Vamana Purana — Merit of Shravana Dvadashi, Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

शक्रः शतं तु पुण्यानां क्रोतूनामजयत् पुरा दैत्येन्द्र वाजिमेधानां तेन ब्रह्मसदो गतः

Transliteration

śakraḥ śataṃ tu puṇyānāṃ krotūnāmajayat purā daityendra vājimedhānāṃ tena brahmasado gataḥ

Translation

হে দৈত্যেন্দ্ৰ, শক্ৰে পূৰ্বকালে পুণ্যদায়ক এশ অশ্বমেধ ক্ৰতুৰ দ্বাৰা (অন্যক) অতিক্ৰম কৰিছিল; তাৰ ফলত তেওঁ ব্ৰহ্মসদ/ব্ৰহ্মাসন লাভ কৰিলে।

Speakers

• Śukra addressing the Daitya lord (Bali)
• citing Indra’s precedent.

Primary Deities

• Indra (Śakra)
• Brahmā
• Śukra

Key Themes

• Aśvamedha as instrument of sovereignty
• Merit (puṇya) through śrauta ritual
• Competitive kingship and cosmic rank

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Is ‘vājimedha’ the same as Aśvamedha?

In Purāṇic usage, ‘vājimedha’ commonly functions as a synonym or near-synonym for Aśvamedha (horse-sacrifice), a paradigmatic royal rite conferring imperial legitimacy.

What is meant by ‘brahmasadaḥ’—did Indra literally go to Brahmā’s world?

‘Brahma-sad’ can denote Brahmā’s assembly/seat as a symbol of supreme divine recognition. The verse emphasizes Indra’s elevation in status through ritual merit rather than giving a precise cosmographic itinerary.

Why does Śukra cite Indra’s hundred sacrifices to Bali?

It is strategic instruction: Indra’s ritual record is presented as a benchmark. By hearing that Indra gained supremacy through repeated Aśvamedhas, Bali is motivated to undertake comparable or greater rites to assert Daitya sovereignty.