Vamana Purana — Prahlada's Counsel to Andhaka, Shloka 23

Shukra’s Curse on King Danda and Prahlada’s Counsel to Andhaka on Dharma

Devanagari script

किं ममासौ रणे योद्धुं शक्तस्त्रिमयनो ऽसुर एकाकी धर्मरहितो भस्मारुणितविग्रहः

Transliteration

kiṃ mamāsau raṇe yoddhuṃ śaktastrimayano 'sura ekākī dharmarahito bhasmāruṇitavigrahaḥ

Translation

「あの三つ目の者が、いかにして戦場で我と戦えるというのか、アスラよ。—ただ独り、ダルマを欠き、身は灰により赤く染まり／灰に覆われているのに。」

Speakers

• Andhaka addressing Prahlāda (as reported by Pulastya)

Primary Deities

• Shiva (three-eyed)

Key Themes

• Asuric arrogance and blasphemous speech
• Mischaracterization of Śiva’s ascetic marks (bhasma)
• Foreshadowing of downfall through adharma

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does Andhaka call Śiva ‘dharma-rahita’ when Śiva is a dharma-source in Purāṇas?

It is deliberate polemical insult born of arrogance. Purāṇic narratives often show that adharma begins with distorted perception and abusive speech toward the divine.

What is the significance of ‘bhasma’ in describing Śiva?

Bhasma is an ascetic and Śaiva marker signifying renunciation, impermanence, and spiritual power. Andhaka twists this sacred sign into a term of contempt, intensifying his offense.

Does ‘ekākī’ (alone) imply Śiva is vulnerable?

In the narrative logic, Andhaka assumes numerical advantage matters. Purāṇic theology counters this: divine śakti is not diminished by solitude; ‘alone’ can even signal self-sufficiency (svatantratā) and supreme potency.