Vamana Purana — Vishnu Slays Kalanemi, Shloka 17

Vishnu Enters the Deva–Asura War and Slays Kalanemi

Devanagari script

समारूढे सहस्राक्षे स्यन्दनं देवतागणः स्वं स्वं वाहनमारुह्य निश्चेरुर्युद्धकाङ्क्षिमः

Transliteration

samārūḍhe sahasrākṣe syandanaṃ devatāgaṇaḥ svaṃ svaṃ vāhanamāruhya niśceruryuddhakāṅkṣimaḥ

Translation

When the thousand-eyed one had mounted his chariot, the host of gods—each ascending his own vehicle—set forth, eager for battle.

Speakers

• Narrator voice describing the collective departure of the Devas

Primary Deities

• Indra (Śakra)
• Devatā-gaṇa (the Deva host)

Key Themes

• Collective divine mobilization
• Vāhana symbolism (each deity’s mount)
• Cosmic order defended through battle

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What does ‘sahasrākṣa’ signify beyond a poetic epithet?

It is a standard name of Indra, recalling his all-seeing vigilance and sovereignty; in battle scenes it emphasizes alertness and command over the divine host.

Why does the verse stress ‘each mounting his own vāhana’?

Vāhanas are identity-markers of deities (e.g., Garuḍa, Nandin, etc.). The phrase conveys a full muster: every deity assumes his distinctive power-symbol and readiness.

Is there any geographic/tīrtha layer to extract here, as often found in the Vāmana Purāṇa?

Not in these lines. They function as narrative connective tissue leading into combat; tīrtha geography typically appears when the text pauses to name rivers, kṣetras, forests, or pilgrimage merits.