Vamana Purana — Sarasvata Hymn to Vishnu, Shloka 17

The Sarasvata Hymn to Vishnu (Vishnu-Pañjara) and the Redemption of a Rakshasa

Devanagari script

चित्तवृत्तिहरा ये च ये जनाः स्मृतीहारकाः बलौजसां च हर्तारश्छायाविध्वंसकाश्च ये

Transliteration

cittavṛttiharā ye ca ye janāḥ smṛtīhārakāḥ balaujasāṃ ca hartāraśchāyāvidhvaṃsakāśca ye

Translation

{"scene_description": "Vishnu as Garuḍadhvaja, with banners symbolizing yajña and dharma; a sacrificial pavilion suggested with fire altar and priests at a distance.", "primary_figures": ["Vishnu (Garuḍadhvaja)", "Garuḍa (emblem/vehicle)", "Ritual priests (implied)"], "setting": "Sacrificial arena with vedi and sacred fire; banners rising behind the deity.", "color_palette": ["gold", "vermillion", "smoke gray", "deep blue", "turmeric yellow"], "tanjore_prompt": "Tanjore Vishnu with Garuḍa emblem on tall dhvaja, gold leaf radiance, yajña-vedi with sacred fire, priests in white, ornate temple-sculptural frame, rich reds and blues", "pahari_prompt": "Pahari miniature of a yajña pavilion, Vāmana/Vishnu presence implied as divine, banners labeled yajña/dharma, soft hills in background, delicate flames, serene heroism", "kerala_mural_prompt": "Kerala mural, Vishnu with Garuḍa-banner, bold fire altar motifs, strong outlines, saturated reds/yellows, temple mural symmetry", "pattachitra_prompt": "Pattachitra scroll scene with stylized yajña fire, dhvajas marked ‘yajña’ ‘dharma’ and Garuḍa emblem, flat iconic Vishnu, patterned borders, narrative clarity"}

Speakers

• Narrative voice within the chapter (likely a rishi’s instruction to a listener; exact interlocutors not provided in input)

Primary Deities

• Vishnu
• Vasudeva

Key Themes

• Raksha (protection) through divine remembrance
• Mental health and spiritual well-being
• Apotropaic (evil-averting) prayer
• Power of Vishnu’s protective agency

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who are the ‘cittavṛttiharāḥ’ and ‘smṛtihārakāḥ’ in Purāṇic idiom?

They denote harmful forces—often conceived as grahas, bhūtas, or malevolent beings—that disturb mental steadiness and cause forgetfulness or confusion. The verse frames these as ‘stealers’ of inner faculties rather than as ordinary human opponents.

What does ‘chāyā’ mean here beyond the literal ‘shadow’?

While literally ‘shadow,’ in many ritual and Purāṇic contexts chāyā can signify a person’s protective presence, auspiciousness, or subtle vitality. ‘Chāyā-vidhvaṃsaka’ thus points to forces believed to erode well-being, luck, or protective aura.

Why are strength (bala) and ojas paired?

Bala is physical/functional strength, while ojas is the refined vital essence associated with immunity, radiance, and resilience. Pairing them covers both gross and subtle vitality that a protective prayer seeks to safeguard.