Vamana Purana — Prahlada's Instructions to Bali, Shloka 49

Prahlada’s Instructions to Bali on Vishnu Worship, Monthly Gifts, and Building Hari’s Temple

Devanagari script

कारिताश्च महामञ्चाधिष्ठिताः कुशलैर्जनैः पौरोगवविधानज्ञै रत्नसंस्कारिभिर्द्दढै

Transliteration

kāritāśca mahāmañcādhiṣṭhitāḥ kuśalairjanaiḥ paurogavavidhānajñai ratnasaṃskāribhirddaḍhai

Translation

And there were great platforms/pavilions constructed and set up by skilled people—those who knew the proper ritual arrangements (as officiants) and who were expert in firm, gem-like finishing and ornamentation.

Speakers

• Unspecified in the provided excerpt (descriptive narration within the chapter).

Key Themes

• Pilgrimage infrastructure
• Ritual propriety (vidhāna)
• Patronage and temple/tirtha maintenance

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What are ‘mahā-mañca’ in a tīrtha context?

Mahā-mañca commonly denotes raised platforms used for assemblies, recitation, ritual seating, or distribution of gifts/food. In tīrtha settings, such structures support public worship, teaching, and organized charity during festivals or pilgrim seasons.

Who are ‘paurogava-vidhāna-jña’ people?

The phrase points to those trained in priestly/ritual administration—knowing correct vidhāna (procedures): how to arrange worship spaces, timings, offerings, and ceremonial order so that rites at the sacred site are performed according to tradition.

Why mention ‘ratna-saṃskāra’ (gem-like finishing) in a Purāṇa?

It signals both excellence of patronage and the ideal of honoring the sacred with durable, refined workmanship. In māhātmya literature, such details elevate the tīrtha’s prestige and implicitly recommend endowments for construction and beautification.