Vamana Purana — Saptasarasvata Tirtha, Shloka 12

Harihara Revelation and the Tirtha-Glorification of Saptasarasvata in Kurukshetra

Devanagari script

अनुलिम्पेत् कुङ्कुमेन चन्दनेन च भक्तितः बिल्वपत्रैः सकमलैः धत्तूरसुरचन्दनैः

Transliteration

anulimpet kuṅkumena candanena ca bhaktitaḥ bilvapatraiḥ sakamalaiḥ dhattūrasuracandanaiḥ

Translation

With devotion, one should anoint (the deity) with saffron and sandalpaste, and (worship) with bilva leaves together with lotuses, with dhattūra flowers, and with ‘asura-sandal’ (a variety of sandal/unguent).

Word by Word

• अनुलिम्पेत्: should anoint/smear
• अनुलिम्पेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लिप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; 'he should anoint/smear'

• कुङ्कुमेन: with saffron
• कुङ्कुमेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुङ्कुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• चन्दनेन: with sandalwood
• चन्दनेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• भक्तितः: out of devotion
• भक्तितः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; Ablative used adverbially ('out of devotion')

• बिल्वपत्रैः: with bilva leaves
• बिल्वपत्रैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बिल्व + पत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural; 'bilva-leaves'

• सकमलैः: together with lotuses
• सकमलैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + कमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; adjective to बिल्वपत्रैः; 'together with lotuses'

• धत्तूरसुरचन्दनैः: with dhattūra and divine sandalwood
• धत्तूरसुरचन्दनैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धत्तूर + सुरचन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural; dvandva of 'dhattūra' and 'suracandana'

Speakers

• Not specified in the excerpt (instructional voice within the chapter’s ritual discourse).

Primary Deities

• Śiva (implied by bilva and dhattūra usage)
• Unspecified Deva (object of worship)

Key Themes

• Bhakti (devotion)
• Śaiva ritual markers (bilva, dhattūra)
• Upacara (anointing and floral offerings)
• Material culture of worship (fragrances, botanicals)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Do bilva leaves and dhattūra indicate the deity is Śiva?

In classical Hindu ritual symbolism, bilva leaves and dhattūra are especially characteristic of Śiva worship. While the verse does not name Śiva explicitly, these offerings strongly align with Śaiva pūjā conventions.

What is the ritual function of anointing with kuṅkuma and candana?

Kuṅkuma and candana serve as auspicious unguents (anulepana), expressing honor, purity, fragrance, and ‘cooling’ sanctity. They are standard upacāras that materially ‘adorn’ the deity.

What might ‘asura-candana’ mean?

It is best read as a technical name in aromatic lists—either a particular sandal variety or a distinct fragrant paste. Purāṇic ritual passages often preserve such catalogues of substances used in regional/temple practice.