Vamana Purana — Sarasvata Hymn to Vishnu, Shloka 17

The Sarasvata Hymn to Vishnu (Vishnu-Pañjara) and the Redemption of a Rakshasa

Devanagari script

चित्तवृत्तिहरा ये च ये जनाः स्मृतीहारकाः बलौजसां च हर्तारश्छायाविध्वंसकाश्च ये

Transliteration

cittavṛttiharā ye ca ye janāḥ smṛtīhārakāḥ balaujasāṃ ca hartāraśchāyāvidhvaṃsakāśca ye

Translation

[{"question": "Who/what are the Kūṣmāṇḍas in this verse?", "answer": "Kūṣmāṇḍas are portrayed as harmful entities that afflict humans—especially by disrupting prosperity, health, or auspicious signs. The verse treats them as a specific named class of malevolent beings to be repelled."}, {"question": "What is meant by ‘the roar of Vishnu’s discus’?", "answer": "It is a poetic way to invoke Sudarśana’s irresistible, purifying force. The ‘sound/roar’ (rava) signifies the discus’s cosmic authority—its mere manifestation is enough to scatter hostile forces."}, {"question": "Why mention ‘lakṣaṇa-nāśakāḥ’ (destroyers of signs)?", "answer": "In Purāṇic and ritual culture, auspicious bodily/fortune signs (lakṣaṇas) indicate protection and prosperity. Their ‘destruction’ implies loss of fortune, health, or social-spiritual standing; hence they are singled out for expulsion."}]

Speakers

• Narrative voice within the chapter (likely a rishi’s instruction to a listener; exact interlocutors not provided in input)

Primary Deities

• Vishnu
• Vasudeva

Key Themes

• Raksha (protection) through divine remembrance
• Mental health and spiritual well-being
• Apotropaic (evil-averting) prayer
• Power of Vishnu’s protective agency

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who are the ‘cittavṛttiharāḥ’ and ‘smṛtihārakāḥ’ in Purāṇic idiom?

They denote harmful forces—often conceived as grahas, bhūtas, or malevolent beings—that disturb mental steadiness and cause forgetfulness or confusion. The verse frames these as ‘stealers’ of inner faculties rather than as ordinary human opponents.

What does ‘chāyā’ mean here beyond the literal ‘shadow’?

While literally ‘shadow,’ in many ritual and Purāṇic contexts chāyā can signify a person’s protective presence, auspiciousness, or subtle vitality. ‘Chāyā-vidhvaṃsaka’ thus points to forces believed to erode well-being, luck, or protective aura.

Why are strength (bala) and ojas paired?

Bala is physical/functional strength, while ojas is the refined vital essence associated with immunity, radiance, and resilience. Pairing them covers both gross and subtle vitality that a protective prayer seeks to safeguard.