Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 19
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम्
Description of the War between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas
बहून् हत्वा नरादींश् च भीमसेनमथाब्रवीत् गदया प्रहरन्तं तु भीमस्तन्तु व्यपातयत्
bahūn hatvā narādīṃś ca bhīmasenamathābravīt gadayā praharantaṃ tu bhīmastantu vyapātayat
Nachdem er viele Männer und andere erschlagen hatte, wandte er sich an Bhīmasena. Doch als jener mit der Keule zuschlug, streckte Bhīma ihn nieder.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Highlights the climactic gada-episode: after mass slaying, a direct address and a mace-strike answered by Bhīma’s decisive counter—useful as a vignette for mace-combat outcomes in epic retelling.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gadā-yuddha vignette: Bhīma fells the mace-striker","lookup_keywords":["Bhimasena","gada","praharan","vyapatayat","suyodhana"],"quick_summary":"Depicts a turning point in close combat: after heavy slaughter, the opponent attacks with a mace; Bhīma counters and fells him—an emblem of decisive gada engagement."}
Alamkara Type: Kriya-vaicitrya (dynamic action depiction)
Weapon Type: Mace (gadā)
Concept: When conflict narrows to personal combat, speech (address) and action (strike/counterstrike) reveal character and resolve.
Application: In high-stakes confrontation, maintain composure, read intent, and respond proportionately and decisively.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purana Narrative (Mahabharata-related martial episode)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tight, dramatic close-up: an opponent swings a heavy mace; Bhīma steps in and fells him; fallen soldiers and broken weapons in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, exaggerated musculature and stylized motion arcs; Bhīma dominant, mace mid-swing by opponent; bold reds and blacks; dust and weapon fragments as decorative rhythm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Bhīma with gold-highlighted ornaments and powerful stance; mace rendered with metallic sheen; background simplified; ornate border emphasizing the climactic strike.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of gada grip, stance, and counter; minimal crowding; instructional feel while retaining epic drama; soft palette and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic anatomy and armor; dynamic diagonal composition; spectators/warriors in background; detailed ground with discarded shields and arrows."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नरादींश्च = नरादीन् + च; भीमसेनमथ = भीमसेनम् + अथ; अथाब्रवीत् = अथ + अब्रवीत्; भीमस्तन्तु = भीमः + तम् + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihasa-katha: Duryodhana–Bhima sequence; Agni Purana Dhanurveda: gada-lakshana and yuddha-vidhi (where present)
FAQs
It conveys martial terminology and action—gadayā prahar- (striking with a mace) and vyapātayat (felled/caused to fall)—useful for understanding Dhanurveda-style weapon vocabulary rather than ritual procedure.
Alongside rituals and doctrines, the Agni Purana preserves Itihasa-like battle narration and weapon lexicon (e.g., gada), reflecting its wide scope that includes warfare and heroic narrative traditions.
The verse primarily functions as heroic narrative; its implied takeaway is the valor-duty (kṣātra-dharma) theme where decisive action in battle is portrayed as part of righteous conduct in epic warfare contexts.