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

Setelah berkata demikian, sang raja para dewa yang perkasa, Bhagavān, menaiki kereta perangnya yang agung dan ilahi, ditarik kuda-kuda yang dikendalikan oleh Mātali.

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.