Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 18
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
पूतना स्तनपानेन सा हता हन्तुमुद्यता वृन्दावनगतः कृष्णः कालियं यमुनाह्रदात्
pūtanā stanapānena sā hatā hantumudyatā vṛndāvanagataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kāliyaṃ yamunāhradāt
मारने को उद्यत पूतना स्तनपान से ही मारी गई; और कृष्ण वृन्दावन जाकर यमुना के ह्रद से कालिय को निकालकर वश में कर लिया।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Teaches discernment against disguised harm (Pūtanā) and the subduing of toxic forces (Kāliya) for communal safety.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pūtanā-vadha and Kāliya-damana in Yamunā","lookup_keywords":["Pūtanā","stana-pāna","Kāliya","Yamunā-hrada","Vṛndāvana"],"quick_summary":"Kṛṣṇa destroys Pūtanā through suckling and later subdues Kāliya from the Yamunā pool, restoring safety and purity to Vṛndāvana’s environment."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/Pratīka (poison as adharma; purification as grace)
Weapon Type: Unarmed (bāla-śarīra) / divine prowess
Concept: The Lord protects the vulnerable and purifies polluted spaces; evil may appear in nurturing disguise, yet is overcome by divine discernment.
Application: Maintain vigilance against harmful appearances; prioritize community health by safeguarding water sources and removing toxic influences.
Khanda Section: Avataras (Krishna-Charita / Vaishnava Itihasa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two scenes: Pūtanā attempts to kill the infant with poisoned breast milk but is slain; later Kṛṣṇa draws out Kāliya from the Yamunā pool and subdues him atop the serpent’s hoods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic Pūtanā scene with stylized demoness and calm child Kṛṣṇa; second panel with Kṛṣṇa dancing on multi-hooded Kāliya in dark green-blue Yamunā, swirling waters, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-haloed Kṛṣṇa central, Pūtanā collapsing with ornate patterns; separate or combined composition with Kāliya-damana—Kṛṣṇa on serpent hoods, gold highlights on waves and jewelry, devotional grandeur","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative sequencing: Pūtanā’s deception and fall; Yamunā pool with serpent coils, Kṛṣṇa poised atop hoods, fine detailing and soft colors for readability","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic river pool with ripples, villagers and gopas watching from banks, Kṛṣṇa on serpent hoods, Pūtanā episode rendered with courtly realism and expressive faces, intricate landscape"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हन्तुमुद्यता → हन्तुम् उद्यता; यमुनाह्रदात् → यमुना-ह्रदात्
Related Themes: Agni Purana Avatāra-khaṇḍa: Pūtanā episode; Kāliya episode (adjacent narrative)
FAQs
This verse conveys avatāra-tattva and protective dharma: the Lord neutralizes lethal impurity (Pūtanā’s poisoned nursing) and subdues a toxic nāga (Kāliya), illustrating divine protection and purification rather than a procedural ritual.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa preserves concise avatāra narratives; this verse functions as a compact index of key Kṛṣṇa-līlās (Pūtanā-vadha, Kāliya-damana) within its broad, multi-topic compendium.
It underscores the purifying power of devotion to Kṛṣṇa: even deadly intent is overcome by the Lord, and the subjugation of Kāliya symbolizes the cleansing of inner and outer toxicity, encouraging surrender and trust in divine protection.