Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 63

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

Devanagari script

आकाशात् पर्पताकारः पतमानो नजोत्तमः सिद्धानां वाक्यमाकर्ण्य बाणैश्छिन्नः सहस्रधा

Transliteration

ākāśāt parpatākāraḥ patamāno najottamaḥ siddhānāṃ vākyamākarṇya bāṇaiśchinnaḥ sahasradhā

Translation

ومن السماء هَوَى رجلٌ من خيار الرجال، في هيئةٍ كهيئة طائرٍ ذي جناحين. فلما سمع كلام السِّدْهَة (السِّدّها)، قُطِّع بالسهام إلى ألفِ قطعة.

Speakers

• Narratorial verse (no direct speech); Siddhas are referenced as speaking (their 'words' are heard).

Key Themes

• Celestial omens and intervention
• Siddhas as witnesses/commentators
• Violence by bāṇa (arrows)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who are the Siddhas, and why are they mentioned?

Siddhas are perfected semi-divine beings who inhabit higher realms; in Purāṇic narration they often function as cosmic witnesses whose speech signals that an event has supra-human significance.

What does 'cut into a thousand pieces' convey in Purāṇic style?

It is a conventional hyperbole indicating overwhelming martial force or a miraculous weapon-effect, emphasizing the inevitability and totality of the victim’s defeat.

Is 'parpatākāraḥ' a standard word for a bird-form?

It is not among the most common classical terms; in context it suggests a fluttering/winged appearance while falling, and may reflect a regional or manuscript-specific reading.