Vamana Purana — Nakshatra-Purusha Vrata, Shloka 18

The Nakshatra-Purusha Vrata: Worship of Vishnu’s Body as the Constellations

Devanagari script

तं मृगौः पिक्षिक्षिश्चैव हीनं दृष्ट्वा शमीतरुम् / श्रान्तः क्षुत्तृट्परीतात्मा तस्याधः समुपाविशत्

Transliteration

taṃ mṛgauḥ pikṣikṣiścaiva hīnaṃ dṛṣṭvā śamītarum / śrāntaḥ kṣuttṛṭparītātmā tasyādhaḥ samupāviśat

Translation

मृग व पक्ष्यांनी वेढलेला, जणू निराधार असा तो शमीवृक्ष पाहून, थकलेला व भूक-तहानाने व्याकुळ झालेला तो त्याच्या खाली बसला।

Speakers

• Primary narrator (contextually Pulastya) to Nārada.

Key Themes

• Pilgrimage fatigue (kṣut-tṛṭ)
• Seeking refuge in sacred nature
• Forest ecology as narrative geography
• Solitude preceding supernatural encounter

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the narrative function of mentioning deer and birds around the tree?

It establishes the tree as a living refuge within the wilderness—an ecological ‘oasis’—and heightens contrast with the later approach of pretas. The scene moves from natural life (mṛga/pakṣi) to unnatural deathly presence (preta-gaṇa).

How should ‘hīnaṃ’ be understood here?

In context it most naturally conveys solitude or lack—he is without support, provisions, or companions. It underscores vulnerability, making the subsequent supernatural event more dramatic.

Is sitting under the tree merely practical, or ritually meaningful?

Both. Practically, it is rest and shade; ritually, sacred trees often function as liminal points where unseen forces become perceptible. Purāṇic tīrtha narratives frequently use such pauses to transition into revelation, warning, or merit-teaching.