Vamana Purana — Vishnu's Sleep (Ashunya-Shayana), Shloka 56

The Caturmasya Observances and the Rite of Vishnu’s Sleep (Aśūnya-Śayana) and Shiva’s Monthly Vows

Devanagari script

सक्तूंश्च सघृतान् देवे दध्नाक्तान् विनिवेदयेत् उपानद्यगलं छत्रं दानं दद्याच्च भक्तिमान्

Transliteration

saktūṃśca saghṛtān deve dadhnāktān vinivedayet upānadyagalaṃ chatraṃ dānaṃ dadyācca bhaktimān

Translation

以虔敬之心，应向神明奉献萨克图（saktu，炒制大麦粉），拌以酥油（ghee），并与凝乳/酸奶（dadhi）调和或涂抹。虔信者亦当施舍鞋履、衣袍/披衣与伞盖等物。

Word by Word

• सक्तून्: parched flour/meal
• सक्तून्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सक्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• स-घृतान्: together with ghee
• स-घृतान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय) + घृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव (घृतेन सह)

• देवे: to the deity
• देवे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण) / चतुर्थी (सम्प्रदान) एकवचन; अत्र ‘देवे’ = देवाय (to the deity) अर्थे

• दध्ना-आक्तान्: smeared with curd
• दध्ना-आक्तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दधि (प्रातिपदिक) + आक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √अञ्ज्/√अक्त्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, past participle) ‘आक्त’ = smeared; तत्पुरुष (दध्ना आक्ताः)

• विनिवेदयेत्: should offer
• विनिवेदयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + नि + √विद्/√वेद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• उपानत्-युगलम्: a pair of sandals
• उपानत्-युगलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपानत् (प्रातिपदिक) + युगल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (उपानतोः युगलम्)

• छत्रम्: umbrella
• छत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• दानम्: gift/charity
• दानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• भक्तिमान्: devout
• भक्तिमान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + मतुप् (प्रत्यय) → भक्तिमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive)

Speakers

• Not specified in the provided excerpt (often framed as Pulastya instructing Nārada in this Purāṇa)

Primary Deities

• Unspecified Deva (recipient of naivedya); context later identifies Jagatpati

Key Themes

• Bhakti
• Vrata/Rituals
• Dāna (charity)
• Naivedya (food offering)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The verse links devotion (bhakti) with concrete ethical action: worship is not only inner reverence but also disciplined offering (naivedya) and generosity (dāna). Simple foods (saktu) emphasize sincerity over luxury, while gifting essentials (footwear, clothing, umbrella) expresses compassion toward living beings.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana?

This is not sarga/pratisarga or dynastic narration; it aligns best with ancillary Purāṇic material supporting dharma through vrata-vidhi and dāna—often treated under ācāra/dharma-oriented instruction within Purāṇas rather than the core pañcalakṣaṇa headings.

What is the symbolic significance?

Saktu with ghee and curd symbolizes sattvic nourishment and hospitality, while the donated items (footwear, garment, umbrella) symbolize protection and support for others—turning ritual merit into social welfare.