Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 8
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇana
Description of the Incarnation of Sri Rama
शैलूषं दुष्टगन्धर्वं सिन्धुतीरनिवासिनम् तक्षञ्च पुष्करं पुत्रं स्थापयित्वाथ देशयोः
śailūṣaṃ duṣṭagandharvaṃ sindhutīranivāsinam takṣañca puṣkaraṃ putraṃ sthāpayitvātha deśayoḥ
सिन्धु-तट पर निवास करने वाले दुष्ट गन्धर्व शैलूष को, तथा तक्ष और पुष्कर नामक पुत्रों को उनके-उनके प्रदेशों में स्थापित करके, वह आगे बढ़ा।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Model for delegating frontier/region governance by installing trusted (or at least designated) rulers/lineages in specific territories; useful for reading Purāṇic political geography and genealogy.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Installation of Śailūṣa, Takṣa, and Puṣkara in their regions (Sindhu-bank episode)","lookup_keywords":["Śailūṣa","Gandharva","Sindhu-tīra","Takṣa","Puṣkara"],"quick_summary":"The verse records a political-genealogical act: appointing/establishing figures in distinct regions, anchoring later territorial identities and lineages to named founders."}
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purana (Genealogies and Royal Installations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal figure formally installs Śailūṣa (a Gandharva) near the Sindhu riverbank and establishes Takṣa and Puṣkara as sons/rulers in their respective regions; attendants, banners, and river landscape indicate frontier governance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, ornate jewelry; a coronation/installation scene on the banks of the Sindhu river, Gandharva figure with celestial ornaments, royal priest performing abhiṣeka, palm trees and river waves stylized, symmetrical composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold leaf highlights; enthronement/installation with haloed royal patron, richly decorated throne, riverbank motif, Takṣa and Puṣkara presented as princes, heavy ornamentation and temple-like arch framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework and soft shading; courtly installation ceremony with labeled figures Śailūṣa, Takṣa, Puṣkara; emphasis on protocol—garlands, water-pot, royal seal, river in background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detail; riverside durbar scene with Indus flowing, tents and standards, a celestial-looking Gandharva being granted a territory, two young princes introduced; naturalistic landscape and court costumes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: takṣañca → takṣam + ca; sthāpayitvātha → sthāpayitvā + atha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihasa–Purana genealogical sequences around ch. 11 (contextual)
FAQs
This verse conveys administrative-royal practice: the appointment/installation (sthāpana) of persons as regional rulers or founders in specified lands.
Alongside ritual and doctrine, the Agni Purana preserves Itihāsa-style material—names, lineages, and the founding/assignment of territories—functioning as a cultural and political record.
By depicting orderly establishment of rulers and regions, the verse reflects the Purāṇic ideal of dharmic governance—stability of realms is treated as a support for dharma, sacrifice, and social well-being.