Vamana Purana — Daksha's Sacrifice & Kapalin Rudra, Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

नारायणवचः श्रुत्वा त्रिशूलेन त्रिलोचनः सव्यं नारायणभुजं ताडयामास वेगवान्

Transliteration

nārāyaṇavacaḥ śrutvā triśūlena trilocanaḥ savyaṃ nārāyaṇabhujaṃ tāḍayāmāsa vegavān

Translation

Hearing Nārāyaṇa’s words, the three-eyed one (Śiva), swift in action, struck Nārāyaṇa’s left arm with the trident.

Word by Word

• नारायणवचः: Nārāyaṇa’s words
• नारायणवचः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारायण + वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: नारायणस्य वचः); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (वचस्-शब्दस्य रूपम्)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया-अनुबन्ध/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having heard)

• त्रिशूलेन: with the trident
• त्रिशूलेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिशूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण

• त्रिलोचनः: the three-eyed one (Śiva)
• त्रिलोचनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + लोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (यस्य त्रयः लोचनानि सः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• सव्यम्: left
• सव्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• नारायणभुजम्: Nārāyaṇa’s arm
• नारायणभुजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारायण + भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: नारायणस्य भुजः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ताडयामास: struck
• ताडयामास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ताडय् (धातु, णिजन्त) + आस् (धातु)
• Form: परिप्रयोग (periphrastic perfect): ताडयाम् (आम-प्रत्ययान्त-आख्यात-आदेश) + आस (लिट्/परस्मैपद-समर्थक); प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; अर्थः—‘प्रहारं चकार’

• वेगवान्: impetuous/forceful
• वेगवान्: Karta (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speakers

• Narratorial description of Śiva’s action in response to Nārāyaṇa

Primary Deities

• Shiva (Trilocana)
• Vishnu (Nārāyaṇa)

Key Themes

• Shaiva–Vaishnava Synthesis
• Divine Lila
• Theology through Action
• Power (Śakti/Tejas)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Spiritual narratives often teach that ultimate reality is not harmed by apparent conflict; what looks like rivalry is framed as purposeful instruction for the audience.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

Carita-style theological narration: a divine interaction used to establish doctrine and devotional orientation rather than genealogical or cosmological enumeration.

What is the symbolic significance?

The trident-blow motif externalizes the meeting of cosmic functions—creation/preservation/destruction—without implying true separation between Śiva and Viṣṇu; it supports the Purāṇic tendency toward sectarian reconciliation.