Vamana Purana — Akhanda Ekadashi Vrata, Shloka 45

Akhaṇḍa-Ekādaśī Vrata and the Vaiṣṇava Protective Hymn; Prelude to the Kātyāyanī–Mahiṣāsura Narrative

Devanagari script

एकं मिमग्नं सलिले ग्राहरूपेण वासवः चरणाभ्यां समादाय निजघान यथेच्छया

Transliteration

ekaṃ mimagnaṃ salile grāharūpeṇa vāsavaḥ caraṇābhyāṃ samādāya nijaghāna yathecchayā

Translation

Indra (Vāsava), assuming the form of a crocodile, seized one who was submerged in the water; taking him by the feet, he struck him down as he pleased.

Word by Word

• एकम्: one (single)
• एकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण

• मिमग्नम्: submerged/sunk
• मिमग्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मि-√मग् (धातु) > मग्न (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘डूबा हुआ’

• सलिले: in the water
• सलिले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सलिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• ग्राह-रूपेण: in the form of a crocodile
• ग्राह-रूपेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राह (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; रूपेण = ‘रूप’ instrumental; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ग्राहस्य रूपम्)

• वासवः: Vāsava (Indra)
• वासवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चरणाभ्याम्: with (his) two feet
• चरणाभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), द्विवचन

• सम्-आदाय: having seized
• सम्-आदाय: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund), ‘having taken up/seized’

• निजघान: he struck down
• निजघान: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-√हन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परस्मैपद), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी; ‘he struck/killed’

• यथा-इच्छया: as he wished
• यथा-इच्छया: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + इच्छा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव समास; समस्तपदम् अव्ययवत्; अर्थः ‘यथेष्टम्’; (मूलतः इच्छया = स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन)

Speakers

• Narrative frame likely Pulastya → Nārada (not explicit in input)

Primary Deities

• Indra (Vāsava)

Key Themes

• Daitya-Deva Conflict
• Protection of cosmic order (Deva intervention)
• Tapas and its disruption
• Mythic metamorphosis (deity assumes animal form)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "raudra", "secondaryRasa": "bhayanaka", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

When ascetic power is perceived as destabilizing, the Devas may intervene—sometimes through covert means. The verse raises the dharmic tension between respecting tapas and safeguarding loka-saṃgraha (world-order).

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

Manvantara / Deva-governance motifs (Indra’s role as ruler of Devas maintaining order) embedded within ongoing narrative (Vamśānucarita).

What is the symbolic significance?

Indra’s crocodile-form suggests hidden, underwater obstruction of tapas—symbolizing how egoic or fear-driven divine politics can ‘drag down’ emergent power. It also mirrors broader Purāṇic patterns where elemental realms (water) become arenas of moral testing and cosmic negotiation.