Vamana Purana — Daksha's Sacrifice & Kapalin Rudra, Shloka 32

Daksha’s Sacrifice and the Origin of Kapalin Rudra (Pulastya–Narada Dialogue)

Devanagari script

अहं ते प्रतिजानामि तमोमूर्तो त्रिलोचन दिग्वासा वृषभारूढो लोकक्षयकरो भवान्

Transliteration

ahaṃ te pratijānāmi tamomūrto trilocana digvāsā vṛṣabhārūḍho lokakṣayakaro bhavān

Translation

I promise you, O three-eyed one: you are the embodiment of darkness, clothed with the quarters (that is, naked), mounted upon the bull, and a maker of the dissolution of the worlds.

Word by Word

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• te: to you
• te: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: मध्यमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-एकवचन रूप (Dative/Genitive singular); अत्र चतुर्थी (to you)

• pratijānāmi: I promise/declare
• pratijānāmi: Kriya (क्रिया/finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√jñā (ज्ञा)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• tamomūrtaḥ: embodiment of darkness
• tamomūrtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tamas (प्रातिपदिक) + mūrta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-प्रायः) ‘तमसः मूर्तिः’ = embodiment of darkness

• trilocana: O three-eyed one
• trilocana: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास ‘त्रीणि लोचनानि यस्य’ = three-eyed (addressing Rudra)

• digvāsāḥ: clad in the directions (sky-clad)
• digvāsāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: diś (प्रातिपदिक) + vāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि ‘दिशः वासः यस्य’ = one whose clothing is the quarters (naked)

• vṛṣabhārūḍhaḥ: mounted on the bull
• vṛṣabhārūḍhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक) + ārūḍha (कृदन्त, ā-√ruh रुह्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (सप्तमी/उपपद) ‘वृषभे आरूढः’ = mounted on a bull; कृदन्तः क्त from √ruh with ā-

• lokakṣayakaraḥ: world-destroying
• lokakṣayakaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + kṣaya (प्रातिपदिक) + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी) ‘लोकस्य क्षयः’ + ‘करः’ = causing the destruction of the world(s)

• bhavān: you
• bhavān: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; संबोधनार्थे आदर-प्रयोगः (honorific ‘you’)

Speakers

• The ‘fifth face’ addressing Rudra/Śaṅkara; overarching narration likely within Pulastya–Nārada frame (not explicit in input)

Primary Deities

• Rudra (Śiva)

Key Themes

• Rudra as destroyer
• Tamas as cosmic principle
• Eschatology (pralaya function)
• Sectarian harmony via functional theology

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Destruction is not framed as ‘evil’ but as a necessary cosmic function; the terrifying form is integrated into dharma as part of cyclical time and renewal.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

Primarily saṃsthāna/pralaya-oriented material (often grouped under sarga–pratisarga complex): it defines Rudra’s role in dissolution and cosmic maintenance.

What is the symbolic significance?

‘Tamas-form’ signifies the power that withdraws manifest multiplicity; the three eyes indicate transcendent perception beyond ordinary dualities; bull-mount and nudity mark ascetic sovereignty and primal strength.