Birth: As per the narration in the Great Epic, Mahabharata, Tilottama ( तिलोत्तमा, Tilottamā), is an Apsara (celestial nymph), , described to have been created by the divine architect Vishwakarma at the behest of Lord Brahma, by taking the best quality of everything as the ingredients.
THY BEAUTY IS TILOTTHAMA
Etymology: "Tila" is the Sanskrit word for sesame {i.e., Gingelly) seed or a bit and "uttama" means better or higher. Tilottama, therefore, means the being whose smallest particle is the finest or one who is composed of the finest and highest qualities. In other words, she has been created with utmost perfection and her ravishing beauty is believed to have enamoured even Lord Shiva and Indra. Even it is said that the Creator, Lord Brahma, lusts for her and makes five heads in order to enjoy her beauty.
Raison d’etre In the Great Hindu epic Mahabharata {Adi Parva], she was’ created by the celestial architect, Vishwakarma, at the behest of Lord Brahma, the Creator, with the task of bringing about the mutual destruction of Asuras {demons] Sunda and Upasunda. Both were sons of demon Nikumbha, being inseparable siblings who shares everything, viz., the food, bed and the kingdom. Performed severe austerities in the Vindhya mountains and the Creator, Brahma was under an obligation to grant them the boom. Both the Brothers postulated great power and the immortality. Brahma cleverly granted them immortality which could be brought about only by themselves. With their prowess, they conquered the heavens and started creating havoc in the Universe. The harassed Gods and the Sages sought refuge in Brahma who then requested the Divine Architect Vishwakarma to create a beautiful woman. Vishwakarma, from the collection of all that was beautiful from the three worlds of Earth, Heaven and the Nether word, created an alluring woman with nonpareil beauty who was then given the name of Tilottama. She was entrusted with the job of estrangement between brothers.
According to one legend, she was cursed by the Great Sage, Durvasa, to be born as a Daitya princess, Usha who was married to Anirudhha (अनिरुद्ध) meaning ‘unrestrained’, “unstoppable” an ‘without any obstacles’ {the Grandson of Lord Krishna and Rukmini, the incarnation of none other than the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi].
Who is Viswakarma? Vishwakarma/Biswakarma is worshipped throughout India in two versions. Mainly in North India Viswakarma is an aged deva, whereas in the Bengal region Biswakarma is a young deva. In the pictures are the North Indian version (left) and the Bengali version (right)
How did Tilotthama bring about estrangement? As Sunda and Upasunda were enjoying dalliance with women and engrossed in drinking liquor along a river bank in the Vindhya mountains, Tilottama appeared there plucking flowers. Bewitched by her ravishing beauty, both took hold of the right and left hand of Tilottamaa, being a voluptuous woman.
As both Sunda and Upasunda argued that Tilottama should be his own wife, they attacked with the clubs killing each other. Brahma then granted the boon to her to roam about freely in the Universe with the rider that no one would be able to look at her for a long time due to her luster. Please see the picture below:-
How Gods were enamoured: Albeit Brahma was nonchalant, the other Gods were spell-bound by her ravishing beauty while Shiva and Indra remained unperturbed. When she circumambulated Lord Shiv, due to his irresistible temptation, Shiva created three heads to witness her charming appearance. Indra, on the other hand, developed thousand red eyes on his body to see her. Another legend state that Sage Gautama, while cursing Indra for seducing his beautiful wife, Ahalya, decreed that Indra would develop a thousand vaginas on his body which will convert into a thousand eyes once he lays his eyes on Tilottama.
According to another legend, being apprehensive of Goddess Parvathi, who was seated next to him, creates five faces (Brahmas 4 visible and 1 invisible) each face signifying an important vicissitude. East Face his sovereignty over the universe, north for sporting with Parvathi, west ensuring happiness of the creature and the south one for the destruction of the universe. Fifth one invisible being beyond any comprehension. At this juncture, on being informed by the Sage Narada, Parvathi covers Shiva’s eyes with her hands submerging the universe in darkness. Shiva then opens up his third eye to bring light to the Universe.
Misc. facts of cynosure: Once King Sasranika was returning from the Indraloka to his Kingdom while Tilottama told him to wait for being abreast of an interesting fact but the King, who was deeply engrossed in the thoughts of his sweetheart, the apsara Alambusa, ignored the advice and as a sequel, he was cursed by Tilottama that he would undergo the separation from his sweetheart for fourteen years. {Quote: The Kathasaritsagara, the 11th Century Sanskrit translation of the 1st-2nd century Paishachi text Brihatkatha]
According to Padma Purana, Tilottma, an ugly widow by name Kubja in her previous birth in Dwapara Yuga, underwent auspicious ceremonies for eight years and finally performed the Maha Puja. This ensured that she was born as Tilottama and appeared in the celestial world as an Apsara. Kubja was none other than Manthara in Ramayana. In her previous birth, Manthara was a yakshini and when she was sporting with her husband in the garb of a young deer, Kekaya King shot an arrow and killed her husband. Being aggrieved with inconsolable pain and anguish, she rushed to her Mother who begged the King to hand over the dead body to her as she could resuscitate him back to life, being her Son-in-law. But, the obstinate King not only refused but also killed the Mother. At the time of her demise, she cursed the King that he will also meet the same fate as of her. And, that was none other than the King Dasartha who met with his death at the parting of his beloved Son, Lord Rama, to the forest.
According to Brahma Vaivarta Purna, Sahasika, grandson of Bali, disturbed the penance of Sage Durvasa in his amour with Tilottama. As a result, the Sage turned him into an ass and cursed Tilottama to be born as the daughter of demon King, Banasura, Usha. Usha dreamt of a youth embracing her and sporting with her. She was so enchanted that she could not forget his beautiful face. Her intimate chum, Chitralekha, painted the princes of that time and on seeing that of Aniruddha, she hung her face down in shyness. Chitralekha, who was adept in the Maaya, brought Aniruddha to the harem of Usha. They married through Gandharva Vivaha and later, Banasura was defeated by Lord Krishna when he waged a battle. Finally, after compromising, both the youngsters were united. Please see the beautiful picture below:-