Vamana Purana — Vishnu Slays Kalanemi, Shloka 36

Vishnu Enters the Deva–Asura War and Slays Kalanemi

Devanagari script

तेभ्यः स चाभयं दत्त्वा ज्ञात्वाजेयं च माधवम् विवृद्धिमगमद् ब्रह्मन् यथा व्याधिरुपेक्षितः

Transliteration

tebhyaḥ sa cābhayaṃ dattvā jñātvājeyaṃ ca mādhavam vivṛddhimagamad brahman yathā vyādhirupekṣitaḥ

Translation

അവർക്കു അഭയം നൽകി, മാധവൻ അജേയനെന്നു അറിഞ്ഞിട്ടും, ഹേ ബ്രാഹ്മണാ, അവൻ അവഗണിക്കപ്പെട്ട രോഗംപോലെ കൂടുതൽ വളർന്നു।

Speakers

• Narrator (traditional frame in this section: a sage narrator addressing a Brāhmaṇa interlocutor; commonly Pulastya-to-Nārada style in Purāṇic narration)

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Mādhava)

Key Themes

• Inevitability of Viṣṇu’s supremacy (ajeyatva)
• Asuric pride and escalation
• Moral psychology: unchecked fault grows like disease

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does the verse compare Bali’s state to a ‘neglected disease’?

The simile signals a Purāṇic moral diagnosis: when arrogance or anger is not restrained by discernment (viveka) and dharma, it does not subside by itself; it proliferates, just as an untreated illness spreads through the body.

If Bali knows Mādhava is ‘unconquerable,’ why does he still intensify his opposition?

The narrative highlights the asuric pattern of tamas and rajas: knowledge (jñāna) can be overridden by passion and pride. Bali’s recognition of Viṣṇu’s invincibility does not immediately translate into surrender; instead it provokes a desperate, escalating reaction.

What is the function of ‘abhaya’ here?

Granting ‘abhaya’ (assurance of safety) to his own side underscores Bali’s role as a commander-king rallying allies. It also heightens the contrast: even after securing morale, the deeper problem—unchecked hostility toward the divine order—continues to grow.