Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 17
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
तारकामयसङ्ग्रामे तदा देवाश् च पालिताः निवार्येन्द्रं गुरून् देवान् दानवान्सोमवंशकृतम्
tārakāmayasaṅgrāme tadā devāś ca pālitāḥ nivāryendraṃ gurūn devān dānavānsomavaṃśakṛtam
في حرب تاراكا مايا آنذاك حُفِظَت الآلهة؛ إذ كفَّ إندرا والآلهةَ الشيوخَ الموقَّرين، وجعل الدانافا يُقيمون ويُثبِّتون سلالة سوما (السلالة القمرية).
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic history to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Understanding Purāṇic causality in dynastic legitimacy (Somavaṃśa) and the ethics of restraint in divine leadership during conflict.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Tārakāmaya-saṅgrāma and the securing of the Soma (Lunar) dynasty","lookup_keywords":["Tārakāmaya","Somavaṃśa","Deva–Asura war","Indra restraint","Dānava"],"quick_summary":"The verse links a cosmic war episode (Tārakāmaya) with the stabilization/establishment of the Lunar dynasty, emphasizing protection of devas through strategic restraint of Indra and senior gods."}
Alamkara Type: Anvaya (compressed narrative syntax)
Concept: Rājadharma-like restraint: even powerful leaders must be checked for the sake of collective order and continuity of dharma/lineage.
Application: In governance or group leadership, curb rash action by instituting counsel/constraints to protect institutional continuity.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purana Narratives (Deva–Asura conflicts; Lunar dynasty lore)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic battlefield labeled Tārakāmaya: devas regroup under protection while a central figure restrains Indra and senior devas; in the background, a lunar emblem suggests the Soma dynasty being secured.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, ornate jewelry; devas with halos being shielded; Indra restrained by a dignified figure; crescent-moon insignia behind, stylized clouds and weapons, temple-mural composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold leaf highlights on crowns and halos; central protective figure restraining Indra; devas in orderly ranks; crescent moon motif and genealogical emblematic panel, rich red/green background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework; narrative tableau with labeled figures (Indra, devas, dānavas); emphasis on gesture of restraint and protection; moon emblem indicating Somavaṃśa.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed battlefield with disciplined deva ranks; a courtly figure restraining Indra; crescent moon standard; fine textiles, spears and banners, layered landscape."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तारकामयसङ्ग्रामे = तारकामय-सङ्ग्रामे; निवार्येन्द्रं = निवार्य इन्द्रम्; दानवान्सोमवंशकृतम् = दानवान् सोमवंश-कृतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: vaṃśa-kathā sections (Solar/Lunar genealogies); Agni Purāṇa: deva–asura-saṅgrāma narrative clusters around Tripura/Andhaka/Vṛtra episodes
FAQs
No ritual or applied vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as Purāṇic historiography, summarizing a Deva–Dānava conflict (Tārakāmaya-saṅgrāma) and its dynastic consequence connected with the Soma-vaṃśa.
It demonstrates the text’s encyclopedic scope by preserving mytho-historical data—wars among divine beings and genealogical outcomes (Soma/Lunar dynasty)—alongside the Agni Purāṇa’s many technical sections (ritual, polity, medicine, architecture, poetics).
The takeaway is dharmic: cosmic order is maintained through restraint and protection of the devas, and dynastic continuity (Soma-vaṃśa) is portrayed as arising within the larger moral-cosmic struggle between devas and asuras.