Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

तथान्ये ऋषयस्तत्र समायाताः सहस्रशः पार्थिवा जानपद्याश्च मुक्त्वैकं तमृतध्वजम्

Transliteration

tathānye ṛṣayastatra samāyātāḥ sahasraśaḥ pārthivā jānapadyāśca muktvaikaṃ tamṛtadhvajam

Translation

Likewise, many other sages came there by the thousands; and kings and regional rulers (leaders of provinces) also came—leaving aside only that one, Ṛtadhvaja.

Speakers

• Narrator describing the influx of pilgrims to Puṣkara.

Key Themes

• Tīrtha-mahimā demonstrated by mass pilgrimage
• Royal participation in sacred rites
• Ṛta (cosmic order) as an ideal of kingship (via the name Ṛtadhvaja)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who are the “jānapadyāḥ” mentioned alongside kings?

They are rulers or notable leaders associated with a janapada (a territorial unit/province). The pairing “pārthivāḥ … jānapadyāḥ” signals both major monarchs and subordinate/regional authorities participating in the tīrtha gathering.

Why is Ṛtadhvaja singled out as the exception?

Purāṇic narrative often isolates a named figure to set up a subsequent episode—either a reason for absence, a later arrival, or a contrasting moral/spiritual trajectory. The verse functions as a narrative hinge: universal attendance is asserted, then one exception is marked for later explanation.

Does the name Ṛtadhvaja carry thematic weight?

Yes. “Ṛta” denotes truth/cosmic order; a ‘banner of ṛta’ evokes dhārmic kingship. If such a figure is absent, the text may be preparing a lesson about duty, timing, vow, or an obstacle that interrupts even a dhārmic ruler.