Vamana Purana — Kali's Complaint to Brahma (Part 2), Shloka 43

Kali’s Complaint to Brahma and the Arrival of Śrī (Jayaśrī) in Bali’s Reign

Devanagari script

त्वया बलविभूत्या हि प्रीतिर्मे जनिता ध्रुवा यत्त्वया युधि विक्रम्य देवराजो विनिर्जितः

Transliteration

tvayā balavibhūtyā hi prītirme janitā dhruvā yattvayā yudhi vikramya devarājo vinirjitaḥ

Translation

“Indeed, through your manifestation of strength, a firm joy has arisen in me—because you, displaying prowess in battle, have thoroughly defeated the king of the gods.”

Speakers

• Unspecified in input; a speaker praises a Dānava/Daitya champion for defeating Indra.

Primary Deities

• Indra

Key Themes

• Deva–Asura conflict
• Legitimation through victory
• Indra’s defeat as narrative catalyst

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who is “Devarāja” here, and why is his defeat emphasized?

Devarāja is Indra. His defeat is a conventional marker that Asuras have gained temporary sovereignty over Svarga, often prompting divine counsel and eventually Viṣṇu’s intervention (frequently via Vāmana/Trivikrama in the Bali cycle).

What nuance does vinirjita carry compared to jita?

Vinirjita intensifies the sense of conquest—‘routed’ or ‘thoroughly subdued’—underscoring decisive victory rather than a minor win.

How does this verse function within Purāṇic storytelling?

It heightens the hero’s stature and sets the stakes: Indra’s loss destabilizes cosmic governance, which typically leads to negotiations, boons, or avatāra-driven restoration of order.