Vamana Purana — Andhaka's Defeat & Redemption, Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

ततः कार्मुकमानम्य बाणजालैर्गणेश्वरान् सुरान् संछादयामास सेन्द्रोपेन्द्रमहेश्वरान्

Transliteration

tataḥ kārmukamānamya bāṇajālairgaṇeśvarān surān saṃchādayāmāsa sendropendramaheśvarān

Translation

śruyatām: ‘let it be heard / listen’; gotrabhit-cakra: ‘one whose cakra (discus) is the gotra-breaker’ or ‘he who breaks the gotra with the cakra’; cakra: ‘discus’ (Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana); kīrtita: ‘praised/celebrated’; yathā mayā: ‘as (told) by me’; hate: ‘when slain’; hiraṇyakaśipau: ‘Hiraṇyakaśipu’ (locative/when Hiraṇyakaśipu was killed); ari-mardana: ‘crusher of enemies’ (epithet of Viṣṇu/Narasiṃha).

Speakers

• Narrator voice (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle scene to the listening sage/audience (contextual).

Primary Deities

• Indra
• Viṣṇu (Upendra/Janārdana)
• Śiva (Maheśvara)

Key Themes

• Deva-Asura conflict
• Martial imagery (bāṇa-jāla)
• Divine coalition (Indra–Viṣṇu–Śiva)
• Threat even to the highest gods

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who is the implied archer that ‘covers’ the gods with arrows?

Within Adhyāya 44’s Andhaka-vadha battle frame, the subject is the principal hostile combatant opposing the devas (commonly Andhaka or a leading asura/daitya ally, depending on the immediate narrative line). The verse emphasizes the intensity of the assault rather than naming him here.

Why are ‘gaṇeśvaras’ mentioned alongside the devas?

Because the conflict is not merely Vedic devas versus asuras; Śiva’s gaṇas (and their leaders) are also active participants. The verse signals a Śaiva battlefield presence integrated with the deva host.

What is the significance of listing Indra, Upendra, and Maheśvara together?

It highlights that the arrow-shower is formidable enough to envelop even the highest divine authorities—Indra (deva-king), Viṣṇu (protector as Upendra), and Śiva (Maheśvara). This sets up the need for decisive divine response in the following verses.