Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 15
Kūrma-avatāra-varṇana (The Description of the Tortoise Incarnation) — Samudra Manthana and the Reordering of Cosmic Prosperity
तु इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः निःश्वाससंग्लाना इति ख, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः ततो हर इति ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः प्रदर्शक इति ख, ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः अकन्दुसूचित इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः हरिणाप्यरिणा च्छिन्नं स राहुस्तच्छिरः पृथक् कृपयामरतान्नीतं वरदं हरिमब्रवीत्
tu iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ niḥśvāsasaṃglānā iti kha, gha, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ tato hara iti ga, gha, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ pradarśaka iti kha, ga, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ akandusūcita iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ hariṇāpyariṇā cchinnaṃ sa rāhustacchiraḥ pṛthak kṛpayāmaratānnītaṃ varadaṃ harimabravīt
হৰিৰ দ্বাৰা—শত্ৰুৰ দ্বাৰাও—ছিন্ন হোৱাত ৰাহুৰ মূৰ পৃথক হৈ ৰ’ল; পাছত কৃপাৰে তাক অমৰসকলৰ ওচৰলৈ নি, সি বৰদাতা হৰিক ক’লে।
Agni (narrator) to Vasiṣṭha (implied Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Explains the mythic basis for Rāhu (and by implication Ketu) as eclipse-causing grahas; supports ritual responses to eclipses and graha-śānti practices.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāhu’s Severed Head and Boon from Hari","lookup_keywords":["Rahu head severed","Hari cuts Rahu","immortals compassion","boon","grahana"],"quick_summary":"Rāhu is beheaded by Hari; the head remains separate and, through compassion, is brought before the immortals to receive a boon—grounding Rāhu’s continued celestial agency."}
Alamkara Type: Karuna (compassion despite enmity)
Weapon Type: Chakra (implied by Hari’s beheading act in standard tradition)
Concept: Justice tempered by compassion: even an adversary may receive a destined role and limited grace within cosmic order.
Application: In leadership and ethics: punish wrongdoing, yet allow rehabilitation/role-assignment that prevents further harm; in ritual: perform graha-śānti acknowledging Rāhu’s ordained function.
Khanda Section: Puranic Itihasa (Devasura-katha / Grahana-Rahu-Ketu-akhyana)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Mythic-cosmic
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hari strikes down Rāhu; the severed head remains animate. Rāhu is then led before the immortals and petitions boon-giving Hari.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic beheading moment with stylized motion, Rahu’s fierce severed head floating, devas guiding Rahu toward Vishnu, strong reds and blacks for Rahu, luminous halo for Hari.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Vishnu as varada (boon-giver) with gold halo, Rahu’s severed head depicted respectfully at lower register, devas as attendants, heavy gold embossing emphasizing divine authority.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear narrative sequence: cut, separation of head, then audience scene; fine linework, calm yet solemn expressions, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, action-to-audience tableau: Rahu’s head rendered with precise detail, Vishnu seated as boon-giver, devas in courtly arrangement, intricate textiles and architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Verse contains extensive critical apparatus text; analyzed only the main pāṭha segment: hariṇāpyariṇā cchinnam sa rāhustacchiraḥ pṛthak kṛpayāmaratānnītaṃ varadaṃ harimabravīt. Sandhi: hariṇā+api → hariṇā api; cchinnam from chinnam with preceding vowel; rāhustacchiraḥ → rāhuḥ tat-śiraḥ; amaratāt+nītam → amaratāt nītam; harim+abravīt → harim abravīt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: immediate continuation on Rāhu/Ketu and grahaṇa consequences; Agni Purana: any graha-śānti, dāna, vrata, or omens material connected to eclipses
FAQs
This verse conveys Puranic cosmology and graha-lore (eclipse mythology): Rāhu’s head survives severing and approaches Viṣṇu as boon-giver, a narrative basis used to explain graha-related phenomena.
By embedding graha/ecliptic myth within broader sacred history, the text links theology (Viṣṇu as varada), cosmological explanation (Rāhu), and Deva narrative—illustrating Agni Purāṇa’s multi-domain coverage beyond ritual alone.
It highlights divine sovereignty and compassion: even a transgressive being can be brought before the gods and seek a boon, underscoring the karmic theme that outcomes unfold under divine order and grace.