Vamana Purana — Saptarishis Seek Uma for Shiva, Shloka 41

The Saptarishis Seek Uma for Shiva: Himavan Grants the Marriage

Devanagari script

तथेत्युक्तं वचः पित्रा पादे तस्यैव विस्तृते ललिताख्या तपस्तेपे हराराधनाकाम्यया

Transliteration

tathetyuktaṃ vacaḥ pitrā pāde tasyaiva vistṛte lalitākhyā tapastepe harārādhanākāmyayā

Translation

When her father had said, ‘So be it,’ and his feet were extended (for her reverence), she performed an austerity called ‘Lalitā,’ desiring to worship (and win the favor of) Hara.

Word by Word

• तथा: thus
• तथा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (adverb: ‘so/thus’)

• इति: thus (quoting)
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/वाक्यसमाप्ति-सूचक अव्यय (quotative particle)

• उक्तम्: having been said / said
• उक्तम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘said’

• वचः: the words
• वचः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• पित्रा: by (her) father
• पित्रा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• पादे: at the foot
• पादे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle: ‘indeed/only’)

• विस्तृते: (when it was) extended
• विस्तृते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-स्तृ (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘पादे’) ‘spread out/extended’

• ललिताख्या: (she) named Lalitā
• ललिताख्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ललिता + आख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (ललिता इति आख्या यस्याः) ‘named Lalitā’

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• तेपे: performed (austerity)
• तेपे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• हराराधनाकाम्यया: out of desire to worship Hara
• हराराधनाकाम्यया: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हर + आराधन + काम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास; ‘हरस्य आराधनस्य काम्या’ = desire for worship of Hara; हेतौ तृतीया (instrumental of cause/motive)

Speakers

• Primary narrative frame likely Pulastya → Nārada; within the episode: Himavat’s assent; narrative voice describes Pārvatī

Primary Deities

• Shiva
• Parvati

Key Themes

• Shaivism
• Tapas
• Bhakti
• Pitr̥-ājñā (parental consent)
• Ritual observance (named tapas)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Spiritual striving is framed as disciplined and dharmic: Pārvatī seeks consent and blessings (reverence to the father’s feet) before undertaking a severe vow, integrating devotion with social-ethical propriety.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

Again, Vamśānucarita / Carita: an exemplary episode about Pārvatī’s conduct and practice. The named tapas (‘Lalitā’) hints at vrata-literature, but here it functions as a narrative marker rather than a full ritual manual.

What is the symbolic significance?

The extension of the father’s feet signals transmission of authority/blessing; tapas begins under sanctioned order, not mere impulse. ‘Lalitā’ (literally ‘graceful/beautiful’) juxtaposes gentleness with austerity, suggesting that true tapas can be inwardly refined rather than merely harsh.