Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 59

Shukra’s Curse on King Danda and Andhaka’s Challenge to Shiva

Devanagari script

सम्यक् संपूजितस्तेन सजाबालिरृतध्वजः स चेक्ष्वाकुसुतो धीमान् शकुनिर्भ्रातृजोर्चितः

Transliteration

samyak saṃpūjitastena sajābālirṛtadhvajaḥ sa cekṣvākusuto dhīmān śakunirbhrātṛjorcitaḥ

Translation

Matapos siyang parangalan at sambahin nang wasto ng hari, naroon si Ṛtadhvaja kasama si Jābāli. Naroon din ang matalinong prinsipe na si Śakuni, anak ni Ikṣvāku, na iginagalang at pinupuri ng kanyang mga kapatid.

Speakers

• Narrator voice within the Pulastya–Nārada frame (contextual narration of the Saro-mahātmya episode)

Primary Deities

• Vishnu

Key Themes

• Tirtha Mahima
• Royal-sage interaction
• Lineage (Ikṣvāku-vaṃśa)
• Rta (cosmic order) as royal ideal

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who are Ṛtadhvaja and Jābāli in this passage?

Ṛtadhvaja is presented as a righteous king (his very name evokes ṛta, cosmic truth/order). Jābāli is a sage associated with counsel and ritual presence; the verse depicts a courtly/ritual setting where the king is properly honored in the company of the sage.

Does ‘Śakuni’ here refer to the Mahābhārata character?

Not necessarily. ‘Śakuni’ is a common proper name. In Purāṇic tīrtha-narratives, names can recur across traditions; identification should be made only when corroborated by surrounding verses (genealogy, deeds, locale).

Why is Ikṣvāku lineage emphasized in a tīrtha chapter?

Tīrtha-māhātmyas often anchor sanctity in exemplary royal patrons from famed dynasties. Mentioning Ikṣvāku signals dharmic kingship and lends prestige to the episode connected with the sacred site.