Vamana Purana — Merit of Shravana Dvadashi, Shloka 21

The Merit of Śravaṇa-Dvādaśī and the Liberation of a Preta through Gayā Piṇḍa-Rites

Devanagari script

इतः सहस्रैर्बहुयोजनाख्यैर्लोको महर्नाम महर्षिजुष्टः येषां हि दृष्ट्यार्ऽपणचोदितेन दह्यन्ति दैत्याः सहसेक्षितेन

Transliteration

itaḥ sahasrairbahuyojanākhyairloko maharnāma maharṣijuṣṭaḥ yeṣāṃ hi dṛṣṭyār'paṇacoditena dahyanti daityāḥ sahasekṣitena

Translation

From here, at a distance of many thousands of yojanas, lies the world called Maharloka, frequented by great sages. For, when their gaze is directed (toward an object), the Daityas are burned up by that sudden look.

Speakers

• Narrative voice describing the cosmic geography to contextualize the Daityas’ difficulty (implicit continuation of Daitya counsel)

Key Themes

• Cosmic geography (lokas)
• Ascetic power (tapas) of Maharṣis
• Protective potency of sages
• Distance measures (yojana)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is Maharloka in Purāṇic cosmology?

Maharloka is a higher realm above Bhuvarloka and below Janaloka in common Purāṇic schemata. It is associated with great sages (maharṣis) and sustained ascetic presence, functioning as a buffer zone between lower conflict-prone worlds and higher contemplative realms.

How should we understand ‘burned by the sages’ gaze’—literal fire or metaphor?

Purāṇas often present tapas as a real, efficacious energy. The ‘gaze’ signifies the directed force of ascetic power and spiritual authority; narratively it operates as a literal deterrent that can incinerate hostile beings.

Why mention ‘thousands of yojanas’ here?

The distance quantifies cosmic scale and emphasizes that access to higher lokas is not merely directional but requires extraordinary means. It also marks Maharloka as a distinct ‘geographical’ tier within the Purāṇa’s multi-level mapping of space.