Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 70

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

Devanagari script

परिपृच्छसि शोकार्तं परिखिन्नं तपोन्वितम् स प्राह राजास्मि विभो तपस्विन् शाकले पुरे

Transliteration

paripṛcchasi śokārtaṃ parikhinnaṃ taponvitam sa prāha rājāsmi vibho tapasvin śākale pure

Translation

“Perguntas a alguém aflito de tristeza, exausto, e contudo dotado de austeridade.” Ele disse: “Ó venerável asceta, sou um rei na cidade de Śākala.”

Speakers

• The tapasvin speaks about his sorrowful state; King Indradyumna replies
• identifying himself to the ascetic.

Key Themes

• Grief as a catalyst for spiritual inquiry
• Identity and legitimacy in sacred dialogue
• Interplay of kingship and ascetic authority

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is Śākala, and why is it important geographically?

Śākala is a well-known ancient city associated with the northwestern cultural sphere (often linked with the Madra region in broader Sanskrit literature). Its mention situates the narrative’s human actors within a recognizable political-geographic map.

How can someone be both “śokārta” (grief-stricken) and “taponvita” (austerity-endowed)?

Purāṇic psychology allows grief to coexist with discipline: sorrow may drive one toward vows, pilgrimage, or tapas, transforming personal suffering into a spiritual pursuit.

Does “vibho” here indicate a deity?

Not necessarily. In many passages it functions as an honorific (“O venerable/mighty one”) addressed to a respected person such as an ascetic; deity-reference depends on surrounding verses and narrative frame.