Vamana Purana — Merit of Shravana Dvadashi, Shloka 32

The Merit of Śravaṇa-Dvādaśī and the Liberation of a Preta through Gayā Piṇḍa-Rites

Devanagari script

शक्रः शतं तु पुण्यानां क्रोतूनामजयत् पुरा दैत्येन्द्र वाजिमेधानां तेन ब्रह्मसदो गतः

Transliteration

śakraḥ śataṃ tu puṇyānāṃ krotūnāmajayat purā daityendra vājimedhānāṃ tena brahmasado gataḥ

Translation

اے دَیتیہ کے سردار، شکر نے قدیم زمانے میں نیکی بخشنے والے سو اشومیدھ یَجْنوں کے ذریعے (سب پر) سبقت لی؛ اسی سے وہ برہما کی سبھا/مسند تک پہنچا۔

Speakers

• Śukra addressing the Daitya lord (Bali)
• citing Indra’s precedent.

Primary Deities

• Indra (Śakra)
• Brahmā
• Śukra

Key Themes

• Aśvamedha as instrument of sovereignty
• Merit (puṇya) through śrauta ritual
• Competitive kingship and cosmic rank

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Is ‘vājimedha’ the same as Aśvamedha?

In Purāṇic usage, ‘vājimedha’ commonly functions as a synonym or near-synonym for Aśvamedha (horse-sacrifice), a paradigmatic royal rite conferring imperial legitimacy.

What is meant by ‘brahmasadaḥ’—did Indra literally go to Brahmā’s world?

‘Brahma-sad’ can denote Brahmā’s assembly/seat as a symbol of supreme divine recognition. The verse emphasizes Indra’s elevation in status through ritual merit rather than giving a precise cosmographic itinerary.

Why does Śukra cite Indra’s hundred sacrifices to Bali?

It is strategic instruction: Indra’s ritual record is presented as a benchmark. By hearing that Indra gained supremacy through repeated Aśvamedhas, Bali is motivated to undertake comparable or greater rites to assert Daitya sovereignty.