Vamana Purana — Shukra's Samjivani, Shloka 90

Shukra’s Saṃjīvanī, Shiva’s Containment of the Asuras, and Indra’s Recovery of Power

Devanagari script

अन्वियेष ततो ब्रह्मन्नोभौ पार्श्वस्थितौ वृषौ सा ज्ञात्वा दानवं रौद्रं मायाच्छादितविग्रह्म्

Transliteration

anviyeṣa tato brahmannobhau pārśvasthitau vṛṣau sā jñātvā dānavaṃ raudraṃ māyācchāditavigrahm

Translation

Then, O Brāhmaṇa, she searched (and examined) the two bulls standing at the sides. Having understood (the truth), she recognized the fierce Dānava whose body was concealed by illusion.

Speakers

• Narrator to the listener addressed as ‘brahman’

Primary Deities

• Shiva

Key Themes

• Māyā (illusion) and discernment
• Demonic disguise
• Iconographic verification (bulls of Śiva)
• Protection of Devī/Śiva’s sphere

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the significance of ‘the two bulls standing at the sides’?

The bull is Śiva’s primary emblem (Nandin and the vṛṣa-dhvaja motif). Mentioning two bulls flanking suggests a deliberate ‘test’ of authenticity: the goddess inspects Śaiva insignia to detect an intruder masked by māyā.

Who is the ‘fierce Dānava’ concealed by illusion?

Within the Andhaka-cycle, the principal Dānava is Andhaka (often portrayed as using deception). The verse’s language—‘māyācchāditavigraha’—fits the trope of a demon assuming or hiding behind forms to approach the divine sphere.

Does this verse imply that māyā can deceive even in Śiva’s presence?

It implies māyā can be deployed as an attempted intrusion, but it is not ultimately successful: the goddess ‘jñātvā’ (having known) detects the concealed demon. The doctrinal emphasis is on divine discernment overcoming illusion.