Vamana Purana — Andhaka's Defeat & Redemption, Shloka 53

Andhaka’s Defeat, the Bhairava Manifestation, and His Redemption as Bhṛṅgī Gaṇapati

Devanagari script

जयस्व सर्वेश्वर विश्वमूर्त्ते सुरासुरैर्वन्दितपादपीठ त्रैलोक्यमातुर्गुरवे वृषाङ्क भीतः शरण्यं शरणागतो ऽस्मि

Transliteration

jayasva sarveśvara viśvamūrtte surāsurairvanditapādapīṭha trailokyamāturgurave vṛṣāṅka bhītaḥ śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇāgato 'smi

Translation

Be victorious, O Lord of all, O One whose form is the universe, whose footstool is worshipped by gods and demons alike. O teacher of the Mother of the three worlds, O Bull-marked One (Śiva): in fear I have come for refuge to you, the Refuge of all.

Speakers

• A devotee/supplicant (voice of the narrative) addressing Śiva (Mahādeva).

Primary Deities

• Śiva
• Devī/Pārvatī (implied by ‘trailokyamātṛ’)

Key Themes

• Śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge)
• Śiva’s cosmic sovereignty (Viśvamūrti)
• Universality of worship (devas and asuras)
• Stuti as a means of protection

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does the hymn say Śiva is worshipped by both devas and asuras?

Purāṇic stutis often stress the Lord’s impartial supremacy: even opposing cosmic factions acknowledge the same ultimate power. This frames Śiva as transcending sectarian or factional boundaries.

Who is ‘trailokyamātṛ’ (Mother of the three worlds) here?

Most naturally it points to Devī/Pārvatī, widely praised as the mother of the worlds. Calling Śiva her ‘guru’ intensifies his status as the highest principle and teacher even to the cosmic mother.

What is the theological force of ‘pāda-pīṭha’ (footstool) in this verse?

The foot/footstool imagery is a standard marker of śaraṇāgati: the devotee seeks safety at the Lord’s feet, implying surrender, humility, and the Lord’s role as ultimate protector.