Vamana Purana — Manifestation of Katyayani, Shloka 21
The Manifestation of Katyayani (Durga) and the Humbling of the Vindhya by Agastya
ततः स्तुताः देववरैर्मृगेन्द्रमारुह्य देवी प्रगतावनीध्रम् विन्ध्यं महापर्वतमुच्चशृङ्गं चकार यं निम्नतरं त्वगस्त्यः
tataḥ stutāḥ devavarairmṛgendramāruhya devī pragatāvanīdhram vindhyaṃ mahāparvatamuccaśṛṅgaṃ cakāra yaṃ nimnataraṃ tvagastyaḥ
Alors, louée par les plus éminents des dieux, la Déesse monta le seigneur des bêtes (un lion) et se rendit sur la terre porteuse de montagnes. Elle gagna le Vindhya, grande montagne aux sommets élevés—ce Vindhya qu’Agastya avait abaissé.
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FAQs
Cosmic order is maintained through cooperation between divine power (Devī) and ascetic authority (Agastya); the myth teaches restraint of excess (Vindhya’s overgrowth) and the necessity of humility before dharma-supporting sages.
This is best classed under 'manvantara/vaṃśānucarita' in the loose Purāṇic sense of narrating exemplary figures (ṛṣis) and sacred-world ordering events; it also serves as a tīrtha/geography-adjacent etiological notice (though not a full māhātmya passage by itself).
Vindhya symbolizes unchecked expansion or pride; Agastya’s making it 'lower' represents the leveling power of tapas and wisdom. Devī’s lion mount signifies sovereign śakti moving to a liminal frontier (Vindhya) where order and wildness meet.