Vamana Purana — Shukra's Samjivani, Shloka 38

Shukra’s Saṃjīvanī, Shiva’s Containment of the Asuras, and Indra’s Recovery of Power

Devanagari script

अव्यक्तांश्चैव व्यक्तांश्च सगुणान्निर्गुणानपि स दृष्ट्वा कौतुकाविष्टः परिबभ्राम भार्गवः तत्रासतो भार्गवस्य दिव्यः संवत्सरो गतः

Transliteration

avyaktāṃścaiva vyaktāṃśca saguṇānnirguṇānapi sa dṛṣṭvā kautukāviṣṭaḥ paribabhrāma bhārgavaḥ tatrāsato bhārgavasya divyaḥ saṃvatsaro gataḥ

Translation

He saw also the unmanifest (avyakta) and the manifest (vyakta), and those with qualities (saguṇa) and those beyond qualities (nirguṇa). Having seen this, Bhārgava—seized by wonder—wandered about; and while he remained there, a divine year (divya saṃvatsara) passed for him.

Speakers

• Narrative voice describing Bhargava’s experience

Key Themes

• Manifest/unmanifest metaphysics in a Purāṇic frame
• Pilgrimage-wandering as contemplative practice
• Sacred time (divine year)
• Wonder leading to spiritual exhaustion and surrender

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

How can Bhārgava ‘see’ the unmanifest (avyakta) and the nirguṇa?

Purāṇic narrative often attributes expanded perception to sages through tapas, tirtha-contact, or divine favor. ‘Seeing’ here can denote yogic insight (darśana) rather than ordinary sensory perception.

What is the function of ‘a divine year passed’ in the story?

It marks prolonged immersion in the sacred field and underscores altered temporality near powerful tirthas or in heightened states. It also sets up the next turn: despite long effort, the sage does not attain the sought realization and turns to refuge.

Does ‘nirguṇa’ here imply a strict Vedāntic doctrine?

Not necessarily in a technical, school-bound sense. Purāṇas frequently use nirguṇa/saguṇa as broad theological-metaphysical markers, allowing a bridge between devotional theism and contemplative absoluteness.