Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 7
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
देवक्या वसुदेवेन स्तुतो बालो द्विबाहुकः वसुदेवः कंसभयाद् यशोदाशयने ऽनयत्
devakyā vasudevena stuto bālo dvibāhukaḥ vasudevaḥ kaṃsabhayād yaśodāśayane 'nayat
দেবকী ও বসুদেবের দ্বারা স্তূত সেই দ্বিভুজ শিশু—কংসের ভয়ে বসুদেব তাকে বহন করে যশোদার শয়নস্থানে রেখে দিলেন।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic history to Vasiṣṭha, as per Agni Purāṇa’s usual frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Model of protective action under tyranny: safeguarding a child, secrecy, and swift relocation; used in kathā recitation to highlight Vasudeva’s dhairya and parental dharma under threat.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vasudeva Carries the Two-Armed Infant to Yaśodā’s Bed","lookup_keywords":["dvibāhu-bāla","Vasudeva","Kaṃsa-bhaya","Yaśodā-śayana","stuti"],"quick_summary":"After being praised by Devakī and Vasudeva, the infant appears in a two-armed form and is carried by Vasudeva—out of fear of Kaṃsa—to Yaśodā’s sleeping place, initiating the Gokula concealment."}
Concept: Rakṣaṇa-dharma (protecting the vulnerable) and surrender to divine plan while acting responsibly amid danger.
Application: Ethical lesson: act decisively to protect dependents; in devotional practice, meditate on the Lord’s accessibility in dvibāhu bāla form.
Khanda Section: Avataras (Krishna-janma & transfer to Gokula)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: bhayānaka
Type: Settlement
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a tense night scene, Vasudeva carries the two-armed infant Kṛṣṇa from Devakī’s chamber, moving stealthily to place him on Yaśodā’s bed, driven by fear of Kaṃsa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, nocturnal procession: Vasudeva holding glowing infant, Devakī in background with folded hands, stylized prison setting, dramatic contrasts, devotional aura around the child.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Vasudeva with infant Kṛṣṇa (dvibāhu) in arms, gold halo around the baby, ornate borders, deep night tones with gold highlights, emphasis on tenderness and divinity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear storytelling: Vasudeva walking with infant, architectural cues of prison and a separate chamber labeled Yaśodā-śayana, soft palette, fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed night interior and corridor, Vasudeva in motion with swaddled infant emitting subtle light, guards asleep, intricate textiles and perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कंसभयाद् = कंस-भयात्; यशोदाशयने = यशोदा-शयने; ऽनयत् = अनयत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana Avatara-khaṇḍa: transfer and concealment sequence (12.6–12.8)
FAQs
No ritual-technical vidyā is taught here; the verse conveys narrative dharma—protecting the divine child through secrecy and swift action in the face of tyrannical threat.
It demonstrates the Agni Purāṇa’s purāṇic-history layer (avatāra-carita) alongside its many technical sections, integrating theology and sacred narrative into its multi-topic compendium.
It highlights divine protection and devotee-agency: faithful guardianship (Vasudeva’s act) supports dharma and becomes a model of courageous, righteous action under peril.