Vamana Purana — Vishnu Slays Kalanemi, Shloka 31

Vishnu Enters the Deva–Asura War and Slays Kalanemi

Devanagari script

शान्ते रजसि देवाद्यास्तद् दानवबलं महत् अभिद्रवन्ति सहिताः समं स्कन्देन धीमता

Transliteration

śānte rajasi devādyāstad dānavabalaṃ mahat abhidravanti sahitāḥ samaṃ skandena dhīmatā

Translation

When the dust had settled, the gods and the other divine beings together charged upon that great host of Dānavas, in concert with the wise Skanda.

Speakers

• Narratorial voice (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle sequence.

Primary Deities

• Skanda (Kumāra/Kārttikeya)
• Devas (collective)

Key Themes

• Divine counter-attack
• Skanda as senāpati (commander)
• Battle rhythm (dust settles → renewed assault)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who is “Skanda” here, and why is he central to the assault?

Skanda is Kumāra/Kārttikeya, widely portrayed as the devas’ senāpati (general). His presence signals organized divine strategy rather than chaotic melee.

What is implied by “devādyāḥ” (the gods and others)?

The term typically includes the principal devas along with allied divine classes (e.g., gaṇas, siddhas, or other celestial supporters), indicating a coalition rather than a single deity’s action.

Does “śānte rajasi” have symbolic meaning beyond a literal battlefield detail?

Yes. Literally it marks visibility returning after dust clouds; narratively it functions as a transition cue—after confusion, the devas regroup and mount a coordinated charge.