Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 23
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
हालाहलं विषं दैत्यं निराकृत्य महेश्वरात् भयं निर्णाशयामास देवानां मधुसूदनः
hālāhalaṃ viṣaṃ daityaṃ nirākṛtya maheśvarāt bhayaṃ nirṇāśayāmāsa devānāṃ madhusūdanaḥ
দৈত্যস্বরূপ হালাহল বিষকে দূর করে মধুসূদন মহেশ্বর-সম্পর্কিত দেবগণের ভয় সম্পূর্ণরূপে বিনাশ করলেন।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Used to explain divine intervention in cosmic crises (poison/chaos motifs) and to cultivate trust that fear is dispelled by dharma-protecting divinity.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Warding off Hālāhala and removing the gods’ fear","lookup_keywords":["Hālāhala","viṣa","Madhusūdana","deva-bhaya","Maheśvara"],"quick_summary":"The verse links the Hālāhala poison crisis to Viṣṇu’s protective role, emphasizing fear-removal and cosmic safeguarding in relation to Śiva’s sphere."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/arthāpatti-style mythic compression (poison as demonic threat)
Concept: Śaraṇāgati and divine guardianship: fear dissolves when the cosmos is aligned with dharma and protected by the preserver principle.
Application: Devotional practice: recitation/remembering of Madhusūdana as bhaya-nāśaka (remover of fear) during anxiety or perceived ‘poisonous’ life-crises.
Khanda Section: Avataras and Deva-Asura Episodes (Puranic Itihasa-Narrative)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Type: Cosmic Ocean
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic moment where the terrifying Hālāhala poison is checked; devas regain composure as Madhusūdana stands as protector, with Maheśvara’s presence implied in the background of the episode.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: swirling ocean-churning backdrop, dark Hālāhala fumes rising; Viṣṇu (Madhusūdana) calm and radiant, devas with anxious faces turning to relief; stylized waves, bold contours, ornamental halos.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Viṣṇu with gold halo and rich ornaments, dark poison cloud below subdued; devas in prayer; optional small Śiva motif in background; heavy gold work emphasizing protection.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: delicate rendering of poison as smoky gradient; Viṣṇu in abhaya-mudrā, devas transitioning from fear to calm; soft palette, fine gold highlights.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed ocean scene with churning apparatus hinted; black-blue poison plume; Viṣṇu as luminous figure stabilizing the scene; devas in expressive courtly poses, fine landscape and cloud detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nirṇāśayāmāsa analyzed as perfect periphrastic-like formation in epic/purāṇic usage; madhusūdanaḥ = madhu-sūdanaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Samudra-manthana/Hālāhala-related narration in the same khanda context
FAQs
This verse is primarily itihāsa-purāṇic narrative rather than a procedural vidyā; it conveys the protective function of divine intervention—Viṣṇu’s act of repelling the Hālāhala poison and restoring the devas’ security.
By preserving major pan-Purāṇic episodes (like the Hālāhala poison crisis) alongside other disciplines, the Agni Purāṇa functions as a compendium—integrating theology, cosmological myth, and sectarian harmonization (Viṣṇu–Śiva context) within its broad knowledge-architecture.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati and divine protection: fear and calamity (symbolized by poison) are overcome through the sustaining power of dharma and the grace of the Lord, restoring cosmic order and the devas’ steadiness.