Vamana Purana — Vishnu's Sleep (Ashunya-Shayana), Shloka 20

The Caturmasya Observances and the Rite of Vishnu’s Sleep (Aśūnya-Śayana) and Shiva’s Monthly Vows

Devanagari script

तस्यां तिथावर्च्य हरिं श्रीवत्साङ्कं चतुर्भुजम् पर्यङ्कस्थं समं लक्ष्म्या गन्धपुष्पादिभिर्मुने

Transliteration

tasyāṃ tithāvarcya hariṃ śrīvatsāṅkaṃ caturbhujam paryaṅkasthaṃ samaṃ lakṣmyā gandhapuṣpādibhirmune

Translation

On that lunar day (tithi), having worshipped Hari—marked with the Śrīvatsa and four-armed—seated upon a couch together with Lakṣmī, with perfumes, flowers, and the like, O sage, (one should proceed further with the rite).

Word by Word

• tasyām: on that (tithi)
• tasyām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); demonstrative pronoun

• tithau: on the lunar day
• tithau: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tithi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• arcya: having worshipped
• arcya: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arc (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, ल्यप्), ‘having worshipped’ (पूजित्वा)

• harim: Hari (Viṣṇu)
• harim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• śrīvatsāṅkam: marked with the Śrīvatsa sign
• śrīvatsāṅkam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīvatsa-aṅka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with harim; compound: śrīvatsa + aṅka (श्रीवत्स + अङ्क)

• caturbhujam: four-armed
• caturbhujam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catur-bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with harim; bahuvrīhi: ‘one who has four arms’ (चत्वारो भुजा यस्य)

• paryaṅkastham: seated/lying on a couch
• paryaṅkastham: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paryaṅka-stha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with harim; compound: paryaṅka + stha (पर्यङ्क + स्थ)

• samam: together (with)
• samam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with harim; ‘together/equal’

• lakṣmyā: with Lakṣmī
• lakṣmyā: Sahakarana (सहकारण/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• gandhapuṣpādibhiḥ: with perfumes, flowers, etc.
• gandhapuṣpādibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha-puṣpa-ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); dvandva: gandha + puṣpa + ādi (गन्ध + पुष्प + आदि)

• mune: O sage
• mune: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

Speakers

• Pulastya to Nārada (typical Vāmana Purāṇa dialogue frame; ritual instruction voice)

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Hari)
• Lakshmi (Śrī)

Key Themes

• Bhakti
• Vrata/Rituals
• Vaishnavism
• Iconography
• Householder piety

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "shringara", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The verse frames devotion as disciplined, timed observance (tithi) expressed through reverent service (upacāras like fragrance and flowers) and right visualization of the deity—Hari inseparable from Śrī—implying that prosperity and grace are aligned with dharmic worship rather than mere acquisition.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

This is primarily within Ācāra/vrata-vidhi material (often grouped under dharma/kalpa-like instruction rather than the five classic purāṇic marks). It is not sarga/pratisarga/vaṃśa/vaṃśānucarita/manvantara narrative, but prescriptive ritual guidance embedded in purāṇic discourse.

What is the symbolic significance?

Hari ‘with Śrīvatsa’ and ‘together with Lakṣmī’ signals that the Lord’s sovereignty is never devoid of Śrī (auspiciousness, order, abundance). The couch/bed imagery evokes divine repose and protection—devotees ritually ‘host’ the cosmic Lord, aligning household space with sacred order.