Vamana Purana — Slaying of Raktabija, Shloka 3

The Slaying of Raktabīja and Niśumbha–Śumbha; the Manifestation of the Mātṛkās and the Devas’ Hymn

Devanagari script

निनदन्त्यास्ततो देव्या ब्रह्माणी मुखतो ऽभवत् हंसयुक्तविमानस्था साक्षसूत्रकमण्डलुः

Transliteration

ninadantyāstato devyā brahmāṇī mukhato 'bhavat haṃsayuktavimānasthā sākṣasūtrakamaṇḍaluḥ

Translation

そのとき女神が轟然と咆哮すると、ブラフマーニーがその口より現れた。白鳥に牽かれる天のヴィマーナに坐し、数珠と聖紐（ヤジュニョーパヴィータ）を帯び、水壺カマンダルを手にしていた。

Speakers

• Pulastya narrating to Nārada

Primary Deities

• Devī
• Brahmāṇī (Brahmā’s Śakti)
• Brahmā (implied)

Key Themes

• Mātṛkā theology (emanation of deity-powers)
• Iconography of Brahmāṇī (haṃsa-vāhana, kamaṇḍalu, rosary/thread)
• Devī as matrix/source of divine energies

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does Brahmāṇī emerge from the Goddess’s mouth?

Emanation from the mouth symbolizes manifestation through sound/command (vāk-śakti) and immediate creative power. In Mātṛkā frameworks, Devī externalizes specific deity-energies as distinct forms to accomplish battle-tasks.

What does the swan-yoked vimāna indicate about Brahmāṇī?

The haṃsa is Brahmā’s emblem (and a symbol of discernment), so a swan-associated vehicle marks Brahmāṇī as Brahmā’s śakti. The vimāna underscores her celestial, authoritative status rather than a terrestrial mount.

How do the listed objects function as identifiers?

Rosary (akṣasūtra), sacred thread, and kamaṇḍalu are standard creator/ascetic emblems. Their inclusion is a Purāṇic iconographic shorthand to ensure the audience recognizes the Mātṛkā’s divine affiliation and role.