Vamana Purana — Shukra's Curse on King Danda, Shloka 94

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

Devanagari script

इत्येवमुक्तो मुनिना बाले स कपिकुञ्जरः कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा प्रणिपत्येदमब्रवीत्/ ममाज्ञा दीयतां ब्रह्मन् शाधि किं करवाण्यहम्

Transliteration

ityevamukto muninā bāle sa kapikuñjaraḥ kṛtāñjalipuṭo bhūtvā praṇipatyedamabravīt/ mamājñā dīyatāṃ brahman śādhi kiṃ karavāṇyaham

Translation

圣者如此吩咐后，那年轻而尊贵的猴王合掌作礼（añjali），俯伏顶礼而言：“婆罗门啊，请赐我命令；请教示我——我当作何事？”

Speakers

• The young Vānara (kapi-kuñjara) speaking to Śakuni-ṛṣi

Key Themes

• Guru-śiṣya style obedience
• Humility and reverence (añjali, praṇipāta)
• Readiness for dharmic service
• Characterization of the vānara as noble/heroic

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What does ‘kapi-kuñjara’ imply about the monkey?

It is an honorific compound meaning ‘an elephant among monkeys,’ i.e., the foremost or most powerful of his kind—signaling capability and heroic stature, not merely species.

Why are añjali and praṇipāta emphasized?

These gestures encode dharma: proper approach to a ṛṣi involves humility, self-surrender, and readiness to receive instruction. The verse frames service as disciplined obedience rather than impulsive action.

What is the significance of ‘mamājñā dīyatām’ (give me your command)?

It expresses voluntary submission to righteous authority. In Purāṇic ethics, aligning one’s strength with a sage’s directive converts raw power into dharmic action, often leading to auspicious outcomes in the ensuing episode.