Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 8
Chapter 16 — बुद्धाद्यवतारकथनम्
Narration of Buddha and Other Incarnations
कल्की विष्णुयशःपुत्रो याज्ञवल्क्यपुरोहितः उत्सादयिष्यति म्लेच्छान् गृहीतास्त्रः कृतायुधः
kalkī viṣṇuyaśaḥputro yājñavalkyapurohitaḥ utsādayiṣyati mlecchān gṛhītāstraḥ kṛtāyudhaḥ
Kalki, fils de Viṣṇuyaśas, avec Yājñavalkya pour prêtre familial (purohita), exterminera les Mlecchas, ayant saisi ses armes et étant pleinement équipé pour le combat.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic knowledge to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Mythic-ethical template: when adharma peaks, righteous force (danda) under dharmic guidance restores order; inspires disciplined preparedness and principled defense.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kalki Avatara: Armed Restoration and Yājñavalkya as Purohita","lookup_keywords":["Kalki","Viṣṇuyaśas","Yājñavalkya","mleccha-nāśa","astra"],"quick_summary":"Kalki, son of Viṣṇuyaśas, with Yājñavalkya as priest, takes up weapons to destroy mleccha forces. The verse links spiritual authority (purohita) with righteous martial action."}
Weapon Type: Sword/Bow (generic ‘astra’ implied)
Concept: When adharma becomes dominant, divine intervention manifests as dharma-protecting force guided by śāstra and brahminical counsel.
Application: Balance power with wisdom: ensure force is accountable to dharma (purohita/śāstra guidance), not personal rage or greed.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Kali-yuga Prophecy (Eschatology / Yuga-dharma)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kalki as a radiant warrior, fully armed, advancing to rout mleccha forces; beside/behind him stands sage Yājñavalkya as purohita, holding a staff or scripture, blessing and advising.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Kalki in dynamic stride with weapons, haloed, mleccha army in retreat, Yājñavalkya as serene sage with palm-leaf text, bold flat colors, rhythmic battle composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, iconic Kalki with gold halo and ornate armor, gold-leaf weapon highlights, Yājñavalkya in saffron with scripture, enemies minimized below, temple-arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework: Kalki’s armament clearly rendered (quiver, sword, shield), Yājñavalkya gesturing counsel, instructional clarity with soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, cavalry/battlefield scene with detailed armor and banners, Kalki central, sage figure at edge giving benediction, landscape depth and fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णुयशःपुत्रो = विष्णु-यशः-पुत्रः (विसर्ग-सन्धि, ओ-आदेशः); गृहीतास्त्रः = गृहीत-अस्त्रः; कृतायुधः = कृत-आयुधः
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Avatara narratives (Kalki and other avatāras); Agni Purana: Dhanurveda/weapon discussions (where present)
FAQs
It conveys the rajadharmic-purāṇic model of dharma-restoration: a divinely appointed ruler/avatāra acts with legitimate force, supported by a purohita (priestly authority), to remove adharma from society.
Alongside ritual, mantra, and temple topics, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves yuga-theory and avatāra history—integrating theology, political order (purohita–kṣatriya alliance), and social ethics into a single compendium.
The verse frames the end of Kali as a karmic correction: adharma ripens into collective suffering, and divine intervention restores conditions for sattva and righteous living, re-establishing the path of merit (puṇya) and liberation-oriented practice.