Vamana Purana — Merit of Shravana Dvadashi, Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

इत्थं सुरारेर्वचनं निशम्यासुरयाजकः बाढमित्यब्रवीद् हृष्टो निधयः संदिदेश सः

Transliteration

itthaṃ surārervacanaṃ niśamyāsurayājakaḥ bāḍhamityabravīd hṛṣṭo nidhayaḥ saṃdideśa saḥ

Translation

یوں دیوتاؤں کے دشمن (دَیتیہ راجا) کی بات سن کر اسوروں کے یاجک نے خوشی سے کہا: “تھاستُو”؛ پھر اس نے نِدھیوں (مال و یَگیہ کے سامان) کو مہیا کرنے کا حکم دیا۔

Speakers

• Narrator voice (Purāṇic narrator) describing the exchange: the Daitya king’s instruction is heard; the Asura-priest responds and issues orders.

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (contextual: Vāmana/Trivikrama)

Key Themes

• Yajña organization
• Royal patronage of sacrifice
• Wealth as ritual resource
• Prelude to Vāmana episode

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Who is the ‘surāri’ (“enemy of the gods”) in this context?

In Purāṇic diction, surāri commonly denotes an Asura/Daitya opposed to the Devas. In Adhyāya 52’s narrative frame (Bali’s great sacrifice), it points to the Daitya king (Bali) whose command is being carried out.

Why are ‘treasures’ (nidhayaḥ) mentioned in a ritual context?

Major śrauta rites—especially Aśvamedha—require extensive dakṣiṇā (fees/gifts), materials, and hospitality. The verse signals the mobilization of wealth as a necessary ritual infrastructure.

Does this verse already mention Vāmana?

No. It functions as narrative staging: the Asura side is shown as fully committed to the sacrifice, which sets the dramatic and theological backdrop for Vāmana’s later intervention.