Vamana Purana — Vishnu's Sleep (Ashunya-Shayana), Shloka 51

The Caturmasya Observances and the Rite of Vishnu’s Sleep (Aśūnya-Śayana) and Shiva’s Monthly Vows

Devanagari script

नाट्येश्वर नमस्ते ऽस्तु इदमुच्चार्य नारद प्रीणनं देवनाथाय कुर्याच्छ्रद्धासमन्वितः

Transliteration

nāṭyeśvara namaste 'stu idamuccārya nārada prīṇanaṃ devanāthāya kuryācchraddhāsamanvitaḥ

Translation

Having uttered, “O Nāṭyeśvara, salutations be unto you,” O Nārada, one should, endowed with śraddhā (faith), perform the propitiatory offering (prīṇana) for the Lord of the gods.

Word by Word

• नाट्य-ईश्वर: O Lord of dance
• नाट्य-ईश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाट्य + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular; तत्पुरुष: नाट्यस्य ईश्वरः

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/utterance)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Particle used in salutation (नमः-प्रयोग, अव्ययीभूत)

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; enclitic pronoun

• अस्तु: let it be
• अस्तु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अस् (धातु)
• Form: Imperative/लोट्, 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of uccārya (having uttered this)

• उच्चार्य: having recited
• उच्चार्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-√चर् (धातु) + ल्यप् (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Absolutive/क्त्वान्त (ल्यप्), indeclinable; ‘having uttered/recited’

• नारद: O Nārada
• नारद: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• प्रीणनम्: propitiatory offering
• प्रीणनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीणन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of kuryāt

• देव-नाथाय: for the Lord of the gods
• देव-नाथाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; तत्पुरुष: देवानां नाथः

• कुर्यात्: should do / should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• श्रद्धा-समन्वितः: endowed with faith
• श्रद्धा-समन्वितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रद्धा + समन्वित (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, सम्-अनु-√इ)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifies implied agent (he); तत्पुरुष: श्रद्धया समन्वितः

Speakers

• Pulastya to Nārada (instructional address within the narrative)

Primary Deities

• Śiva (Nāṭyeśvara)
• Devanātha (contextually Śiva as lord of devas)

Key Themes

• Shaivism
• Bhakti
• Mantra/Prayer
• Vrata/Rituals

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "bhakti", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Ritual efficacy is anchored in śraddhā (inner sincerity). The verse prioritizes intention and devotion alongside the external act of offering.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

As with many Purāṇas, it is dharma/ācāra instruction nested inside the narrative dialogue (Pulastya–Nārada). It is not sarga/pratisarga, but a prescriptive passage supporting dharmic practice.

What is the symbolic significance?

Invoking Śiva as Nāṭyeśvara highlights the cosmic order expressed as rhythm and movement (dance). Worship becomes alignment with that order through reverent speech and faithful action.