Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 20
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
गौरीं जिहीर्षुणा रुद्रमन्धकेनार्दितं हरिः अनुरक्तश् च रेवत्यां चक्रेचान्धासुरार्दनम्
gaurīṃ jihīrṣuṇā rudramandhakenārditaṃ hariḥ anuraktaś ca revatyāṃ cakrecāndhāsurārdanam
ولمّا اعتدى أندهاكا على رودرا، وهو يريد اختطاف غوري، فإنّ هاري—المتعلّق بريڤتي والمخلص لها—أحدث كذلك هلاكَ الأسورا أندها (أندهاكا).
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s principal frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Narrative instruction on protecting marital sanctity and divine order; illustrates Hari’s supportive role in Śaiva episodes and the defeat of Andhaka.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Andhaka’s assault and the destruction of Andhāsura (Andhaka) with Hari’s aid","lookup_keywords":["Andhaka","Gaurī","Rudra assailed","Revatī","Andhāsura-vadha"],"quick_summary":"When Andhaka attacks Rudra seeking to abduct Gaurī, Hari—devoted to Revatī—assists in bringing about the demon’s destruction, reaffirming protection of dharma and the divine household."}
Alamkara Type: Hetu (causal narration)
Weapon Type: Cakra (implied by Hari’s demon-slaying role)
Concept: Protection of strī-dharma/maryādā and the sanctity of the divine couple; adharma (abduction/violence) leads to destruction.
Application: Ethical teaching against coercion and violation; upholds protective duty of allies/family/community in the face of aggression.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Puranic Legends (Hari–Rudra episodes; Andhaka-vadha narrative)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Andhaka lunges toward Gaurī; Rudra blocks and confronts him; Viṣṇu appears as ally, poised to strike; the scene is charged with protective fury and righteous defense.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic Rudra with trident-like energy, Gaurī in ornate attire; Andhaka as dark demon; Viṣṇu with cakra aura; strong reds and blacks, dramatic eyes and gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted Rudra and Gaurī; Viṣṇu with shining cakra; Andhaka subdued; rich ornamentation and temple-like framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative staging: aggressor, protected figure, defender, assisting ally; fine detailing of weapons and expressions; balanced composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace-garden or battlefield setting; Rudra intercepting Andhaka; Viṣṇu entering from side with attendants; intricate textiles and weapon detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedār","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रुद्रमन्धकेनार्दितं = रुद्रम् अन्धकेन आर्दितम्; अनुरक्तश् = अनुरक्तः; चक्रेचान्धासुरार्दनम् = चक्रे च अन्धासुर-आर्दनम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Hari–Rudra concord narratives; demon-slaying catalogues
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys Puranic-itihāsa (sacred narrative) highlighting divine protection and the defeat of adharma embodied by Andhaka.
It exemplifies the Purana’s compendium-style inclusion of theology and mythic history alongside other disciplines—preserving interconnected Hari–Rudra narratives that inform later ritual, iconography, and sectarian harmony.
The takeaway is that assault on dharma (symbolized by the attempt to abduct Gaurī) culminates in downfall, while devotion and divine alignment (Hari aiding Rudra) restore cosmic order.