Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 7
Varāhādy-avatāra-varṇana
Description of Varāha and Other Incarnations
स्तुतो ऽसौ वामनो भूत्वा ह्य् अदित्यां स क्रतुं ययौ बलेः श्रीयजमानस्य, राजद्वारे ऽगृणात् श्रुतिं
stuto 'sau vāmano bhūtvā hy adityāṃ sa kratuṃ yayau baleḥ śrīyajamānasya, rājadvāre 'gṛṇāt śrutiṃ
Thus praised, he became Vāmana; and indeed, together with Aditi, he went to Bali’s sacrificial rite—Bali, the illustrious patron of the yajña—and at the royal gate he recited a sacred Vedic formula.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic history to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Connects avatāra narrative with ritual protocol: approaching a yajña and uttering śruti/mantra at the royal gate; illustrates dharmic etiquette and mantra-recitation as purposeful speech.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vāmana approaches Bali’s yajña and recites a Vedic formula at the gate","lookup_keywords":["Vāmana","Bali yajña","śruti","mantra-ucchāra","rājadvāra"],"quick_summary":"Viṣṇu as Vāmana, praised by the gods, goes with Aditi to Bali’s sacrifice and recites a Vedic utterance at the royal gate—signaling a ritually valid request."}
Alamkara Type: Dhvani (suggestion): mantra at the threshold foreshadows cosmic ‘three steps’ outcome
Concept: Power is approached through dharmic forms—yajña, śruti, and proper entry—showing that cosmic correction can proceed via lawful ritual speech.
Application: In negotiations, begin with proper protocol and truthful, sanctified speech; respect thresholds—social and ritual—before making requests.
Khanda Section: Avataras (Vishnu Avatara-Katha / Puranic Narrative)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vāmana, accompanied by Aditi, arrives at Bali’s grand sacrifice; at the royal gate he recites a Vedic formula as priests and guards look on.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Vāmana small brāhmaṇa figure at ornate gateway, Aditi beside, yajña-fire and priests visible inside, flat bold colors, sacred symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gilded gateway and sacrificial pavilion, Vāmana with gold halo despite humble form, Aditi behind, priests with ladles, rich gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed yajña-śālā with implements, Vāmana at threshold reciting, Bali’s attendants observing, emphasis on ritual objects and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace gate scene with fine architecture, Vāmana reciting, Aditi veiled and regal, priests and courtiers in layered composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऽसौ = असौ; ह्य् = हि; राजद्वारे = राज-द्वारे; ऽगृणात् = अगृणात्
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Vāmana avatāra continuation (Bali’s gift and the three strides)
FAQs
It highlights yajña-protocol: the role of the yajamāna (sacrificial patron) and the power/appropriateness of śruti (Vedic formula) recited at a liminal entry point (the royal gate) when approaching a consecrated rite.
Alongside avatāra narrative, it embeds ritual vocabulary—kratu, yajamāna, śruti—and situates theology within a concrete ceremonial setting (Bali’s sacrifice), showing how the Purāṇa integrates devotion, kingship, and Vedic ritual practice.
It implies that sincere stuti (praise) invokes divine presence, and that approaching sacred action with śruti aligns one with dharma—making the encounter with divinity auspicious and spiritually transformative.