Vamana Purana — Vishnu Slays Kalanemi, Shloka 32

Vishnu Enters the Deva–Asura War and Slays Kalanemi

Devanagari script

निजघ्नुर्दानवान् देवाः कुमारभुजपालिताः देवान् निजघ्नुर्दैत्याश्च मयगुप्ताः प्रहारिणः

Transliteration

nijaghnurdānavān devāḥ kumārabhujapālitāḥ devān nijaghnurdaityāśca mayaguptāḥ prahāriṇaḥ

Translation

The gods, protected by the arms of Kumāra, struck down the Dānavas; and the Daityas too struck down the gods—assailants concealed by illusion (māyā).

Speakers

• Narratorial voice (Purāṇic narrator) summarizing reciprocal slaughter and tactics.

Primary Deities

• Skanda (Kumāra/Kārttikeya)
• Devas (collective)
• Daityas/Dānavas (collective)

Key Themes

• Reciprocal destruction in war
• Divine protection (Kumāra’s guardianship)
• Māyā (illusion) as demonic tactic

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What does “kumārabhujapālitāḥ” imply about Skanda’s role?

It portrays Skanda not merely as a fighter but as a protective force—his “arms” symbolize martial shelter, leadership, and the stabilizing of the devas’ battle formation.

How should “māyāguptāḥ” be understood—literal magic or poetic description?

In Purāṇic idiom it can be both: daityas are frequently said to employ māyā (illusion, concealment, deceptive forms). It marks asymmetric tactics—ambush, disguise, or supernatural concealment—contrasted with the devas’ open assault.

Why does the verse emphasize that both sides ‘strike down’ each other?

It underscores the ferocity and parity of the engagement at this moment, heightening narrative tension before the decisive intervention typical of the Andhaka-vadha cycle.