Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 14
Chapter 13 — कुरुपाण्डवोत्पत्त्यादिकथनं
Narration of the Origin of the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas, and Related Matters
ययौः पाञ्चालविषयं द्रौपद्यास्ते स्वयम्वरे सम्प्राप्ता बाहुवेधेन द्रौपदी पञ्चपाण्डवैः
yayauḥ pāñcālaviṣayaṃ draupadyāste svayamvare samprāptā bāhuvedhena draupadī pañcapāṇḍavaiḥ
તેઓ પાંચાલ દેશમાં ગયા. દ્રૌપદીના સ્વયંવરમાં બાહુવેધ (ધનુર્વિદ્યાના પરાક્રમ) દ્વારા પાંચ પાંડવોએ દ્રૌપદીને પ્રાપ્ત કરી.
Lord Agni (narrative voice of the Agni Purana, recounting Itihasa to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Highlights archery-based contest protocols and skill demonstration (lakṣya-vedha) as a model for martial training and epic narrative milestones.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pāñcāla Journey and Draupadī Svayaṃvara Won by Archery Feat","lookup_keywords":["Panchala","Draupadi svayamvara","bahu-vedha","archery contest","five Pandavas"],"quick_summary":"Records the move to Pāñcāla and the winning of Draupadī at her svayaṃvara through a decisive archery feat, marking the Pāṇḍavas’ re-entry into public life."}
Weapon Type: Bow (dhanus) and arrow (bāṇa)
Concept: Kṣātra-dharma expressed through skill, self-control, and rightful attainment; social order mediated by merit in public trials.
Application: In training and leadership: cultivate competence that can be demonstrated transparently; maintain composure in high-stakes evaluation.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Katha (Mahabharata narrative summary within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand svayaṃvara hall in Pāñcāla: Draupadī seated with garland, assembled kings, the archer performing the decisive shot, the five Pāṇḍavas present as a unit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, svayaṃvara mandapa with ornate pillars, Draupadī with lotus-like poise, archer drawing bow in dynamic posture, crowd of kings, rich warm palette and stylized facial features.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Draupadī enthroned with gold halo and heavy jewelry, archer in foreground aiming, gold leaf embellishments on pillars and ornaments, vibrant reds/greens, celebratory composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed instructional depiction of archery posture and bow-draw, svayaṃvara hall rendered with fine lines, Draupadī and judges clearly placed, emphasis on precision and narrative sequence.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elaborate court hall with patterned carpets and arches, Draupadī seated, archer mid-shot, attentive kings, delicate textiles and realistic spatial depth, refined color layering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"triumphant","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ययौः→ययुः (लिट् 3pl); द्रौपद्यास्ते→द्रौपद्याः ते; स्वयम्वरे→स्वयम्-वरे (अव्ययीभाव); पञ्चपाण्डवैः→पञ्च-पाण्डवैः (द्विगु)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa: Draupadī svayaṃvara and alliance formation
FAQs
It highlights dhanur-vidyā in practice—winning a svayaṃvara through a defined archery feat (bāhuvedha), emphasizing skill-based Kṣatriya qualification rather than a ritual instruction.
Alongside rituals and doctrines, the Agni Purana also compiles Itihāsa-style narrative summaries (here, Mahābhārata), preserving cultural history, social institutions like svayaṃvara, and martial ideals such as archery prowess.
The verse underscores dharma-aligned action: rightful attainment through personal discipline and prowess, portraying merit as arising from skill, restraint, and adherence to socially sanctioned forms (svayaṃvara).