Vamana Purana — Sarasvata Hymn to Vishnu, Shloka 55

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

Devanagari script

पुलस्त्य उवाच एवमुक्तो मुनिसुतस्तेन घोरेम रक्षसा चिन्तामवाप महतीमशक्तस्तदुदीरणे

Transliteration

pulastya uvāca evamukto munisutastena ghorema rakṣasā cintāmavāpa mahatīmaśaktastadudīraṇe

Translation

புலஸ்த்யர் கூறினார்—அந்தக் கொடிய ராக்ஷசன் இவ்வாறு சொன்னபோது, முனிவின் மகன் பெரும் கவலையில் ஆழ்ந்தான்; அந்த வேண்டுகோளுக்கு பதில் சொல்ல இயலவில்லை।

Speakers

• Pulastya speaking (narrator) to his listener (commonly Nārada in Purāṇic dialogue frames; not explicit in the given verse).

Key Themes

• Rishi-narration
• Moral dilemma
• Helplessness before adharma
• Narrative tension preceding divine refuge

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who is Pulastya here, and why is his voice important?

Pulastya is one of the ancient mind-born sages (mānasa-putras of Brahmā) and a standard Purāṇic authority-figure. His narration lends scriptural weight to the tīrtha account and frames the episode as exemplary rather than merely anecdotal.

What does “aśaktas tadudīraṇe” most naturally mean?

It most naturally conveys that the muni’s son was unable to produce a response—either because he was speechless with fear or because he could not comply with/affirm the rākṣasa’s demanded condition. The phrase highlights paralysis before imminent violence.

How does this verse function within a tīrtha-mahātmya?

It sets up the turning point: when human capacity fails, the narrative typically moves toward śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) and the tīrtha’s associated divine power, thereby demonstrating the site’s salvific reputation.