Vamana Purana — Merit of Shravana Dvadashi, Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

ते धुन्धुना दानवेन्द्राः पृष्टाः प्रोचुर्वचो ऽधिपम् कर्म तन्न वयं विद्मः शुक्रस्तद् वेत्त्यसंशयम्

Transliteration

te dhundhunā dānavendrāḥ pṛṣṭāḥ procurvaco 'dhipam karma tanna vayaṃ vidmaḥ śukrastad vettyasaṃśayam

Translation

ధుంధూ అడిగినప్పుడు ఆ దానవేంద్రులు తమ అధిపతితో ఇలా అన్నారు: “ఆ కర్మ మాకు తెలియదు; శుక్రుడు దానిని నిస్సందేహంగా తెలుసు.”

Speakers

• Chief Dānavas responding to Dhundhu and addressing their adhipa (lord/king).

Primary Deities

• Shukra (Ushanas)

Key Themes

• Authority of the guru (Śukra)
• Transmission of ritual knowledge
• Asura polity and counsel

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who is Śukra in Purāṇic tradition, and why is he the authority here?

Śukra (also called Uśanas or Kāvya) is the preceptor (purohita/ācārya) of the Asuras/Dānavas, famed for mastery of ritual, polity, and esoteric knowledge (including life-restoring lore in some traditions). Hence, when a specialized ‘karma’ is queried, the Dānavas defer to him as the competent authority.

Who is Dhundhu in this passage?

The verse presents Dhundhu as the questioner (instrumental: dhundhunā). Without additional surrounding text, identification must remain local to this chapter’s narrative; he functions here as an inquirer prompting the Dānavas to consult Śukra.

What does ‘karma’ likely mean here—general action or a specific rite?

Given the immediate appeal to Śukra’s expertise and the next verse’s phrasing ‘kṛtvā’ (having done), ‘karma’ most naturally indicates a specific meritorious rite/observance (vrata, yajña, dāna, tīrtha-sevā, etc.), not merely generic action.