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
মন্দৰক মথনদণ্ড আৰু বাসুকিক নেত্ৰ (ৰজ্জু) কৰি দেৱ-অসুৰে সমুদ্ৰ মথিলে; আৰু তাৰ পৰা দেৱসকললৈ অমৃত দান হ’ল।
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.