n e d i c t i o n s of great power. Being e u l o gised by t h e m a n d shining in h e r excellent c h a r i o t , L a l i t ā set off a l o n g w i t h the soldiers in order to c o n q u e r t h e A s u r a Bhanda.