Vamana Purana — Vishnu's Sleep (Ashunya-Shayana), Shloka 50

The Caturmasya Observances and the Rite of Vishnu’s Sleep (Aśūnya-Śayana) and Shiva’s Monthly Vows

Devanagari script

समोदकं तथा सर्पिः प्रीणनं विनिवेदयेत् दक्षिणा च सनैवेद्यं सृगाजिनमुदाहृतम्

Transliteration

samodakaṃ tathā sarpiḥ prīṇanaṃ vinivedayet dakṣiṇā ca sanaivedyaṃ sṛgājinamudāhṛtam

Translation

On doit offrir une oblation agréable faite d’eau mêlée (à quelque chose) et aussi de ghṛta (ghee). Et la rétribution rituelle (dakṣiṇā), avec ce naivedya, est dite être une peau de cerf.

Word by Word

• स-उदकम्: together with water
• स-उदकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; अव्ययीभाव: स- (सहित) + उदकम् = ‘with water’; qualifies (naivedya/prīṇana)

• तथा: likewise / also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• सर्पिः: ghee
• सर्पिः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्पिस्/सर्पि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; listed item (elliptic object in injunction context)

• प्रीणनम्: a pleasing offering / propitiation
• प्रीणनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीणन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of vinivedayet

• विनिवेदयेत्: should offer / present
• विनिवेदयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (धातु) with नि-वि- (उपसर्ग), causative stem निवेदय (णिच्)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada; causative (णिच्): ‘should present/offer’

• दक्षिणा: a fee / gift (dakṣiṇā)
• दक्षिणा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; listed item (gift)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• स-नैवेद्यम्: together with food-offering (naivedya)
• स-नैवेद्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय) + नैवेद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; अव्ययीभाव: ‘along with naivedya’; qualifies dakṣiṇā/udāhṛtam (as prescribed)

• सृग-अजिनम्: a jackal-skin
• सृग-अजिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सृग (प्रातिपदिक) + अजिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): सृगस्य अजिनम्

• उदाहृतम्: is declared / prescribed
• उदाहृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-आ-√हृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter, Nominative/Accusative Singular; predicative: ‘is stated/prescribed’ (elliptic ‘iti’)

Speakers

• Pulastya to Nārada (dialogue framework typical of the Purāṇa)

Primary Deities

• Śiva (Śaṅkara)

Key Themes

• Shaivism
• Vrata/Rituals
• Bhakti
• Dana (dakṣiṇā)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Devotion is expressed through disciplined offering and generosity: worship (naivedya) is paired with dakṣiṇā (giving), indicating that piety is incomplete without dāna and proper ritual respect.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

It aligns most closely with Ācāra/Dharma-style material embedded within Purāṇic narration (often treated under ancillary dharma sections rather than the core five marks like sarga/pratisarga). Functionally, it supports dharma instruction within the narrative frame.

What is the symbolic significance?

Ghee and prepared water symbolize purification and nourishment offered to the deity; the deer-skin evokes ascetic/vaidika imagery (ṛṣi-ideal), linking household worship to the austerity tradition and legitimizing the rite with Vedic resonance.