Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 13
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम्
Description of the War between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas
दौर्योधनी महासेना हस्त्यश्वरथपत्तिनी धृष्टद्युम्नाधिपतिता द्रोणः काल इवाबभौ
dauryodhanī mahāsenā hastyaśvarathapattinī dhṛṣṭadyumnādhipatitā droṇaḥ kāla ivābabhau
La vaste armée de Duryodhana—faite d’éléphants, de chevaux, de chars et d’infanterie—bien que commandée par Dhṛṣṭadyumna, parut, face à Droṇa, semblable au Temps (à la Mort) lui-même.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana’s account to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Army taxonomy (hasty-aśva-ratha-patti) and psychological warfare via simile (enemy as Kāla); useful for understanding classical Indian military classification and morale impact.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Caturaṅga-bala: Elephants, Horses, Chariots, Infantry","lookup_keywords":["caturaṅga","hastī","aśva","ratha","patti"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates the fourfold army and frames the opposing commander’s presence as ‘Time/Death,’ highlighting both organization and battlefield perception."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (Droṇa like Kāla)
Weapon Type: Composite battlefield arms (elephant corps, cavalry, chariots, infantry)
Concept: Material power (organized force) and perceived inevitability (Kāla) shape outcomes.
Application: In strategy, combine force-structure with reputation/psychological advantage; train leaders to read enemy morale.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Mahabharata-katha (Puranic retelling of epic warfare and heroes)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand fourfold army with elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry; Droṇa stands formidable, likened to Kāla, facing the host under Dhṛṣṭadyumna.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, layered ranks: elephants with bells, horses, chariots, foot soldiers; Droṇa rendered larger-than-life with stern gaze, dark aura suggesting Kāla, flat bold colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Droṇa with gold aura, four unit-types arranged symmetrically around, ornate caparisons and chariot detailing, gold leaf highlights on weapons and ornaments","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity of caturaṅga: each corps distinct, commander figures foreground, fine linework and gentle shading for equipment","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous depiction of elephants and cavalry, banners and drums, Droṇa as focal figure with darker tonal contrast, dynamic battlefield depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इवाबभौ → इव अबभौ.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Dhanurveda-related chapters on army divisions and weapons (general connection); Agni Purāṇa Itihāsa-saṃgraha Mahābhārata synopsis sections describing caturaṅga
FAQs
It conveys military science (Dhanurveda/Rajaniti) through the standard fourfold army formation—elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry—and emphasizes the decisive impact of a single master-warrior (Droṇa) on battlefield outcomes.
Alongside rituals, cosmology, and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves Itihasa material and practical statecraft/military categories (like the caturaṅga-bala), showing its broad coverage of knowledge domains from worship to warfare.
By likening Droṇa to Kāla, the verse underscores impermanence and the inevitability of destruction in war—an implicit reminder that pride and violence culminate in time-bound ruin, urging discernment (dharma) amid conflict.