Vamana Purana — Nakshatra-Purusha Vrata, Shloka 13

The Nakshatra-Purusha Vrata: Worship of Vishnu’s Body as the Constellations

Devanagari script

तस्मिन् विपणिवृत्तिस्थः सुधर्माख्यो ऽभवद् वणिक् धनाढ्यो गुणवान् भोगी नानासास्त्रविशारदः

Transliteration

tasmin vipaṇivṛttisthaḥ sudharmākhyo 'bhavad vaṇik dhanāḍhyo guṇavān bhogī nānāsāstraviśāradaḥ

Translation

ekadā: once; nijāt rāṣṭrāt: from his own realm/kingdom; surāṣṭram: Surāṣṭra (region); gantum adyataḥ: prepared/intended to go; sārtha: caravan, merchant-company; mahatā: great/large; yuktaḥ: joined/associated with; nānā: various; vipaṇa: market, bazaar; paṇyavān: possessing goods/merchandise, trader.

Speakers

• Pulastya narrating to Nārada

Primary Deities

• Not specified in this verse

Key Themes

• Householder virtue within prosperity (artha–dharma balance)
• Merchant as narrative vehicle for tīrtha-phala
• Śāstra-learning outside ascetic circles

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why introduce a merchant (vaṇik) as the protagonist in a tīrtha narrative?

Māhātmyas frequently demonstrate that sanctity and liberation-oriented merit are accessible to householders, not only renunciants. A merchant embodies mobility, wealth, and social networks—ideal for illustrating pilgrimage, charity, vows, and the transformative power of a sacred place.

How should “bhogī” be understood here—does it imply moral laxity?

In this context bhogī primarily signals prosperity and the capacity to enjoy lawful comforts. Coupled with guṇavān and śāstra-viśārada, it frames Sudharmā as an exemplary affluent householder rather than a hedonist.

What is the narrative function of calling him “nānā-śāstra-viśārada”?

It establishes competence and credibility: even a learned, successful person can require the special grace of a tīrtha (or can become the instrument through which its greatness is revealed). It also anticipates ethical or ritual decision-making grounded in śāstric awareness.