Vamana Purana — Vishnu Slays Kalanemi, Shloka 35

Vishnu Enters the Deva–Asura War and Slays Kalanemi

Devanagari script

ते विष्णुना हन्यमानाः पतत्त्रिभिरयोमुखैः दैतेयाः शरणं जग्मुः कालनेमिं महासुराम्

Transliteration

te viṣṇunā hanyamānāḥ patattribhirayomukhaiḥ daiteyāḥ śaraṇaṃ jagmuḥ kālanemiṃ mahāsurām

Translation

विष्णुना पतत्त्रिभिरयोमुखैर्बाणैः हन्यमानाः दैतेयाः कालनेमिं महासुरं शरणं जग्मुः।

Speakers

• Narrator (Purāṇic sage) to Nārada.

Primary Deities

• Viṣṇu (Hari)

Key Themes

• Asuras’ retreat and seeking protection
• Hierarchy among Asuras (Kālanemi as refuge/leader)
• Weapon imagery (iron-tipped, feathered arrows)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who is Kālanemi in Purāṇic tradition, and why do the Daityas flee to him?

Kālanemi is portrayed across Purāṇic corpora as a powerful Asura figure (often a strategist or leader). Here he functions as a rallying refuge—indicating an Asura command structure where lesser Daityas regroup under a major champion when routed.

What is the significance of describing arrows as ‘patattri’ and ‘ayo-mukha’?

‘Patattri’ (winged/feathered) highlights speed and accuracy; ‘ayo-mukha’ (iron-pointed) emphasizes lethality and inevitability. Together they intensify the depiction of Viṣṇu’s overwhelming martial efficacy.

Is there any geographic/tīrtha layer embedded in this verse?

Not in this śloka. It is a battlefield transition marker—moving the plot from open combat to the Asuras’ regrouping under Kālanemi—without naming a specific sacred locale.