Vamana Purana — Ritadhvaja Aids Galava, Shloka 9
Ritadhvaja’s Aid to Galava and Andhaka’s Infatuation with Gauri
स तं प्रगृह्यश्ववरं नरेन्द्रं ऋतध्वजं योज्य तदात्तशस्त्रम् स्थितस्तपस्येव ततो महर्षिर्दैत्यं समेत्य विशिखैर्नृपजो बिभेद // वम्प्_33.8 केनाम्बरतलाद् वाजी निसृष्टो वद सुव्रत वाक् कस्यादेहिनी जाता परं कौतूहलं मम
sa taṃ pragṛhyaśvavaraṃ narendraṃ ṛtadhvajaṃ yojya tadāttaśastram sthitastapasyeva tato maharṣirdaityaṃ sametya viśikhairnṛpajo bibheda // VamP_33.8 kenāmbaratalād vājī nisṛṣṭo vada suvrata vāk kasyādehinī jātā paraṃ kautūhalaṃ mama
Hinawakan ng dakilang rishi ang napakahusay na kabayo at ikinabit ito sa Haring Ṛtadhvaja na nakahawak na ng sandata. Matatag siyang tumayo na wari’y nasa tapas pa rin, hinarap ang Daitya; at ang anak ng hari ay tumusok sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng mga palaso. Pagkaraan ay may nagtanong: “Sino ang nagpalaya sa kabayong ito mula sa kalangitan? Ipagbigay-alam mo, O may mabuting panata. Kanino ang tinig na walang katawan? Tunay na dakila ang aking pag-uusisa.”
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FAQs
Ṛtadhvaja appears as a kṣatriya figure whose martial action is enabled by ascetic power and divine signs. The pairing reflects a common Purāṇic ideal: royal force (kṣatra) is most effective when aligned with brahmanical/ascetic tejas.
It suggests unwavering composure and concentrated spiritual force—an ascetic steadiness that can stabilize, empower, or ritually ‘authorize’ the ensuing violence, distinguishing it from mere rage or impulsive fighting.
This is a narrative hinge: the marvel (horse + oracle) demands attribution. The question cues the next passage to identify the divine or cosmic agent behind the intervention, and it also frames the episode as a revelation rather than a random miracle.