Vamana Purana — Andhaka's Defeat & Redemption, Shloka 19

Andhaka’s Defeat, the Bhairava Manifestation, and His Redemption as Bhṛṅgī Gaṇapati

Devanagari script

पदान्यष्टौ ततो गत्वा मेघगम्भीरया गिरा स्थित्वा प्रोवाच दैत्येन्द्रो महादेवं स हेतुमत्

Transliteration

padānyaṣṭau tato gatvā meghagambhīrayā girā sthitvā provāca daityendro mahādevaṃ sa hetumat

Translation

তাৰ পিছত দৈত্যেন্দ্ৰে আঠ পদ আগবাঢ়ি থিয় হৈ, মেঘগম্ভীৰ কণ্ঠে মহাদেৱক যুক্তিসহ তীক্ষ্ণ বাক্য ক’লে।

Speakers

• Daityendra speaking to Mahādeva (Śiva).

Primary Deities

• Shiva (Mahadeva)
• Daityas (collective)

Key Themes

• Direct confrontation with Śiva
• Hubris and challenge speech
• Dramatic battlefield rhetoric

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is conveyed by “eight paces” (padānyaṣṭau)?

It functions as a staging detail: the Daitya leader closes to a deliberate speaking distance—near enough to confront, yet far enough to posture—heightening the drama before the verbal challenge.

Why describe the voice as “megha-gambhīra” (cloud-deep)?

Purāṇic style uses natural grandeur to signal power and intimidation; a thundercloud-like voice frames the Daitya as formidable and wrathful, matching the battlefield setting.

How should “hetumat” be read here?

It indicates the speech is not casual; it is motivated—either accusatory, challenging, or justificatory—setting up the explicit taunt and claim of victory stated in the next verse.