Vamana Purana — Andhaka's Defeat & Redemption, Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

इतेयवमुक्ताः प्रमथा वासुदेवेन सामराः चक्रुर्वेगं सहेन्द्रेण समं चक्रधरेण च

Transliteration

iteyavamuktāḥ pramathā vāsudevena sāmarāḥ cakrurvegaṃ sahendreṇa samaṃ cakradhareṇa ca

Translation

এভাবে বাসুদেবের কথায়, �Vamana Purana,45,23,VamP 45.23,ityevamuktā sā bhartrā ditirniyamamāsthitā garbhādhānaṃ ṛṣiḥ kṛtvā jagāmodayaparvatam,इत्येवमुक्ता सा भर्त्रा दितिर्नियममास्थिता गर्भाधानं ऋषिः कृत्वा जगामोदयपर्वतम्,Diti–Kashyapa Narrative (Ritual conception and subsequent movement),Ritual (Garbhādhāna) & Sacred Geography (Mountain locale),Adhyāya 45 (Diti’s observance and the promised birth),23,ityevamuktā sā bhartrā ditirniyamamāsthitā garbhādhānaṃ ṛṣiḥ kṛtvā jagāmodayaparvatam,ity evam uktā sā bhartrā ditir niyamam āsthitā | garbhādhānaṃ ṛṣiḥ kṛtvā jagāma udaya-parvatam |,Thus instructed by her husband

Speakers

• Narrator voice describing the response of the Pramathas and devas to the preceding instruction.

Primary Deities

• Vāsudeva (Viṣṇu)
• Indra
• Śiva (via Pramatha hosts)

Key Themes

• Shaiva–Vaishnava cooperation in cosmic order
• Collective divine assault against adharma
• Martial momentum (vega) and coordinated action

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who are the Pramathas, and why are they prominent in an Andhaka episode?

Pramathas are Śiva’s attendant gaṇas, often depicted as fierce, irregular troops. In Andhaka-related narratives, they function as Śiva’s battlefield host, executing tactical strikes and supporting the devas.

What is the significance of naming Viṣṇu as ‘Vāsudeva’ and ‘Cakradhara’ here?

‘Vāsudeva’ identifies Viṣṇu in a personal, heroic register, while ‘Cakradhara’ highlights his signature weapon (Sudarśana). Together they mark Viṣṇu’s active martial participation rather than a distant cosmic role.

Does this verse reflect a broader purāṇic theme beyond the immediate battle?

Yes: it exemplifies Shaiva–Vaishnava unity—Śiva’s gaṇas (Pramathas) and Viṣṇu (Cakradhara) acting in concert with Indra and the devas to restore dharma.