Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 34
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
जित्वा पञ्चजनं दैत्यं यमेन च सुपूजितः रजकञ्च प्रजल्पन्तमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः अबधीत् कालयवनं मुचुकुन्देन पूजितः
jitvā pañcajanaṃ daityaṃ yamena ca supūjitaḥ rajakañca prajalpantamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ abadhīt kālayavanaṃ mucukundena pūjitaḥ
Après avoir vaincu le daitya Pañcajana, il fut honoré avec grande vénération même par Yama. Il tua aussi Kālayavana—(selon une leçon manuscrite marquée : «et le blanchisseur qui parlait avec insolence»)—et fut révéré par Mucukunda.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana frame: Agni instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Presents exemplars of heroic conflict (daitya-vadha), alliances/boons (honored by Yama), and tactical victory over an aggressive invader (Kālayavana) via Mucukunda—useful for dharma-kathā and for illustrating strategy beyond brute force.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pañcajana-vadha, Kālayavana-nāśa, and honor by Yama and Mucukunda","lookup_keywords":["Pañcajana","Kālayavana","Yama-pūjā","Mucukunda","variant reading (rajaka)"],"quick_summary":"Kṛṣṇa defeats Pañcajana and Kālayavana and receives honor from Yama and Mucukunda; the episode highlights both valor and strategic use of circumstances (Mucukunda’s boon) to neutralize a foe."}
Alamkara Type: Itivṛtta with pathya-variant note (pāṭhāntara)
Concept: Dharma is upheld through both valor and wise strategy; honoring the righteous (Yama, Mucukunda) aligns power with moral order.
Application: Conflict ethics: prefer minimal-casualty solutions; use lawful alliances and strategic planning to neutralize threats.
Khanda Section: Avataras / Krishna-Charita (Puranic narrative of divine exploits)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kṛṣṇa’s victories: Pañcajana subdued; a cave scene where Kālayavana rushes in and is destroyed by Mucukunda’s awakened fiery glance; Yama and Mucukunda shown honoring Kṛṣṇa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic cave interior with bold outlines; Mucukunda reclining, Kālayavana aflame from the gaze, Kṛṣṇa calm and radiant; side vignette of Yama honoring Kṛṣṇa with attendants.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central cave episode with gold-highlighted flames and halos; Kṛṣṇa with ornate crown; Mucukunda with regal ornaments; decorative borders and rich gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: sequential storytelling panels—Pañcajana-vadha, cave tactic, and honor scenes; fine linework, subdued colors, clear gestures for instruction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: chiaroscuro-like cave depth, dynamic Kālayavana movement, Mucukunda’s intense gaze rendered with flame motifs; courtly Yama scene in a separate register."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rajakañca = rajakam ca (anusvāra + c → ñc). Text contains editorial insertions: 'iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ' treated as variant-note tokens.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 12 (Kālayavana and Mucukunda episode; Pañcajana episode)
FAQs
This verse is primarily itihāsa-purāṇa narrative (Krishna’s exploits), not a ritual manual; its ‘practical’ takeaway is the exemplar of dharmic heroism—subduing destructive forces and receiving honor from righteous authorities (Yama, Mucukunda).
By preserving pan-Indic narrative cycles (Pañcajana, Kālayavana, Mucukunda) alongside other disciplines elsewhere in the text, it shows the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope—integrating sacred history and ethical exemplars with later chapters on polity, ritual, and sciences.
The verse underscores that the destruction of adharmic aggressors and protection of order brings recognition from dharmic powers (Yama) and saintly kings (Mucukunda), presenting righteous action as a source of merit and divine esteem.