Vamana Purana — Harihara Non-Duality, Shloka 48

Harihara Non-Duality and the Revelation of Sadasiva to the Ganas

Devanagari script

अर्द्धेन वैष्णववपुर्द्धेन हरविग्रहः खगध्वजं वृषारूढं वृषध्वजम्

Transliteration

arddhena vaiṣṇavavapurddhena haravigrahaḥ khagadhvajaṃ vṛṣārūḍhaṃ vṛṣadhvajam

Translation

उसका आधा शरीर वैष्णव-स्वरूप था और आधा हर-स्वरूप; वह गरुड़-चिह्नित ध्वजा धारण करता, वृषभ पर आरूढ़ और वृषध्वज कहलाता था।

Speakers

• Narrator voice within the Andhaka-vadha narrative (iconographic description)

Primary Deities

• Śiva (Hara)
• Viṣṇu (Hari)
• Garuḍa (implied by khaga-dhvaja)
• Nandin/Bull (vehicle, implied by vṛṣārūḍha)

Key Themes

• Shaiva-Vaishnava Unity
• Composite iconography (half-and-half form)
• Divine sovereignty symbols (dhvaja/standard)
• Mythic visualization in battle narrative

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Is this the same as Ardhanārīśvara?

No. Ardhanārīśvara is Śiva united with Śakti (Pārvatī) in a half-and-half form. Here the composite is Hari-Hara: one half Vaiṣṇava (Viṣṇu) and one half Hara (Śiva), expressing sectarian integration rather than Śiva-Śakti polarity.

How can one figure have both Garuḍa’s banner and the bull vehicle/bull banner?

The verse intentionally layers emblems: Garuḍa-dhvaja is a classic Vaiṣṇava sign, while vṛṣa (bull) as vehicle and banner is Śaiva. The composite form simultaneously displays both sets of insignia to communicate a single divine agency operating through both traditions.

What is the narrative function of this iconography in the Andhaka episode?

In Andhaka-vadha contexts, such manifestations often signal an escalation of divine power and a unification of forces. The Gaṇas’ vision of Hari-Hara underscores that the impending action is backed by an all-encompassing divinity, not a merely factional deity.