Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 143

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

Devanagari script

सवाष्पनयना जाता विश्वकर्मसुता तदा अथ तामाह स मुनिः सत्यं सत्यध्वजो वचः

Transliteration

savāṣpanayanā jātā viśvakarmasutā tadā atha tāmāha sa muniḥ satyaṃ satyadhvajo vacaḥ

Translation

Then the daughter of Viśvakarman became tear-eyed. Thereupon that sage addressed her with words that were true—(he who was) a banner of truth.

Speakers

• Narrator introduces direct speech: a muni (sage) speaks to Viśvakarman’s daughter.

Primary Deities

• Viśvakarman

Key Themes

• Satya (truthfulness)
• Compassionate counsel
• Emotional transformation (tears)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why is Viśvakarman mentioned—what does it add to the narrative?

Identifying her as Viśvakarman’s daughter situates her within a divine-artisan lineage associated with skill, construction, and cosmic craftsmanship. In Purāṇic storytelling, such lineage markers often explain a character’s status and the gravity of their social ties.

What is implied by the epithet ‘satyadhvaja’?

Satyadhvaja (‘truth as his banner’) frames the sage as an authoritative moral voice. It signals that his forthcoming reassurance is reliable and dharmically grounded, not merely consolatory.

Is ‘satyaṃ … vacaḥ’ a formal stylistic feature?

Yes. Purāṇas frequently introduce counsel with truth-markers (satya, dharma, yathāvat) to indicate that the speech is both factually correct and ethically appropriate, preparing the listener for instruction or resolution.