Vamana Purana — Merit of Shravana Dvadashi, Shloka 15

The Merit of Śravaṇa-Dvādaśī and the Liberation of a Preta through Gayā Piṇḍa-Rites

Devanagari script

तद् वरं तस्य च प्रादात् तपसा पङ्कजोद्भवः परितुष्टः स च बली निर्जगाम त्रिविष्टपम्

Transliteration

tad varaṃ tasya ca prādāt tapasā paṅkajodbhavaḥ parituṣṭaḥ sa ca balī nirjagāma triviṣṭapam

Translation

{"has_teaching": true, "teaching_type": "jnana", "core_concept": "Adbhuta-darśana leading to dharma-jijñāsā (inquiry into unseen order).", "teaching_summary": "A wondrous event at a sacred site should prompt disciplined questioning of its cause; knowledge of dharma and karma is gained through respectful dialogue with those who know the hidden workings.", "vedantic_theme": "Jijñāsā as the doorway to right understanding; moving from pratyakṣa (seen miracle) to tattva (principle).", "practical_application": "When encountering unusual religious experiences, respond with humility and inquiry rather than fear or superstition."}

Speakers

• Narrator to Nārada

Primary Deities

• Brahmā

Key Themes

• Boon fulfillment and narrative escalation
• Heaven (Svarga) as contested space
• Tapas → vara → hubris/conflict trajectory

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the significance of the epithet ‘paṅkajodbhava’ here?

It identifies Brahmā through a standard cosmogenic image—arising from the lotus—reinforcing his role as creator and lawful dispenser of boons within the cosmic order.

Does ‘triviṣṭapa’ have a specific geographic referent in the Vāmana Purāṇa?

Here it denotes Svarga/Devaloka (a celestial realm). Unlike rivers and tīrthas, it is not a terrestrial pilgrimage site, but it functions as a ‘realm-location’ that motivates subsequent conflict when Asuras intrude upon it.

What narrative function does ‘nirjagāma triviṣṭapam’ serve?

It signals the transition from ascetic acquisition of power to its outward deployment—typically an assault on Devas or disruption of cosmic balance—setting up the need for divine intervention later in the cycle.