Vamana Purana — Vishnu's Sleep (Ashunya-Shayana), Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

माघे कुशोदकस्नानं मृगमदेन चार्च्यनम् धूपः पदम्बनिर्यासो नैवेद्यं सतिलोदनम्

Transliteration

māghe kuśodakasnānaṃ mṛgamadena cārcyanam dhūpaḥ padambaniryāso naivedyaṃ satilodanam

Translation

In the month of Māgha, one should bathe with water sanctified by kuśa grass, and perform worship with musk. The incense is resin/exudation of padamba, and the food-offering (naivedya) is rice prepared with sesame.

Word by Word

• māghe: in (the month of) Māgha
• māghe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māgha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī (Locative/7th), Ekavacana; month-name

• kuśa-udaka-snānam: bath with kuśa-infused water
• kuśa-udaka-snānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśa (प्रातिपदिक) + udaka (प्रातिपदिक) + snāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'kuśena (saṃyuktena) udakena snānam' (bath with kuśa-water)

• mṛga-madena: with musk (deer-musk)
• mṛga-madena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛga (प्रातिपदिक) + mada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instrumental/3rd), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'mṛgasya madaḥ'

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• arcyanam: worship
• arcyanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arc (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Action noun/gerundive-like (ल्युट्/अनीयर् sense), Napuṃsaka, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'worship/adoration'

• dhūpaḥ: incense
• dhūpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• padamba-niryāsaḥ: resin of padamba-tree
• padamba-niryāsaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padamba (प्रातिपदिक) + niryāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa: 'padambasya niryāsaḥ'

• naivedyam: food offering
• naivedyam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naivedya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsaka, Prathamā/Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• sa-tila-odanam: rice-porridge with sesame
• sa-tila-odanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-सदृश) + tila (प्रातिपदिक) + odana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā/Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'tilaiḥ saha odanaḥ' (odana with sesame)

Speakers

• Not specified in the provided excerpt (likely within the Pulastya–Nārada narrative frame)

Primary Deities

• Shiva

Key Themes

• Shaivism
• Vrata/Rituals
• Māgha observance
• Purificatory bath (snāna)
• Upacāra offerings (dhūpa, naivedya)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Ritual purity (snāna) and mindful offering (upacāra) discipline the senses and direct ordinary substances—water, fragrance, food—toward sacred intention, cultivating steadiness (niyama) and devotion.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

Best indexed as dharma/vrata-vidhi material (ācāra-kāṇḍa style) embedded within the Purāṇic narrative, rather than any of the core five topics like vaṃśa or sarga.

What is the symbolic significance?

Kuśa signifies Vedic sanctity and consecration; fragrance (musk) and incense represent refinement of perception; sesame-rice naivedya is a classic auspicious and satiating offering, symbolizing nourishment offered back to the divine source.