Vamana Purana — Shukra's Samjivani, Shloka 76

Shukra’s Saṃjīvanī, Shiva’s Containment of the Asuras, and Indra’s Recovery of Power

Devanagari script

स्वबलं निर्जितं दृष्ट्वा मत्वाजेयं च शङ्कम् अन्धकः सुन्दमाहूय इदं वचनमब्रीत्

Transliteration

svabalaṃ nirjitaṃ dṛṣṭvā matvājeyaṃ ca śaṅkam andhakaḥ sundamāhūya idaṃ vacanamabrīt

Translation

తన బలము ఓడిపోయినదిగా చూచి, శఙ్కుడు అజేయుడని భావించి, అంధకుడు సుందను పిలిపించి ఈ మాటలు పలికెను।

Speakers

• Narratorial voice leading into Andhaka’s direct speech (Andhaka to Sunda).

Primary Deities

• Shiva

Key Themes

• Turning point after defeat
• Recognition of divine invincibility
• Daitya strategy/counsel motif
• Foreshadowing of ensuing speech and tactics

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who is ‘Sunda’ and why is he summoned?

Sunda is a prominent daitya figure used in Purāṇic battle narratives as a commander or confidant. Summoning him signals a shift from direct combat to counsel—planning, regrouping, or deploying special means after a rout.

What does calling the opponent ‘ajeya’ (unconquerable) accomplish narratively?

It heightens the theological and dramatic stakes: the daitya leader recognizes that ordinary force cannot prevail, preparing the audience for either extraordinary stratagems, boons/curses, or the inevitability of divine victory.

Is ‘Śaṅka’ definitely Śiva here?

The immediate prior verses emphasize ‘tri-netra’ (the Three-eyed), strongly pointing to Śiva’s presence. ‘Śaṅka’ in this line most plausibly refers to that same invincible Śaiva adversary, though exact identification can vary by manuscript tradition and local epithet usage.