Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

ततः पप्रच्छ स मुनिः कन्यके कस्य कथ्यताम् कुलालङ्कारणे भक्तियुक्ते भवस्य हि

Transliteration

tataḥ papraccha sa muniḥ kanyake kasya kathyatām kulālaṅkāraṇe bhaktiyukte bhavasya hi

Translation

Rồi vị hiền triết hỏi: “Hỡi các thiếu nữ, hãy nói cho ta biết—các nàng thuộc về ai? Các nàng được trang sức như bảo vật của dòng dõi cao quý, và quả thật một lòng sùng kính Bhava (Śiva).”

Speakers

• Galava speaking to the two celestial maidens.

Primary Deities

• Shiva (Bhava)

Key Themes

• Identity inquiry in sacred narrative
• Devotion (bhakti) to Shiva
• Celestial-human dialogue
• Lineage honor (kula-alaṅkāra)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is implied by calling the maidens “kula-alaṅkāraṇe”?

It is a respectful idiom: women who are ‘ornaments’ of a lineage—i.e., marked by refinement, auspicious qualities, and conduct that enhances family honor. In narrative terms, it signals their elevated (non-human) status and virtue.

Why does Galava connect them explicitly with Bhava (Shiva)?

Their demeanor and devotional markers (implicit from the preceding worship scene and their reverence) lead Galava to infer a Shaiva affiliation—either as attendants, devotees, or beings blessed through Shiva’s sphere.

Does this verse establish a Shaiva-Vaishnava unity theme?

Not directly within the verse itself; it foregrounds Shaiva devotion (Bhava/Īśāna). Any broader unity theme would depend on surrounding passages (e.g., if Vishnu’s tīrtha or Vāmana context is later linked with Shiva’s grace).