Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 16
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
मन्थानं मन्दरं कृत्वा नेत्रं कृत्वा तु वासुकिम् सुरासुरैश् च मथितं देवेभ्यश्चामृतं ददौ
manthānaṃ mandaraṃ kṛtvā netraṃ kṛtvā tu vāsukim surāsuraiś ca mathitaṃ devebhyaścāmṛtaṃ dadau
جعلوا ماندارا عصاً للخضّ، وجعلوا فاسُكي حبلاً للخضّ، فخضّ الآلهةُ والأسورا المحيط؛ ومنه مُنِحَ الدِّيفا أَمْرِتَا، رحيق الخلود.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic account to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Mythic template for cooperative enterprise: aligning opposing forces toward a shared goal; used in teaching cosmological origins of amṛta and ritual symbolism (churning as sādhanā).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Samudra-manthana: Mandara as rod, Vāsuki as cord, emergence of Amṛta","lookup_keywords":["Samudra-manthana","Mandara","Vāsuki","amṛta","deva-asura"],"quick_summary":"The ocean is churned using Mandara and Vāsuki by devas and asuras, yielding amṛta for the devas—an archetype of disciplined effort producing transformative essence."}
Alamkara Type: Samāsokti/saṅkṣepa (compressed epic episode); Dṛṣṭānta potential (churning as inner practice)
Concept: Amṛta arises from sustained churning—symbolizing that higher attainments emerge from disciplined friction, balance, and perseverance.
Application: Frame long practices (study, yoga, vrata, therapy) as ‘manthana’: accept initial turbulence, maintain steady method, and harvest refined outcomes.
Khanda Section: Puranic Cosmology & Deva-Asura Narratives (Samudra-manthana / Amrita-katha)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Type: Ocean (mythic/cosmic)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Devas and asuras churn the ocean with Mandara as rod and Vāsuki as rope; amṛta emerges as a pot of nectar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural panoramic Samudra-manthana: central Mandara, coiled Vāsuki, devas on one side and asuras on the other, stylized waves with emerging amṛta-kalaśa, flat iconic figures, rich mineral colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate symmetrical composition with gold highlights on amṛta pot and divine ornaments, Mandara centered, Vāsuki rendered as decorative serpent band, embossed gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional scene—labels for Mandara (rod) and Vāsuki (cord), balanced groups pulling, subtle depiction of ocean treasures, fine linework and gentle shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed seascape with churning action, expressive faces of devas/asuras, intricate serpent scales, mountain texture, amṛta pot emerging with attendants, layered perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुरासुरैश्च = सुरासुरैः + च; देवेभ्यश्चामृतं = देवेभ्यः + च + अमृतम्. ‘मथितम्’ qualifies ‘अमृतम्’ (nectar obtained by churning).
Related Themes: Cosmology/deva-asura narrative portions in Agni Purāṇa; Hālāhala episode often adjacent to manthana narrative in Purāṇic sequencing
FAQs
It conveys the canonical cosmological ‘procedure’ of Samudra-manthana: Mandara functions as the churning staff and Vāsuki as the pulling cord, establishing the standard Purāṇic model for how amṛta is obtained.
By preserving a key Purāṇic cosmology episode with its technical identifications (instrument/rod/rope and agents), it complements the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging compendium—placing mythic origins (amṛta, Deva-Asura dynamics) alongside its ritual, governance, and śāstra materials.
The verse highlights amṛta as a symbol of divine grace and immortality (spiritual liberation/renewal), and frames cooperative-yet-contested effort (Devas and Asuras together) as a Purāṇic lesson on the emergence of higher rewards from disciplined striving.