Vamana Purana — Vishnu Slays Kalanemi, Shloka 39

Vishnu Enters the Deva–Asura War and Slays Kalanemi

Devanagari script

तं दृष्ट्वा वर्द्धमानं रिपमतिबलिनं देवगन्धर्वमुख्याः सिद्धाःसाध्याश्विमुख्या भयतरलदृशः प्राद्रवन् दिक्षु सर्वे पोप्लूयन्तश्च दैत्या हरिममरगणैरर्चितं चारुमौलिं नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपातैर्विगलितयशसंचक्रुरुत्सिक्तदर्पाः

Transliteration

taṃ dṛṣṭvā varddhamānaṃ ripamatibalinaṃ devagandharvamukhyāḥ siddhāḥsādhyāśvimukhyā bhayataraladṛśaḥ prādravan dikṣu sarve poplūyantaśca daityā harimamaragaṇairarcitaṃ cārumauliṃ nānāśastrāstrapātairvigalitayaśasaṃcakrurutsiktadarpāḥ

Translation

Rāgiṇī (also identified as Jāyaśrī) speaking to Bali (dānava-pati)

Speakers

• Narrator (Purāṇic sūta-style narration) describing the battle scene to the listening sages (exact interlocutors not specified in the provided excerpt).

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Hari)
• Devas (Amaras)
• Gandharvas
• Siddhas
• Sadhyas
• Ashvins

Key Themes

• Deva–Asura conflict
• Divine kingship and invincibility of Hari
• Pride (darpa) leading to aggression
• Celestial hosts as witnesses
• Stuti-by-action (worship of Hari amid battle)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why do Devas and allied celestial beings flee if Hari is present?

The verse emphasizes the overwhelming, swelling momentum of the opposing force (“varddhamānaṃ ripum ati-balinaṃ”). Even when Viṣṇu is the ultimate protector, Purāṇic battle-narratives often depict initial panic among celestial hosts to heighten dramatic tension and to foreground Viṣṇu’s decisive intervention.

What is implied by ‘amara-gaṇair arcitaṃ cāru-mauliṃ’?

Hari’s ‘beautiful crown’ being worshipped by the immortals signals his sovereign status: even in warfare he remains the object of reverence. The image also contrasts devotional honor (arcana) with the Daityas’ weapon-shower, framing the conflict as dharma versus arrogant force.

What does ‘vigalita-yaśasaṃ cakruḥ’ convey about the Daityas’ intent?

It indicates an attempt to diminish Viṣṇu’s manifest splendor and reputation through sheer martial display. In Purāṇic idiom, such attempts are ultimately futile, and the phrase foreshadows the Daityas’ impending humiliation when divine power is revealed.