Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 61

Shukra’s Curse on King Danda and Andhaka’s Challenge to Shiva

Devanagari script

तस्यार्थे चैव वसुधा स्माभिरटिता नृप तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ मार्गस्व साहाय्यं कर्तुमर्हसि

Transliteration

tasyārthe caiva vasudhā smābhiraṭitā nṛpa tasmāduttiṣṭha mārgasva sāhāyyaṃ kartumarhasi

Translation

「そのためにこそ、大王よ、我らは大地を遍くさまよいました。ゆえに立ち上がり、（それを）求めて道を探り、我らに助力をお与えください。」

Speakers

• Ṛtadhvaja addressing King Indradyumna

Primary Deities

• Vishnu

Key Themes

• Tirtha Yatra (pilgrimage/search)
• Royal duty to aid dharmic aims
• Quest for a famed sacred site
• Collective effort (asmābhiḥ)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What does ‘wandering over the earth’ signify in a māhātmya context?

It signals a formal tīrtha-yātrā or quest: sacred geography is not merely described but ‘earned’ through travel, inquiry, and royal support, reinforcing the idea that holy places are discovered through dharmic effort.

Why is the king asked to ‘rise up’ (uttiṣṭha)?

The imperative frames kingship as active dharma: the ruler is expected to mobilize resources, guide searches, and support sages/seekers in accessing sacred sites and their benefits.

Is the verse prescribing a general duty or narrating a specific request?

Primarily a specific request within the story—help locate/access the famed Nandayantī—yet it also models a general Purāṇic ideal: rulers should assist religious quests and the maintenance of sacred landscapes.