Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 53
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
द्वारकान्तु गतो रेमे उग्रसेनादियादवैः अनिरुद्धात्मजो वज्रो मार्कण्डेयात्तु सर्ववित्
dvārakāntu gato reme ugrasenādiyādavaiḥ aniruddhātmajo vajro mārkaṇḍeyāttu sarvavit
غير أنه لما مضى إلى دوارَكا (Dvārakā) عاش في سرور بين اليادافا (Yādava) يتقدمهم أوغراسينا (Ugrasena). وأما فَجْرَ (Vajra) ابن أنيرودها (Aniruddha) فقد صار عالماً بكل شيء بفضل تعليم ماركاندييا (Mārkaṇḍeya).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Connects Dvārakā polity/social life with the ideal of comprehensive learning (sarvavit) through a sage-teacher; used to valorize guru-śiṣya transmission.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dvārakā delight and Vajra’s sarvavidyā from Mārkaṇḍeya","lookup_keywords":["Dvārakā","Yādava","Ugrasena","Vajra Aniruddha son","Mārkaṇḍeya teaching"],"quick_summary":"The narrative situates the Yādavas in Dvārakā and highlights Vajra’s attainment of broad knowledge under sage Mārkaṇḍeya, underscoring the Purāṇic ideal of encyclopedic learning via gurus."}
Concept: Sarvavidyā is attainable through disciplined study under a realized guru; worldly prosperity and learning can coexist when dharma is upheld.
Application: Prioritize mentorship and broad-based education; cultivate both civic life (community) and śāstric learning.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Purana: Yadava-Vamsha and Dvaraka Narratives
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A panoramic Dvārakā scene with Yādavas gathered around Ugrasena; a secondary vignette shows young Vajra receiving instruction from sage Mārkaṇḍeya with manuscripts and teaching gestures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: ocean-side Dvārakā with ornate palaces; Yādavas in assembly; separate panel of Mārkaṇḍeya teaching Vajra, palm-leaf texts, calm sacred aura.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: regal Dvārakā court with gold arches; Ugrasena enthroned, Yādavas around; inset of Mārkaṇḍeya blessing Vajra; rich ornamentation and halos for sage.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional classroom-like scene—Mārkaṇḍeya seated on āsana, pointing to manuscript; Vajra attentive; background hints of Dvārakā architecture; clean composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: bustling coastal city and court assembly; then intimate scholar’s corner with Mārkaṇḍeya and Vajra; fine architectural detail, patterned carpets, delicate faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dvārakāntu = dvārakām + tu. ugrasenādiyādavaiḥ = ugrasena-ādi-yādavaiḥ. mārkaṇḍeyāttu = mārkaṇḍeyāt + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 12.54 (Balarāma epithets in same narrative stream)
FAQs
No specific ritual procedure is taught here; the verse records a lineage-and-residence detail (Dvārakā with the Yādavas) and emphasizes learning/omniscience gained through sage Mārkaṇḍeya’s instruction.
It preserves historical-purāṇic memory: places (Dvārakā), dynastic leadership (Ugrasena), and transmission of knowledge via sages (Mārkaṇḍeya), showing the text’s coverage of genealogy, lore, and pedagogical lineages alongside technical śāstras elsewhere.
It highlights the purāṇic ideal that true competence and comprehensive understanding (sarvavit) arises through association with realized sages and disciplined learning, which is treated as meritorious and purifying in dharma literature.