Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 50
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
जृम्भते शङ्करे नष्टे जृम्भणास्त्रेण विष्णुना छिन्नं सहस्रं बाहूनां रुद्रेणाभयमर्थितम्
jṛmbhate śaṅkare naṣṭe jṛmbhaṇāstreṇa viṣṇunā chinnaṃ sahasraṃ bāhūnāṃ rudreṇābhayamarthitam
Als Śaṅkara durch Viṣṇu mit der Waffe Jṛmbhaṇa zum Gähnen gebracht und dadurch kampfunfähig gemacht wurde, wurden tausend (von Viṣṇus) Armen abgeschlagen; daraufhin erbat Rudra von ihm die Zusicherung der Unversehrtheit.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s frame-dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Understanding Purāṇic conflict-resolution motifs and the notion of divine weapons (astra) as narrative devices; also used in discourse on Hari–Hara relations.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jṛmbhaṇāstra and Rudra’s Abhaya-yācñā","lookup_keywords":["Jṛmbhaṇāstra","yawning weapon","Hari-Hara battle","Rudra abhaya","severed arms"],"quick_summary":"Viṣṇu employs the Jṛmbhaṇāstra to incapacitate Śaṅkara; the episode pivots to reconciliation when Rudra seeks assurance of safety, framing conflict as a prelude to concord."}
Weapon Type: Astra (Jṛmbhaṇāstra)
Concept: Even among divine powers, conflict is subordinated to protection (abhaya) and restoration of harmony.
Application: Model for resolving disputes: demonstrate restraint, then offer/seek safety assurances to end hostility.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Deva-Asura/Devata narratives (Puranic Itihasa)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Viṣṇu releases the Jṛmbhaṇāstra; Śaṅkara/Rudra is shown yawning and momentarily incapacitated; severed arms (symbolic) and Rudra then approaches seeking abhaya (assurance of safety).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, bold flat colors, ornate jewelry; Viṣṇu with many arms in dynamic stance casting an astra; Śaṅkara yawning with softened posture; attendants and celestial aura; dramatic but sacred composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; central Viṣṇu multi-armed with astra-mudrā, haloed; Śaṅkara with trident and crescent moon shown subdued then in respectful gesture; rich textiles, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework; instructional narrative panel: astra emission, yawning effect on Śaṅkara, then abhaya-yācñā; muted palette, refined faces, clear sequencing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed battlefield courtly scene; Viṣṇu with multiple arms stylized, Śaṅkara yawning in surprise; courtiers/gaṇas watching; fine architectural border and landscape, intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rudreṇābhayamarthitam = rudreṇa + abhayam + arthitam. jṛmbhaṇāstreṇa = jṛmbhaṇa + astreṇa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 12.51; Agni Purana 12.52
FAQs
It references a specific astra—Jṛmbhaṇa-astra—indicating the Purāṇic taxonomy of divine weapons and their effects (here, inducing yawning/incapacitation).
By preserving named astras and their functions within narrative episodes, the text doubles as a catalog of martial/strategic motifs alongside theology—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark encyclopedic features.
The verse underscores the supremacy of divine order over egoic conflict: even great deities seek abhayam (assurance/safety), pointing to humility and reconciliation as dharmic outcomes after cosmic confrontation.