Vamana Purana — Shukra's Samjivani, Shloka 68

Shukra’s Saṃjīvanī, Shiva’s Containment of the Asuras, and Indra’s Recovery of Power

Devanagari script

ततस्तु देवैः सगणैः दानवाः शर्वपालितैः पराजीयन्त संग्रामे भूयो भूयस्त्वहर्निशम्

Transliteration

tatastu devaiḥ sagaṇaiḥ dānavāḥ śarvapālitaiḥ parājīyanta saṃgrāme bhūyo bhūyastvaharniśam

Translation

Kemudian para Dānava, walaupun dilindungi oleh Śarva (Śiva), berulang kali ditewaskan dalam peperangan oleh para Deva bersama bala pengiring mereka—sekali demi sekali, siang dan malam.

Speakers

• Narrator voice (Purāṇic narrator) describing events to the listening sage/audience (contextual frame not explicit in the verse).

Primary Deities

• Śiva (Śarva)
• Devas (collective)

Key Themes

• Deva–Asura conflict
• Divine protection and fate
• War as a cosmic balancing act

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "vira", "secondaryRasa": "raudra", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Why are the Dānavas said to be ‘protected by Śarva’ if they are still defeated?

The verse highlights a common Purāṇic tension: even with a great deity’s patronage, adharmic forces can be checked by the collective power of the Devas and by cosmic order (ṛta/dharma). Śiva’s ‘protection’ may indicate boons, strategic support, or prior alliance, not an absolute guarantee of victory.

Does ‘sagaṇaiḥ’ refer to Śiva’s gaṇas or the Devas’ attendants?

Grammatically it qualifies ‘devaiḥ’: the Devas fight ‘with their gaṇas’ (attendant hosts). Śiva’s association is separately marked by ‘śarva-pālitaiḥ’ describing the Dānavas.

How does this verse fit the Andhaka cycle?

It sets the battlefield pressure that leads to intensified worship, vows, and divine interventions—typical narrative steps before a decisive manifestation of Śiva or a turning point in Andhaka-related episodes.