Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 116

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

Devanagari script

अपश्यंस्तीर्थसलिले स्नायमानान् नरोत्तमान् ततश्चित्राङ्गदा दृष्ट्वा जटामण्डलधारिणम्/ सुरथं हसती प्राह संरोहत्पुलका सखीम्

Transliteration

apaśyaṃstīrthasalile snāyamānān narottamān tataścitrāṅgadā dṛṣṭvā jaṭāmaṇḍaladhāriṇam/ surathaṃ hasatī prāha saṃrohatpulakā sakhīm

Translation

Vieron a hombres excelentes bañándose en el agua del tīrtha, el vado sagrado. Entonces Citrāṅgadā, al ver a Suratha—que llevaba un círculo de cabellos enmarañados (jaṭā)—sonriendo habló a su amiga, con el cuerpo erizado por la emoción.

Speakers

• Narration; direct speech is introduced: Citrāṅgadā speaks to her friend (sakhī) upon seeing Suratha

Primary Deities

• Śiva (implied by jaṭā-ascetic culture and the nearby Hāṭakeśvara tīrtha)

Key Themes

• Tīrtha-snāna (ritual bathing)
• Recognition scene (pratyabhijñā)
• Ascetic markers and sacred space
• Emotional bhāva (pulaka) as a sign of intense recollection

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does the text emphasize ‘tīrtha-salila’ and bathing?

In Purāṇic geography, the defining act of a tīrtha is snāna. Mentioning ‘tīrtha-salila’ signals that the scene is anchored in a sanctified hydroscape where merit (puṇya) is accessed through contact with the water.

What does ‘jaṭā-maṇḍala-dhārin’ convey about Suratha?

It marks Suratha as adopting ascetic appearance—matted locks arranged like a ‘maṇḍala’ (a circular crown/halo). This can indicate a vow (vrata), penance (tapas), or affiliation with Śaiva/ṛṣi culture typical of tīrtha environments.

What is the narrative function of Citrāṅgadā’s gooseflesh (pulaka)?

Pulaka is a conventional sign of sudden emotional surge—recognition, love, awe, or devotional intensity. Here it foreshadows that Suratha is not a random ascetic but someone tied to her prior life-story or relationship, prompting the next explanatory speech.