Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 39
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
कामस्त्वं शम्भुनानङ्गः कृतोहं शम्बरेण च हृता न तस्य पत्नी त्वं मायाज्ञः शम्बरं जहि
kāmastvaṃ śambhunānaṅgaḥ kṛtohaṃ śambareṇa ca hṛtā na tasya patnī tvaṃ māyājñaḥ śambaraṃ jahi
Tu es Kāma—que Śambhu fit Ananga (l’Incorporel). Moi aussi, j’ai été enlevée par Śambara. Tu n’es pas son époux; toi qui connais les arts de l’illusion (māyā), tue Śambara.
Rati (Kāma’s consort), addressing Kāma
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Identifies the hero as Kāma reborn/manifest (Ananga) and gives a mission: use māyā-knowledge to defeat Śambara—useful for narrating dharma-restoration through divine purpose.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Kāma as Ananga and the Command to Slay Śambara","lookup_keywords":["Kama Ananga","Shambhu burns Kama","Shambara slaying","Mayavati Rati","maya-jnana"],"quick_summary":"Māyāvatī reveals identity: ‘You are Kāma made bodiless by Śambhu.’ She urges him—skilled in māyā—to kill Śambara and restore rightful order."}
Alamkara Type: Ākhyāna-vākya (direct speech)
Concept: Rightful identity and duty override coercive claims; adharma (abduction/usurpation) must be ended by righteous action.
Application: Frame ethical response to injustice: discern truth, reject illegitimate bonds, and act decisively to remove the oppressor.
Khanda Section: Purana-Katha (Mythic Narrative: Deva–Asura conflicts and divine missions)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Māyāvatī (Rati) addresses the revealed Kāma/Pradyumna, recounting Śiva’s burning of Kāma and urging him to slay the asura Śambara; tension before heroic action.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Māyāvatī pointing in admonition, youthful hero listening with resolve, faint symbolic Śiva with flame in background vignette, Śambara depicted as looming asura, bold outlines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central duo with gold halos, speech-gesture emphasized, background medallion showing Śiva’s fiery act, Śambara as dark antagonist at edge, heavy ornamentation and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, narrative clarity: Māyāvatī instructing, hero poised to depart, inset panel of Śiva burning Kāma, clean lines and subdued colors for didactic storytelling.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate counsel scene in palace chamber, expressive faces, detailed textiles; marginal vignette of Śiva’s flame episode; distant depiction of Śambara’s fortress."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कामस्त्वं = कामः + त्वम्; शम्भुनानङ्गः = शम्भुना + अनङ्गः; कृतोहं = कृतः + अहम्; मायाज्ञः = माया + ज्ञः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 12.37–12.38 (setup: fish transfer and recognition); Agni Purana narrative blocks on asura-vadha motifs (general)
FAQs
It highlights māyā-jñāna—skill in recognizing and countering illusion—framed as practical discernment needed to overcome demonic deception.
Alongside ritual and technical sections elsewhere, this narrative preserves theological-historical lore (itihāsa-style purāṇic kathā) explaining divine roles (Kāma as Ananga) and ethical action against adharma (Śambara).
The instruction to destroy the adharmic oppressor affirms dharma: resisting coercion and deception is portrayed as righteous action that restores cosmic order.