Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 156

Shukra’s Curse on King Danda and Andhaka’s Challenge to Shiva

Devanagari script

सुराणामधिपं शक्रं सहैव सुरकिन्नरैः त्वष्ट्राथ संस्मृतः शक्रो मरुद्गणवृतस्तदा

Transliteration

surāṇāmadhipaṃ śakraṃ sahaiva surakinnaraiḥ tvaṣṭrātha saṃsmṛtaḥ śakro marudgaṇavṛtastadā

Translation

Then Tvaṣṭṛ called to mind (invoked) Śakra, the lord of the gods, together with the divine Kinnaras. At that time Śakra—surrounded by the host of Maruts—appeared in response.

Speakers

• Narrator describing Tvaṣṭṛ/Viśvakarmā’s invocation and Indra’s response.

Primary Deities

• Indra (Śakra)
• Maruts
• Tvaṣṭṛ/Viśvakarmā

Key Themes

• Divine response to invocation (smaraṇa)
• Deva polity (Indra as surādhipa)
• Celestial retinues (Maruts, Kinnaras)
• Interchange/overlap of artisan deities (Tvaṣṭṛ and Viśvakarmā)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why are Kinnaras and Maruts mentioned with Indra?

Purāṇas depict Indra as arriving with characteristic retinues: Maruts as his martial/storm entourage and Kinnaras as celestial attendants associated with divine courts. Their mention signals a formal deva-assembly rather than a private visit.

Is Tvaṣṭṛ different from Viśvakarmā here?

Vedic and Purāṇic traditions sometimes distinguish them (Tvaṣṭṛ as a formative artisan-deity; Viśvakarmā as the supreme architect), but many Purāṇic passages use the names fluidly or genealogically link them. Here, the narrative function is clear: the artisan figure performs the invocation that compels Indra’s appearance.

What is the narrative purpose of Indra’s immediate response?

It demonstrates the efficacy of ‘saṃsmaraṇa’ and elevates the episode from a local family event to a cosmic-scale recognition. In a tīrtha-centered chapter, such divine attendance also magnifies the sanctity and authority of the Godāvarī setting.