Vamana Purana — Sarasvata Hymn to Vishnu, Shloka 16

The Sarasvata Hymn to Vishnu (Vishnu-Pañjara) and the Redemption of a Rakshasa

Devanagari script

सिंहादयो ये पशवो दन्दशूकाश्च पन्नगाः सर्वे भवन्तु मे सौम्या विष्णुचक्ररवाहताः

Transliteration

siṃhādayo ye paśavo dandaśūkāśca pannagāḥ sarve bhavantu me saumyā viṣṇucakraravāhatāḥ

Translation

सिंहादयः पशवो दंशशूकाः पन्नगाश्च सर्वे मे सौम्याः भवन्तु, विष्णुचक्ररवप्रभावेणाभिभूताः।

Speakers

• Narrator/ritual voice seeking safety from animals and venomous beings during sacred travel/ritual

Primary Deities

• Vishnu

Key Themes

• Sudarśana as apotropaic power
• Protection from wild animals and venom
• Pilgrimage security
• Divine sound/tejas as deterrent

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is meant by ‘Viṣṇu-cakra’ here?

It refers to Sudarśana, Viṣṇu’s discus, a personified and impersonal symbol of divine sovereignty that destroys obstacles and protects devotees; its ‘rava’ (resounding presence) is imagined as enough to subdue threats.

Why are animals and serpents included in a religious verse?

Tīrtha travel in Purāṇic settings often passes through forests, riverbanks, and wild tracts. The verse functions as a protective charm ensuring non-violence from predators and venomous beings, aligning pilgrimage with auspiciousness (śubha) and safety (abhaya).

How should ‘daṃdaśūka’ be understood—snakes only or broader?

The term literally means ‘biter’ and can be broader than snakes: it may include scorpions, poisonous insects, and other biting/venomous creatures. The verse then separately names ‘pannaga’ to ensure serpents are explicitly covered.