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

ऋतध्वज निघून गेल्यावर त्यांनी त्या विभूला पाहिले—ज्याची फुले कोमेजून व वाळून गेली होती आणि जो अनेक जुन्या माळा व पुष्पावशेषांनी आच्छादित होता।

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.