Vamana Purana — Prahlada at Kurukshetra, Shloka 32

Origin of the Chakra-Trishula Exchange

Devanagari script

तं समभ्यर्च्च विधिवद् दत्त्वा दानं द्विजातिषु विस्तुते हिमवत्पादे भृगुतुङ्गं जगाम सः

Transliteration

taṃ samabhyarcca vidhivad dattvā dānaṃ dvijātiṣu vistute himavatpāde bhṛgutuṅgaṃ jagāma saḥ

Translation

[{"question": "Why is “saṅgama-toya” (confluence-water) specified for the gift?", "answer": "In Purāṇic tīrtha-culture, water from a saṅgama is ritually potent and functions as a sanctifying medium. Mentioning it signals that the donation is not merely material but is performed with tīrtha-sanctity, enhancing its dharmic merit."}, {"question": "What is the significance of gifting an umbrella and footwear along with a vessel?", "answer": "Chatra (umbrella) and upānaha (footwear) are classic items of respectful hospitality and protection for a traveler/ascetic—shielding from sun/heat and rough ground. Their inclusion frames the act as complete care for the recipient’s bodily needs."}, {"question": "Does “vāridhānī” imply a specific ritual object?", "answer": "It commonly denotes a practical water-container (pitcher/pot). In dāna-lists it can function as a standard ‘water-gift’ (udaka-related dāna), often paired with cloth covering, indicating cleanliness, honor, and readiness for use."}]

Speakers

• Narratorial voice; the pilgrim/actor continues the itinerary.

Primary Deities

• Shiva
• Vishnu

Key Themes

• Dana (charity)
• Brāhmaṇa-honoring rites
• Pilgrimage itinerary mapping
• Ritual correctness (vidhi)
• Merit accumulation through worship + giving

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why is dāna to ‘dvijāti’ highlighted in a tīrtha narrative?

Purāṇic tīrtha-mahātmyas routinely pair sacred bathing/worship with dāna: giving to brāhmaṇas is presented as a concrete dharmic act that ‘stabilizes’ the merit (puṇya) gained from pilgrimage and austerity.

What is Bhṛgutuṅga in geographical terms?

Bhṛgutuṅga is presented as a named sacred height/peak (tuṅga) linked to the sage Bhṛgu, functioning as a waypoint in the Himalayan sacred geography. Such peaks often serve as loci for āśramas, tapas, and tīrthas in Purāṇic mapping.

Does ‘vistute’ mean he was praised, or that he offered praise?

Both are grammatically plausible depending on recension and sandhi: it can mean ‘he, being renowned/praised at Himavat’s foot,’ or ‘having offered praise there.’ Either way, the verse emphasizes reputation/merit or stuti as part of the pilgrimage protocol.