Vamana Purana — Harihara Non-Duality, Shloka 48

Harihara Non-Duality and the Revelation of Sadasiva to the Ganas

Devanagari script

अर्द्धेन वैष्णववपुर्द्धेन हरविग्रहः खगध्वजं वृषारूढं वृषध्वजम्

Transliteration

arddhena vaiṣṇavavapurddhena haravigrahaḥ khagadhvajaṃ vṛṣārūḍhaṃ vṛṣadhvajam

Translation

كان نصفُ جسده على هيئةٍ ڤَيْشنَڤيّة، ونصفُه الآخر تجسّدَ هَرَا؛ يحمل رايةً موسومةً بالطائر (غارودا)، ويمتطي الثور؛ وهو ذو راية الثور.

Speakers

• Narrator voice within the Andhaka-vadha narrative (iconographic description)

Primary Deities

• Śiva (Hara)
• Viṣṇu (Hari)
• Garuḍa (implied by khaga-dhvaja)
• Nandin/Bull (vehicle, implied by vṛṣārūḍha)

Key Themes

• Shaiva-Vaishnava Unity
• Composite iconography (half-and-half form)
• Divine sovereignty symbols (dhvaja/standard)
• Mythic visualization in battle narrative

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Is this the same as Ardhanārīśvara?

No. Ardhanārīśvara is Śiva united with Śakti (Pārvatī) in a half-and-half form. Here the composite is Hari-Hara: one half Vaiṣṇava (Viṣṇu) and one half Hara (Śiva), expressing sectarian integration rather than Śiva-Śakti polarity.

How can one figure have both Garuḍa’s banner and the bull vehicle/bull banner?

The verse intentionally layers emblems: Garuḍa-dhvaja is a classic Vaiṣṇava sign, while vṛṣa (bull) as vehicle and banner is Śaiva. The composite form simultaneously displays both sets of insignia to communicate a single divine agency operating through both traditions.

What is the narrative function of this iconography in the Andhaka episode?

In Andhaka-vadha contexts, such manifestations often signal an escalation of divine power and a unification of forces. The Gaṇas’ vision of Hari-Hara underscores that the impending action is backed by an all-encompassing divinity, not a merely factional deity.