Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 4
Chapter 16 — बुद्धाद्यवतारकथनम्
Narration of Buddha and Other Incarnations
आर्हतः सो ऽभवत् पश्चादार्हतानकरोत् परान् एवं पाषण्डिनो जाता वेदधर्मादिवर्जिताः
ārhataḥ so 'bhavat paścādārhatānakarot parān evaṃ pāṣaṇḍino jātā vedadharmādivarjitāḥ
পরে তিনি আর্হত (জৈন) হলেন এবং অন্যদেরও আর্হত করলেন। এইভাবে পাষণ্ডীরা জন্মাল—যারা বেদধর্ম প্রভৃতি থেকে বঞ্চিত ছিল।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Continues purāṇic doxography/polemics: identifies Ārhata (Jaina) and the spread of pāṣaṇḍa as Veda-external; used in traditional debates and sect-classification passages.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ārhata-prasaṅga and Pāṣaṇḍin-utpatti (Veda-vivarjana)","lookup_keywords":["Ārhata","Jaina","pāṣaṇḍin","veda-dharma","nindā"],"quick_summary":"Says he later became an Ārhata and made others Ārhatas; thus pāṣaṇḍins arose, characterized by exclusion of Vedic dharma and rites."}
Alamkara Type: Anuvāda (continuation) with categorical labeling
Concept: Orthopraxy/orthodoxy is tied to Veda-dharma; Veda-external systems are grouped as pāṣaṇḍa within this purāṇic stance.
Application: For adherents of the text’s tradition: maintain Vedic rites and śruti-smṛti alignment; treat competing systems through the lens of Veda-prāmāṇya.
Khanda Section: Dharma–Pāṣaṇḍa-nindā (Critique of heretical/anti-Vedic sects; Veda-dharma defense)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A continuation of the allegory: the same figure assumes an Ārhata identity and converts others; groups labeled pāṣaṇḍins appear, shown turning away from Vedic ritual symbols.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sequential panels: transformation into an Ārhata teacher figure, followers gathering, Vedic altar motifs receding, strong symbolic gestures of turning away, saturated traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central teacher figure with followers, gold-embossed borders, a dimmed yajña-kuṇḍa motif at the edge to indicate Veda-vivarjana, ornate but didactic composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean narrative storyboard: teacher instructing, followers multiplying, visual contrast between Vedic ritual implements and their absence in the new group, fine linework and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly debate/teaching scene with expanding circle of disciples, architectural setting, subtle iconographic cues of ritual omission, detailed faces and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सोऽभवत् = सः अभवत्; पश्चादार्हतानकरोत् = पश्चात् आर्हतान् अकरोत्; वेदधर्मादिवर्जिताः = वेद-धर्म-आदि-वर्जिताः.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 16.2–16.3 (Māyā-moha and Bauddha outcome)
FAQs
It classifies a shift away from Veda-based ritual duty (Veda-dharma) by describing the adoption and propagation of the Ārhata path, framing it as abandonment of Vedic rites and observances.
Beyond rituals and cosmology, the Agni Purana also records religious movements and doctrinal boundaries—here, mapping sectarian identities (Ārhata, pāṣaṇḍin) in relation to Vedic authority.
Within the text’s viewpoint, turning away from Veda-dharma is portrayed as spiritually detrimental because it implies rejection of Vedic duties that are presented as sustaining righteous order (dharma).