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[Full title: Goddesses with 'role-specific' functions: Bhramari Devi]

It is observed that the multiplicity of the goddesses is due to their flexibility to assume any form and anywhere for the fulfillment of the seekers needs. These seekers are naturally her devotees who come to her refuge. The list of her devotees is large and it includes devotees from the level of Indra to the mortals. The manifestation of the goddess for the realization of specific purpose has been dealt with. Thus the manifestations of Bhramaramba, Sivaduti, Kali etc. have been undertaken for the purpose of study of the aspectual manifestations. Bhramari devi. 134 The Devi Bhagvata Purana" mentions of a goddess Bhramari. The meaning of the name is the one who holds the Bhramara ie. bee and other similar insects with sharp stings like hornets etc. as her weapon. The cause of the manifestation. In the DM 135 the goddess foretells her future incarnation. She says that, when the demon 'Aruna' by name creates 134 Devi Bhagvata Purana Bk. X, Ch. 13.60-120 135 DM 1. 48 b,49,50. 221

222 Chapter 3. Minor goddesses troubles in the world then she will assume the form of the bees and execute the demon. In the Devi Bhagavata Purana the origin of the Goddess Bhramari is told. The account of origin is as follows there was a powerful Asura Aruna by name. The cause of Aruna's power and strength was the constant repetition of the Gayatri mantra. As a result, Indra and his troops were subdued by him. Indra sought for a remedy from his preceptor Brhaspati. Brhaspati goes to the asura Aruna in disguise but Aruna recognises him and enquires to him the purpose of his visit. Brhaspati asks the reason of his animosity with the gods. The argument continues and Brhaspati finally says that the gods do not want to fight because like Aruna, they also worship the same Gayatri mantra and are thus brothers. Aruna does not like to of be equated with the Gods. He therefore, out pride, gives up the chanting of the Gayatri mantra. As a result, Aruna becomes powerless. Meanwhile, the goddess appears as a result of the penance of the Gods. She appears with wonderful rows of black bees and hornets in her fists 136. The garland around her neck too was made of variegated large black bees. Those bees, both male and female, were making the sound 'Hrim Hrim 37. The goddess Bhramra sends out the bees issuing from every part of her body. The bees generated as such 137, attacked the daitya with force. The daitya was benumbed and 136 Devibhagavata-purana, Bk. X. 13.78-85 137 ibid. 13.97-109.

Chapter 3. Minor goddesses could not understand nor could he speak 138 and was thus killed. Sankaracarya in his composition states that it was the goddess Bhramra who terminated the Asura Bhanda 139. Thus the goddess is responsible for the destruction of two powerful Asura named i) Aruna and ii) Bhanda. Mantra. The goddesses Bhramara was first worshipped by the bees making the sound 'Hrim -Hrim. Her mantra as such is Hrim 140. Bhramara Devi is pleased by the 'Vagbava Bija' which is of the nature Klimkara¹41. Temples, poetic compositions. 223 Sankaracarya has composed an octave on the goddesses Bhramara 142 in which he reverentially addresses to her as the inhabitant of the place Sri-Sailam. This place is in the modern state of Andhra Pradesh. The Acarya in the same composition states that the goddess is in the interiors of the 138 ibid. 13.110 - 120 139 Bhramaramba-Astakam, V.6 b. Complete Works Of Sankaracarya p.381-383. Vol.I Samata Books Madras-1981 140 Devibhagavata-purana Bk.X.13.78-85. 141 Devibhagavata-purana (Bk.X Ch: 13) 142 Complete Works Of Sankaracarya p.381-383. Vol.I Samata Books Madras-1981

224 Chapter 3. Minor goddesses 143 six pointed triangle and is waited upon by the six Yoginis' and as moving in the Sricakra¹44. He further states that she becomes delighted by the worship offered to the virgins 145 The last verse of the composition is important for there she is addressed as Gayatri, having the eagle-flag who likes the singing of the Gandharvas, the daughter of the mountains, and as the one who is adorned by the mixture of sandal paste and unbroken rice 146.