Vamana Purana — Sarasvata Hymn to Vishnu, Shloka 17

The Sarasvata Hymn to Vishnu (Vishnu-Pañjara) and the Redemption of a Rakshasa

Devanagari script

चित्तवृत्तिहरा ये च ये जनाः स्मृतीहारकाः बलौजसां च हर्तारश्छायाविध्वंसकाश्च ये

Transliteration

cittavṛttiharā ye ca ye janāḥ smṛtīhārakāḥ balaujasāṃ ca hartāraśchāyāvidhvaṃsakāśca ye

Translation

May those beings who steal the movements of the mind (disturb mental composure), and those persons who rob one’s memory; those who take away strength and vital vigor, and those who destroy one’s protective ‘shadow’ (well-being/fortune)—may they be driven away (through the ensuing invocation).

Speakers

• Narrative voice within the chapter (likely a rishi’s instruction to a listener; exact interlocutors not provided in input)

Primary Deities

• Vishnu
• Vasudeva

Key Themes

• Raksha (protection) through divine remembrance
• Mental health and spiritual well-being
• Apotropaic (evil-averting) prayer
• Power of Vishnu’s protective agency

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who are the ‘cittavṛttiharāḥ’ and ‘smṛtihārakāḥ’ in Purāṇic idiom?

They denote harmful forces—often conceived as grahas, bhūtas, or malevolent beings—that disturb mental steadiness and cause forgetfulness or confusion. The verse frames these as ‘stealers’ of inner faculties rather than as ordinary human opponents.

What does ‘chāyā’ mean here beyond the literal ‘shadow’?

While literally ‘shadow,’ in many ritual and Purāṇic contexts chāyā can signify a person’s protective presence, auspiciousness, or subtle vitality. ‘Chāyā-vidhvaṃsaka’ thus points to forces believed to erode well-being, luck, or protective aura.

Why are strength (bala) and ojas paired?

Bala is physical/functional strength, while ojas is the refined vital essence associated with immunity, radiance, and resilience. Pairing them covers both gross and subtle vitality that a protective prayer seeks to safeguard.