Vamana Purana — Harihara Non-Duality, Shloka 20

Harihara Non-Duality and the Revelation of Sadasiva to the Ganas

Devanagari script

महापाशुपतान् दृष्ट्वा समुत्थाय महेश्वरः संपरिष्वजताध्यक्षांस्ते प्रणेमुर्महेश्वरम्

Transliteration

mahāpāśupatān dṛṣṭvā samutthāya maheśvaraḥ saṃpariṣvajatādhyakṣāṃste praṇemurmaheśvaram

Translation

മഹാപാശുപതന്മാരെ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ മഹേശ്വരൻ എഴുന്നേറ്റ് അവരുടെ നേതാവിനെ ആലിംഗനം ചെയ്തു; അവർ മഹേശ്വരനെ നമസ്കരിച്ചു.

Speakers

• Narrator (Purāṇic voice) describing events; no direct speech in this verse

Primary Deities

• Śiva (Maheśvara)

Key Themes

• Śaiva community and observance (Pāśupata)
• Divine hospitality and recognition
• Hierarchy and devotion (praṇāma to Śiva)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who are the “Mahāpāśupatas” in this context?

They are eminent followers of the Pāśupata Śaiva discipline—ascetic-devotional practitioners associated with Śiva’s cultic tradition—portrayed here as worthy of direct recognition by Maheśvara.

Why does Śiva ‘rise and embrace’ their leader—what does it signify?

The gesture marks honor and intimacy: Śiva acknowledges the legitimacy and spiritual stature of the Pāśupata path, and the embrace functions as a narrative sign of divine approval.

What is the ritual-theological contrast implied by ‘embrace’ and ‘prostration’ in the same verse?

It juxtaposes divine grace (Śiva’s welcoming embrace) with devotee humility (their praṇāma), expressing reciprocal relationship: the Lord uplifts, the devotees submit.