Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 101

Shukra’s Curse on King Danda and Andhaka’s Challenge to Shiva

Devanagari script

विश्वकर्मा महातेजाः कपित्वे प्रतिसंस्थितः ब्रह्मन् भवान्वरं मह्यं यदि दातुमिहेच्छति

Transliteration

viśvakarmā mahātejāḥ kapitve pratisaṃsthitaḥ brahman bhavānvaraṃ mahyaṃ yadi dātumihecchati

Translation

Viśvakarmā, of great splendor, having become established in the state of a monkey, said: “O Brahman, if you wish to grant me a boon here, (then grant it).”

Speakers

• Viśvakarmā (Tvaṣṭṛ) addressing a Brahman/sage figure present in the episode (likely Ṛtadhvaja
• given the immediate narrative continuation)

Primary Deities

• Viśvakarmā (Tvaṣṭṛ)

Key Themes

• Śāpa (curse) and its mitigation
• Transformation/animal-state as karmic consequence
• Boons and ritual-ethical restoration

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why is Viśvakarmā described as ‘established in monkeyhood’ (kapitve pratisaṃsthitaḥ)?

The verse presupposes a prior narrative cause—typically a curse (śāpa) arising from a fault (doṣa). ‘Monkeyhood’ functions as a temporary, embodied consequence that can be ended only when the curse’s condition is fulfilled or a boon is granted.

Who is being addressed by ‘brahman’ here?

In Purāṇic diction, ‘brahman’ can address a sage, a Brahmin, or a revered spiritual authority. The next verse (39.104) names Ṛtadhvaja as speaking, so the immediate interlocutor is plausibly Ṛtadhvaja (or a Brahmanical authority within his presence).

What is the theological point of a divine artisan seeking a boon?

Even exalted beings in Purāṇic narrative are shown as operating under dharma and the binding force of śāpa. This underscores the supremacy of moral law and the efficacy of tapas/boon-granting authority in restoring order.