Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 10
मत्स्यावतारवर्णनम्
The Description of the Matsya Incarnation
को भवान् ननु वै विष्णुर् नारायण नमोस्तुते मायया मोहयसि मां किमर्थं त्वं जनार्दन
ko bhavān nanu vai viṣṇur nārāyaṇa namostute māyayā mohayasi māṃ kimarthaṃ tvaṃ janārdana
Who are you indeed? Surely you are Viṣṇu—Nārāyaṇa; obeisance be to you. Why do you bewilder me by your māyā, O Janārdana?
An unnamed devotee/seeker addressing Lord Viṣṇu (stotra-style direct address within Agni Purāṇa narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Model of devotional inquiry: identify the divine, offer obeisance, and ask the purpose behind bewilderment—useful for prayer and self-reflection.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Manu’s Recognition of Nārāyaṇa and Question on Māyā","lookup_keywords":["namo stute","Narayana","maya mohana","Janardana","identity inquiry"],"quick_summary":"Manu moves from wonder to devotion, saluting Nārāyaṇa and questioning the intent of māyā—framing a bhakti-infused philosophical inquiry."}
Alamkara Type: Praśna (rhetorical questioning) with sambodhana (direct address)
Concept: Māyā as divine power that veils/reveals; true knowledge begins with surrender plus inquiry into purpose (prayojana).
Application: In confusion, combine devotion (namas) with clear questioning; seek the dharmic purpose behind trials.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Vaishnava-Stuti (Devotional Dialogue / Stotra-context)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Manu, astonished yet devotional, folds hands and addresses the divine fish/Viṣṇu presence, questioning the play of māyā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Manu in añjali-mudrā before a radiant Matsya/Viṣṇu presence, stylized aura, sacred inscriptions feel, deep reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Manu kneeling with folded hands, Vishnu-Narayana indicated with gold halo and conch-disc symbolism subtly integrated, rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, calm devotional dialogue scene, Manu’s expressive face of inquiry, delicate jewelry, soft background wash, emphasis on gesture and gaze","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly figure Manu addressing a luminous divine figure emerging from waters, fine textiles, restrained palette, emphasis on dialogue posture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viṣṇur = viṣṇuḥ (visarga sandhi); namostute analyzed as namaḥ + tu + te.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on Viṣṇu stuti and avatara theology; Māyā discussions in Purana philosophical passages
FAQs
This verse conveys the theological principle of māyā-śakti (divine power of concealment/illusion) attributed to Viṣṇu, prompting discernment (viveka) rather than prescribing a specific external ritual.
Alongside its many practical domains (ritual, polity, medicine, arts), the Agni Purāṇa also preserves concise doctrinal statements—here, Vaiṣṇava identification (Viṣṇu=Nārāyaṇa=Janārdana) and the function of māyā—showing its breadth from practice to metaphysics.
Recognizing the Lord behind appearances and questioning delusion is framed as a movement toward right knowledge and surrender (namas), which supports purification of understanding and steadiness in devotion.