Vamana Purana — Vishnu Slays Kalanemi, Shloka 22

Vishnu Enters the Deva–Asura War and Slays Kalanemi

Devanagari script

तमागतं सहस्राक्षस्त्रैलोक्यपतिमव्ययम् ववन्द मूर्ध्नावनतः सह सर्वैः सुरोत्तमैः

Transliteration

tamāgataṃ sahasrākṣastrailokyapatimavyayam vavanda mūrdhnāvanataḥ saha sarvaiḥ surottamaiḥ

Translation

When he had arrived, Sahasrākṣa (Indra), bowing his head, paid homage to that imperishable Lord of the three worlds, together with all the foremost gods.

Speakers

• Narrator voice describing Indra and the devas honoring Viṣṇu.

Primary Deities

• Vishnu
• Indra

Key Themes

• Devotional reverence (vandana)
• Cosmic sovereignty of Viṣṇu (trailokya-patitva)
• Deva hierarchy and unity

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does Indra worship Viṣṇu if Indra is king of the gods?

Purāṇic theology distinguishes administrative sovereignty (Indra’s rulership of Svarga) from ultimate sovereignty (Viṣṇu as trailokya-pati). Indra’s bowing signals that even the deva-king depends on the imperishable supreme principle.

What is the significance of ‘avyaya’ in this context?

‘Avyaya’ emphasizes transcendence over time and decay—contrasting the changing offices of devas (including Indra-hood across cycles) with the unchanging nature of the supreme Lord.

Is this a formal stuti (hymn) or a narrative salute?

It is a narrative depiction of vandana (salutation). A full stuti would typically expand into multiple descriptive epithets and praises; here the reverence is conveyed through action and key titles.