Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 12
Chapter 13 — कुरुपाण्डवोत्पत्त्यादिकथनं
Narration of the Origin of the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas, and Related Matters
दुर्योधनो जतुगृहे पाण्डवानदहत् कुधीः दग्धागाराद्विनिष्क्रान्ता मातृपृष्टास्तु पाण्डवाः
duryodhano jatugṛhe pāṇḍavānadahat kudhīḥ dagdhāgārādviniṣkrāntā mātṛpṛṣṭāstu pāṇḍavāḥ
The wicked-minded Duryodhana burned the Pāṇḍavas in the house of lac; but the Pāṇḍavas—rescued by their mother’s counsel—escaped from that burnt dwelling.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Illustrates political sabotage and survival strategy in royal rivalry; used in narrative teaching on vigilance, counsel, and crisis escape.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jatugṛha Conflagration and the Pāṇḍavas’ Escape","lookup_keywords":["jatugriha lac house","Duryodhana arson","Pandava escape","Kunti counsel","Mahabharata episode"],"quick_summary":"Summarizes Duryodhana’s attempt to burn the Pāṇḍavas in the lac house and their successful escape through timely guidance and planning."}
Concept: Adharma of deceitful violence contrasted with dharmic prudence and protection through wise counsel.
Application: In governance and personal life: recognize hostile intent, rely on trusted counsel, prepare exits and contingencies.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Samgraha (Mahabharata narrative synopsis)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blazing lac house at night; silhouettes of the Pāṇḍavas escaping while Kuntī directs them, smoke and flames behind, urgency and secrecy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic fire scene with stylized flames, Pāṇḍavas in motion guided by Kuntī, strong reds and blacks, expressive eyes, narrative border motifs indicating treachery.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, high-contrast fire-lit scene, embossed gold highlights on ornaments even amid crisis, Kuntī pointing the way, architectural depiction of the lac house with gilded accents, intense red-orange palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear architectural cutaway of the lac house, showing escape route, Kuntī counseling, controlled composition, fine linework and soft gradients for smoke.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, nocturnal palace fire with detailed architecture, figures escaping through a concealed passage, realistic smoke plumes, guards in confusion, refined color layering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"tense","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पाण्डवानदहत्→पाण्डवान् अदहत्; दग्धागाराद्विनिष्क्रान्ता→दग्ध-आगारात् विनिष्क्रान्ताः; मातृपृष्टास्तु→मातृ-पृष्टाः तु।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa: early Kaurava plots and Pāṇḍava exile arc
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as itihāsa-samgraha, summarizing a key Mahābhārata incident (the lac-house plot and escape).
By compressing major epic history into brief, reference-like statements, the Agni Purana serves as a compendium—preserving narrative chronology alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, arts).
It highlights adharma-driven violence (Duryodhana’s plot) and the protection that follows dharmic resilience and wise guidance, implying that malicious intent leads to downfall while righteousness finds a path to survival.