Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 3
Somavaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lunar Dynasty
कामवाणाभितप्ताङ्ग्यो नरदेव्यः सिषेविरे लक्ष्मीर् नरायणं त्यक्त्वा सिनीवाली च कर्दमम
kāmavāṇābhitaptāṅgyo naradevyaḥ siṣevire lakṣmīr narāyaṇaṃ tyaktvā sinīvālī ca kardamama
Afligidas en sus cuerpos por las flechas de Kāma (dios del deseo), aquellas mujeres divinas recurrieron a hombres mortales como consortes. Lakṣmī, abandonando a Nārāyaṇa, fue a Kardama; y Sinīvālī también (fue) a Kardama.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s dominant dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Moral-psychological teaching on kāma (desire) as a force that disrupts even divine order; used in discourse on self-restraint and narrative causality in genealogies.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kāma’s arrows—Divine women turning to mortal consorts (Lakṣmī–Kardama; Sinīvālī–Kardama)","lookup_keywords":["Kama-bana","Lakshmi","Kardama","Sinivali","stri-purusha-sambandha"],"quick_summary":"Depicts desire as an overpowering heat that drives extraordinary transgressions (divine-to-mortal unions), explaining lineage turns and warning of kāma’s destabilizing power."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/Utprekṣā-like imagery (desire as burning arrows)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows (metaphorical: Kāma’s flower-arrows)
Concept: Kāma is a powerful vṛtti that can eclipse discernment; even exalted beings are shown vulnerable, underscoring the need for dama (restraint) and viveka.
Application: Ethical instruction in controlling desire; for householders and ascetics, treat kāma as a force requiring regulation through vrata, japa, and disciplined conduct.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Puranic Narrative (Stri–Purusha sambandha / kama-prabhava episodes)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kāma aiming flower-arrows that cause divine women to burn with desire; Lakṣmī turning away from Nārāyaṇa and approaching sage Kardama; Sinīvālī also drawn toward Kardama—an emotionally charged mythic tableau.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Kāma with floral bow at one side, stylized flames/heat motifs around the women, Lakṣmī with lotus ornaments moving toward ascetic Kardama, Nārāyaṇa in calm posture in background, rich reds and greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Lakṣmī adorned with gold-embossed jewelry stepping toward Kardama, Kāma above with flower arrows, Nārāyaṇa shown serene, heavy gold work emphasizing divine figures","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined expressions showing inner turmoil, Kāma’s arrows rendered as delicate flower darts, Kardama as composed ascetic, narrative clarity with soft palette and fine borders","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, garden setting with Kāma as youthful archer, courtly depiction of Lakṣmī and attendants, Kardama as hermit near a hut, subtle emotional realism and detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: kāmavāṇābhitaptāṅgyo→kāma-vāṇa-abhitapta-aṅgyaḥ; lakṣmīr→lakṣmīḥ; (kardamama in IAST taken as kardamam).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: sections on dharma of self-control and conduct (ācāra); Agni Purana: other kāma/stri-sambandha narrative episodes in genealogical contexts
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys a narrative principle: kāma (desire) is portrayed as a force that can disturb even divine beings, leading to socially and cosmically consequential unions.
It exemplifies the Purana’s encyclopedic scope by preserving mythic genealogy and moral causality alongside technical sections elsewhere—using narrative to explain how desire influences lineages, relationships, and dharmic order.
The karmic takeaway is cautionary: unchecked desire (kāma), depicted as an external assault (Kāma’s arrows), can precipitate abandonment of rightful bonds and generate far-reaching outcomes, urging restraint and dharmic steadiness.