Vamana Purana — Karmic Causes of Narakas, Shloka 44
Karmic Causes of Narakas and the Irremediability of Ingratitude (Kṛtaghna-doṣa)
यथा सुराणां प्रवरो जनार्दनो यथा गिरीणामपि शैशिराद्रिः यथायुधानां प्रवरं सुदर्शनं यथा खगानां विनतातनूजः महोरगाणां प्रवरो ऽप्यनन्तो यथा च भूतेषु मही प्रधाना
yathā surāṇāṃ pravaro janārdano yathā girīṇāmapi śaiśirādriḥ yathāyudhānāṃ pravaraṃ sudarśanaṃ yathā khagānāṃ vinatātanūjaḥ mahoragāṇāṃ pravaro 'pyananto yathā ca bhūteṣu mahī pradhānā
جس طرح دیوتاؤں میں جناردن سب سے برتر ہے؛ جس طرح پہاڑوں میں شَیشِر پہاڑ برتر ہے؛ جس طرح ہتھیاروں میں سُدرشن برتر ہے؛ جس طرح پرندوں میں وِنَتا کا فرزند (گرُڑ) برتر ہے؛ جس طرح بڑے ناگوں میں اَنَنت برتر ہے؛ اور جس طرح مخلوقات میں زمین اصل و مقدم ہے—اسی طرح (ممدوح شے) اپنے طبقے میں اعلیٰ ترین سمجھی جاتی ہے۔
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FAQs
The verse teaches discernment of excellence (śreṣṭhatā) as a contemplative aid: by recognizing a ‘foremost’ principle in each domain, the mind is guided toward the supreme refuge (often implicitly the deity or tīrtha being praised in the surrounding passage).
It functions as stuti/upadeśa within Purāṇic narrative rather than a direct pancalakṣaṇa unit. Indirectly it supports Vaṃśānucarita/Manvantara-style cosmology by affirming Vishnu’s supremacy among devas and his cosmic associates (Garuḍa, Ananta).
Sudarśana symbolizes dharma’s cutting discernment; Garuḍa symbolizes Vedic ascent and victory over poison/ignorance; Ananta symbolizes infinite support and stability; Earth as pradhāna symbolizes the field (kṣetra) for dharma and yajña. Together they map a Vaiṣṇava cosmic order centered on sustaining and protecting righteousness.