Vamana Purana — Merit of Shravana Dvadashi, Shloka 49

The Merit of Śravaṇa-Dvādaśī and the Liberation of a Preta through Gayā Piṇḍa-Rites

Devanagari script

शतं क्रतूनामिष्ट्वासौ ब्रह्मलोकं महासुरः अरोढुमिच्छति वशी विजेतुं त्रिदशानपि

Transliteration

śataṃ kratūnāmiṣṭvāsau brahmalokaṃ mahāsuraḥ aroḍhumicchati vaśī vijetuṃ tridaśānapi

Translation

{"scene_description": "Bali addresses the Lord: within His belly reside the seven oceans and mountains; He bears the three worlds—no one can bear Him.", "primary_figures": ["Vishnu (Trivikrama implied)", "Bali"], "setting": "Cosmic tableau: Vishnu’s torso as a universe-map with oceans and mountain ranges; Bali small in scale, emphasizing vastness.", "color_palette": ["ultramarine", "sea-green", "gold", "white"], "tanjore_prompt": "Tanjore style, monumental Vishnu with gold-leaf radiance, stylized seven oceans depicted as concentric bands within/around his abdomen, miniature mountains, Bali tiny at the feet, ornate temple frame, deep blues and gold.", "pahari_prompt": "Pahari miniature, airy composition, Vishnu towering with subtle cosmographic motifs, seven oceans as delicate wave bands, mountains as pastel ridges, Bali in reverent stance, soft clouds.", "kerala_mural_prompt": "Kerala mural, bold concentric ocean patterns, stylized mountains, Vishnu as cosmic pillar, Bali kneeling, saturated blues/greens with ochre highlights, temple mural symmetry.", "pattachitra_prompt": "Pattachitra, flat concentric circles for seven oceans, triangular mountain motifs, Vishnu central, Bali at side speaking, decorative borders with wave patterns, natural dyes."}

Word by Word

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Speakers

• Narrative voice summarizing Bali’s accumulated ritual merit and escalating aim

Primary Deities

• Devas (Tridasha)
• Brahma (Brahmaloka)
• Shukra (implicit as guiding priestly authority)

Key Themes

• Merit through sacrifice
• Ritual power and political domination
• Hubris/overreach
• Deva–Asura rivalry
• Cosmic hierarchy (Svarga vs Brahmaloka)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the meaning of ‘a hundred sacrifices’ in Purāṇic narrative logic?

It denotes an extraordinary accumulation of ritual merit and royal potency. ‘Śata-kratu’ is also an epithet of Indra; attributing ‘hundred sacrifices’ to an Asura implicitly challenges Indra’s paradigmatic status and signals a transfer/contest of sovereignty.

Who are the ‘Tridaśa’ and why emphasize ‘even’ them?

‘Tridaśa’ is a conventional collective term for the Devas. The particle ‘api’ (“even”) underscores Bali’s audacity: his ambition is not limited to earthly kingship but extends to defeating the established celestial order.

Does ‘ascending Brahmaloka’ indicate liberation (mokṣa)?

No. In this context it indicates conquest-oriented ascent to a higher realm, driven by power and dominion rather than renunciation. Purāṇic texts often distinguish such loka-attainment through merit from mokṣa, which transcends all lokas.