Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 20
Chapter 19 — कश्यपवंशवर्णनम्
Description of Kaśyapa’s Lineage
पुत्रमिन्द्रप्रहर्तारमिच्छती प्राप कश्यपात् पादाप्रक्षालनात् सुप्ता तस्या गर्भं जघान ह
putramindraprahartāramicchatī prāpa kaśyapāt pādāprakṣālanāt suptā tasyā garbhaṃ jaghāna ha
In dem Wunsch nach einem Sohn, der Indra niederschlagen würde, empfing sie von Kaśyapa; und als sie einschlief — infolge des Waschens (seiner) Füße — zerstörte Indra wahrhaftig ihren Embryo.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic legend to Vasiṣṭha, the usual Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Narrative lesson on vigilance in vows/pregnancy observances and the mythic origin of Indra–Diti hostility.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Diti’s desire for an Indra-slayer and Indra’s destruction of the embryo","lookup_keywords":["indra","diti","garbha","kashyapa","pada-prakshalana"],"quick_summary":"Diti conceives a son meant to strike Indra, but Indra exploits a lapse when she sleeps and destroys the embryo—illustrating how small breaches in observance become openings for adversaries."}
Alamkara Type: Vyatireka/contrast (maternal intent vs divine intervention)
Weapon Type: Vajra (implied Indra-weapon)
Concept: A ‘chidra’ (vulnerable opening) arises from negligence; protection of a vow/undertaking requires continuous awareness.
Application: Generalized ethic for vrata/niyama: maintain prescribed disciplines without lapse; in narrative terms, adversaries exploit inattentiveness.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Narrative (Deva-Asura/Aditya-katha)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Diti, after washing Kaśyapa’s feet, falls asleep; Indra approaches stealthily and destroys the embryo—tense, nocturnal hermitage scene with divine intervention.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, night-blue background; Diti reclining in āśrama, water pot and foot-washing vessel nearby; Indra with crown and vajra entering quietly; Kaśyapa’s sandals/seat indicated; dramatic yet stylized expressions, ornate border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Indra with gold halo and vajra, Diti asleep on a low couch, gleaming gold accents on vessels; strong contrast of calm sleep and impending act; rich reds and blues.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, subtle storytelling: foot-washing implements foreground, Diti asleep, Indra mid-step with restrained gesture; fine lines, soft shading, emphasis on narrative clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior of forest hut, moonlit ambience, Indra in jeweled attire approaching; Diti asleep with attendants absent; meticulous textiles and vessels, suspenseful composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुत्रमिन्द्रप्रहर्तारम् = पुत्रम् इन्द्र-प्रहर्तारम्; इन्द्रप्रहर्तारमिच्छती = इन्द्र-प्रहर्तारम् इच्छती.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 19.21 (chidra-anveshana; marut formation)
FAQs
It conveys narrative causality rather than a manual-vidyā: the pivotal point is the lapse into sleep (a break in disciplined observance) leading to the loss of the embryo.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa preserves puranic historiography—genealogies and deity-centered legends—used to explain cosmology, ethics, and the motives behind divine conflicts.
The verse underscores how a moment of negligence in a vowed undertaking can have major karmic consequences, and how divine opposition may exploit such lapses to avert perceived threats.