Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 113

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

Devanagari script

रमणीये वनोद्देशे प्रचारार्थे समुत्सृजन् शाढ्वलाढ्येषु देशेषु मुहुर्त्तादेव वाजिनः

Transliteration

ramaṇīye vanoddeśe pracārārthe samutsṛjan śāḍhvalāḍhyeṣu deśeṣu muhurttādeva vājinaḥ

Translation

In a delightful tract of forest, they released the horses to graze and roam; and in those regions rich with fresh grass, the steeds (became content) within a short while.

Speakers

• Narrative voice (contextual Purāṇic narrator) continuing the travel description (speaker not explicit in the given excerpt).

Key Themes

• Sacred landscape aesthetics (ramaṇīya-deśa)
• Pilgrimage movement through forests
• Pastoral imagery supporting tirtha narrative

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the function of describing a ‘delightful forest-tract’ in a Purāṇic geography section?

Such descriptions are not merely decorative: they mark the tirtha-region as auspicious, fertile, and hospitable, reinforcing the idea that sacred places are embedded in recognizable ecological zones (forest, pasture, water).

Does pracārārthe indicate grazing specifically or general movement?

Both senses are possible. In travel scenes with horses, it commonly means letting them range for grazing and easing stiffness; in a māhātmya setting it also signals a pause before approaching a shrine or tirtha.