Vamana Purana — Vishnu Slays Kalanemi, Shloka 16

Vishnu Enters the Deva–Asura War and Slays Kalanemi

Devanagari script

इत्येवमुक्त्वा वचनं सुरराट् स्यन्दनं बली समारुरोह भगवान् यतमातलिवाजिनम्

Transliteration

ityevamuktvā vacanaṃ surarāṭ syandanaṃ balī samāruroha bhagavān yatamātalivājinam

Translation

આ રીતે વચન કહી દેવસમ્રાટ બલવાન્ ભગવાન્ પોતાના દિવ્ય રથ પર આરોહણ કર્યા; તે માતલિ દ્વારા નિયંત્રિત અશ્વોથી યુક્ત હતો।

Speakers

• Narrator voice (Purāṇic narration) describing Indra’s action after addressing the Devas

Primary Deities

• Indra (Śakra)
• Mātali

Key Themes

• Divine kingship and readiness
• Chariot imagery in epic-Purāṇic warfare
• Order and discipline (well-guided steeds)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why is Indra called ‘bhagavān’ in this context?

In Purāṇic diction, ‘bhagavān’ can denote a revered divine lord or sovereign, not only Viṣṇu or Śiva. Here it underscores Indra’s majesty and authority as surarāṭ.

Who is Mātali and what is his narrative function?

Mātali is Indra’s famed sārathi (charioteer). Mentioning him signals a formal battle departure and evokes the well-known epic motif of a divine chariot guided by an expert driver.

Does ‘yata-mātali-vājinam’ convey anything beyond ‘horses of Mātali’?

Yes. The compound implies the steeds are ‘well-restrained/well-directed’ under Mātali’s control—suggesting disciplined, auspicious readiness rather than chaotic haste.