Vamana Purana — Slaying of Raktabija, Shloka 46
The Slaying of Raktabīja and Niśumbha–Śumbha; the Manifestation of the Mātṛkās and the Devas’ Hymn
तस्मिन्नपतिते रौद्रे सुरशत्रौ भयङ्करे चण्डाद्य मातरो हृष्टाश्चक्रुः किलकिलाध्वनिम्
tasminnapatite raudre suraśatrau bhayaṅkare caṇḍādya mātaro hṛṣṭāścakruḥ kilakilādhvanim
{"has_teaching": true, "teaching_type": "jnana", "core_concept": "Non-dual functional identity of Devī with multiple śaktis (Brahmāṇī, Mṛḍānī, Vaiṣṇavī, Aindrī, etc.): one power appearing as many for cosmic governance and protection.", "teaching_summary": "The Goddess is declared to be the very śakti of major deities (Brahmā, Śiva, Viṣṇu, Indra, Skanda) and also the Yoginī who grants yogasiddhi—integrating Purāṇic devotion with Tantric power-theology.", "vedantic_theme": "Eka-śakti as the operative power (māyā/śakti) behind diverse divine functions; unity-in-multiplicity at the level of saguṇa manifestation.", "practical_application": "Contemplate each epithet as a facet of one refuge; for sādhakas, employ as nyāsa/āvāhana-style recitation before worship or protection rites."}
{ "primaryRasa": "vira", "secondaryRasa": "adbhuta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }
FAQs
They are the Mātṛkās—fierce, protective mother-goddesses who appear in Purāṇic battle scenes as Śakti-forces assisting the gods (often aligned with Śiva/Devī). The phrase “Caṇḍādyāḥ” signals a list beginning with a fierce form, emphasizing their terrifying, martial nature.
It denotes a sharp, ululating victory-cry (often associated with goddesses and warrior retinues). It marks the turning point of battle—public confirmation that the fearsome foe has been brought down.
No. Unlike the Vāmana Purāṇa’s many geography/tīrtha passages, this śloka is purely narrative and contains no explicit toponyms.