Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 19
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
जित्वा निःसार्य चाब्धिस्थञ् चकार बलसंस्तुतः क्षेमं तालवनं चक्रे हत्वा धेनुकगर्दभं
jitvā niḥsārya cābdhisthañ cakāra balasaṃstutaḥ kṣemaṃ tālavanaṃ cakre hatvā dhenukagardabhaṃ
જળમાં વસનારોને જીત્યા પછી બહાર હાંકી કાઢી, બલરામની સ્તુતિ પામી, તેણે ધેનુક નામના ગર્દભ-દૈત્યનો વધ કરી તાલવનને ક્ષેમ બનાવ્યું।
Agni (narrating Purāṇic account to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Portrays securing territory by eliminating threats (water-dwellers; Dhenuka) and restoring safe access to resources (forest, water).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Securing Tālavana: expulsion of aquatic threats and slaying Dhenuka","lookup_keywords":["Tālavana","Dhenuka","Balarāma-stuti","abdhistha","kṣema"],"quick_summary":"Kṛṣṇa defeats hostile beings associated with waters and, praised by Balarāma, makes Tālavana safe by killing the ass-demon Dhenuka—restoring security and prosperity to the region."}
Alamkara Type: Vīra-pradhāna varṇana (heroic description)
Weapon Type: Unspecified (hand-to-hand/divine strength typical of Dhenuka episode)
Concept: Protection of community includes making spaces safe (kṣema) by removing violent obstruction; righteous strength supports pastoral prosperity.
Application: In governance/community leadership, neutralize persistent threats, then restore safe access to livelihoods and shared resources.
Khanda Section: Avatara-Krishna-Charita (Vaishnava Itihasa Narrative)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a dense palm forest (Tālavana), Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma confront and slay the ass-demon Dhenuka; afterward the forest becomes safe, with Balarāma praising Kṛṣṇa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, lush stylized palm forest, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma in heroic poses, Dhenuka as ass-demon mid-attack, bold outlines and earthy palette, concluding panel with Balarāma’s approving gesture","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-haloed Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma framed by palm motifs, Dhenuka subdued at their feet, ornate jewelry and gold embossing, celebratory devotional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear forest setting with repeated palm trunks, action-focused depiction of demon defeat, followed by a calm ‘kṣema’ scene showing peaceful forest and praise gesture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed palm grove with depth, dynamic combat with Dhenuka, attendants/gopas watching, refined costumes, naturalistic landscape and expressive faces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाब्धिस्थञ् → च अब्धिस्थान् (अनुस्वार/नकार-लोप लेखभेद); अब्धिस्थान् = अब्धि-स्थाः (समास); बलसंस्तुतः = बलेन संस्तुतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana Avatāra-khaṇḍa: Balarāma-Kṛṣṇa joint exploits; Dhenuka/Tālavana episode cluster
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys a Purāṇic avatāra-episode where the land (Tālavana) is made kṣema—safe and fit for righteous dwelling—by removing hostile forces.
Alongside its many technical domains (ritual, polity, medicine, arts), the Agni Purāṇa preserves Itihāsa–Purāṇa narrative modules—here, Krishna’s demon-slaying—integrating theology, sacred geography, and dharma-oriented storytelling.
The act of destroying adharma (symbolized by Dhenuka and other hostile beings) restores kṣema (social and spiritual safety), portraying divine protection and the reestablishment of dharmic order in the world.