Trisiras
Trisiras (Sanskrit: त्रिशिरस्, IAST: Triśiras; Tamil: Tirichira) is an Asura in Hinduism. He is the three-headed son of Tvaṣṭā and grandson of Prahlada, as well as the twin of Saraṇyū.[1] In the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, he is referred to as Viśvarūpa.
| Trisiras | |
|---|---|
| Devanagari | त्रिशिरस् |
| Sanskrit transliteration | Triśiras |
| Affiliation | Asura |
| Texts | Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Matsya Purana |
| Personal information | |
| Parents |
|
| Siblings | Saranyu (twin sister) |
Triśiras was created by Tvaṣṭā to dethrone Indra. His three heads were each named Somapīṭḥa, Surāpīṭḥa, and Annāda. Each head consumed Soma, Sura, and food, respectively. It is also told that one head was responsible for drinking; with another head, he observed his surroundings; and with his last head, he read the Vedas. Triśiras grew so powerful that Indra became frightened of him, especially after he scorned the women Indra sent to seduce him. Indra killed him and Triśiras' father, Tvaṣṭā, created Vṛtra to exact his revenge.
Indra was concerned about the possibility of Triśiras reviving, so he sent a carpenter to cut off each of his heads. From the head that chanted Vedic mantras rose the Kapiñjala birds; from the head used for drinking soma rose the Kalapiṅga birds and from the third head rose the Tittiri birds. This was evidence of the Asura's final demise.
References
- Brahmanda Purana, III.59
