Ravana,the king of Lanka used to worship Tarini.After reaching Lanka over the patharabandha (stone embankment) on the sea with Sugriva,Hanuman and Banara sena ,Rama desired to know the whereabouts of Sita.Lakshmana was sent to the Ashoka Vana to see her. Lakshmana reached there and climbed an Ashoka tree.Sita was in pitiable condition always uttering the name of Rama.At the dead of the night,Ravana came there with Puja materials asking the demonesses (Asurinis) to leave the place.He prayed the goddess, "How long I will live the life of a demon.Free me from this wretched life". Lakshmana was surprised to see the noble attitude of Ravana.Lakshmana exuberantly uttered, "How fortunate Ravana was". Ravana located Lakshmana in the Ashoka tree,and angrily said "You have elicited my secrets here.If you disclose it before anybody you will die of heart attack.When Rama will know that I am worshipping Sita the great Rama will not come.If he does not come who will free me from the bondage"?Lakshmana left the place before dawn and narrated the interesting incident before Rama and as ordained died instantly.Rama in crying prayed to Ravana to save his brother.All of a sudden Ravana appeared and enlivened Lakshmana,on condition that whatever he would demand Rama would grant.Raghuvira agreed.When Lakshmana got back his life Rama requested Ravana to ask for his desired boon.The demon king beningly said
You will cut my head only by Brahmastra but not by any other weapon.
Rama retorted,how could he kill a helpful person.But Ravana insisted to his desire.Then the demon king narrated about Tarini,his tutelary goddess.She is in her original Pitha at Kanchi in the state of Madras. Ravana disappeared.Having been pleased with the demon king Rama prayed the goddess Tarini for her blessing.The goddess appeared before him asking him to kill Ravana and all the demons of Lanka.She would be always with him.The ten armed Devi was found seated on a Lion,radiating her celestial light.Rama was directed to worship her with fruits only on all the days.From the time of the Ramayana she came to be known as Sankata Tarini .
-- Taken from "Sakta Pithas - A Study" by Dr H.C.Das
(He is author of 18 authoritative books and editor of 20 books on
History,Archeology,Iconography,Art and Architecture,Religion,Tribal culture,Music etc and has published 850 research papers on these subjects)
You will cut my head only by Brahmastra but not by any other weapon.
Rama retorted,how could he kill a helpful person.But Ravana insisted to his desire.Then the demon king narrated about Tarini,his tutelary goddess.She is in her original Pitha at Kanchi in the state of Madras. Ravana disappeared.Having been pleased with the demon king Rama prayed the goddess Tarini for her blessing.The goddess appeared before him asking him to kill Ravana and all the demons of Lanka.She would be always with him.The ten armed Devi was found seated on a Lion,radiating her celestial light.Rama was directed to worship her with fruits only on all the days.From the time of the Ramayana she came to be known as Sankata Tarini .
-- Taken from "Sakta Pithas - A Study" by Dr H.C.Das
(He is author of 18 authoritative books and editor of 20 books on
History,Archeology,Iconography,Art and Architecture,Religion,Tribal culture,Music etc and has published 850 research papers on these subjects)
