Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 73

Shukra’s Curse on King Danda and Andhaka’s Challenge to Shiva

Devanagari script

इत्युक्त्वा संपरिष्वज्य नृपं धमनिसंततम् समारोप्य रथं तूर्णं तापसाभ्यां न्यवेदयत्

Transliteration

ityuktvā saṃpariṣvajya nṛpaṃ dhamanisaṃtatam samāropya rathaṃ tūrṇaṃ tāpasābhyāṃ nyavedayat

Translation

ଏପରି କହି, ଶିରା ଟାଣି ହୋଇଥିବା ସେ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ ଆଲିଙ୍ଗନ କରି, ଶୀଘ୍ର ରଥରେ ଚଢ଼ାଇ, ଦୁଇ ତପସ୍ବୀଙ୍କ ହସ୍ତେ ସମର୍ପଣ କଲେ।

Speakers

• Narrative voice describing the rājarṣi’s actions toward the king; ascetics as attendants

Primary Deities

• Vishnu

Key Themes

• Compassionate kingship
• Ascetic support in royal affairs
• Care for the afflicted
• Swift ritual/narrative transition (movement by chariot)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What does “dhamanisaṃtata” convey about the king’s condition?

It suggests a body under strain—veins/arteries ‘stretched’—a Purāṇic idiom for severe distress, weakness, or a life-threatening state. It motivates the urgency of placing him on a chariot and arranging care.

Why are “two ascetics” (tāpasābhyām) involved?

Ascetics often function as trusted custodians, healers, guides, or witnesses. Entrusting the king to them signals both practical care and moral-spiritual safeguarding during transit or a critical episode.

Is there any tirtha/geographical marker here?

Not in these three verses. The action is transitional (movement by chariot). In the Vāmana Purāṇa, such transitions commonly precede arrival at a named tīrtha/forest/river in subsequent verses, where the geography becomes explicit.