Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

ददृशाते परिम्लानसंशुष्ककुसुमं विभुम् बहुनिरमालल्यसंयुक्तं गते तस्मिन् ऋतध्वजे

Transliteration

dadṛśāte parimlānasaṃśuṣkakusumaṃ vibhum bahuniramālalyasaṃyuktaṃ gate tasmin ṛtadhvaje

Translation

ഋതധ്വജൻ പോയശേഷം അവർ ആ വിഭുവിനെ കണ്ടു; അവന്റെ പുഷ്പങ്ങൾ വാടിയും ഉണങ്ങിയും ഇരുന്നു, അനേകം പഴയ മാലകളും പുഷ്പാവശിഷ്ടങ്ങളും അവനെ മൂടിയിരുന്നു।

Speakers

• Narrative continuation by Daṇḍaka (implied from 39.1).

Primary Deities

• Shiva

Key Themes

• Temple/shrine condition as narrative signal
• Neglect vs. renewal of worship
• Pūjā materials (flowers, garlands, nirmālya)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What does the imagery of withered flowers and nirmālya suggest in Purāṇic narrative?

It commonly indicates lapse or interruption in regular worship (nitya-pūjā). The scene prepares for restoration through proper bathing and offerings, highlighting the merit of renewing a neglected shrine.

Is nirmālya considered impure or sacred?

Nirmālya is ritually 'leftover' from worship and is not reused as fresh offering, yet it remains sacred as deity-contact material; texts treat it with reverence and prescribe proper disposal or respectful handling.

Who is Ṛtadhvaja here?

The verse treats Ṛtadhvaja as a known figure from the immediately preceding story (likely a king/devotee). Without the surrounding passage, we can only note that his departure coincides with the shrine being seen in a neglected state.