Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 6
Kūrma-avatāra-varṇana (The Description of the Tortoise Incarnation) — Samudra Manthana and the Reordering of Cosmic Prosperity
विष्णूक्तां संविदं कृत्वा दैत्यैः क्षीराब्धिमागताः ततो मथितुमारब्धाः यतः पुच्छन्ततः सुराः
viṣṇūktāṃ saṃvidaṃ kṛtvā daityaiḥ kṣīrābdhimāgatāḥ tato mathitumārabdhāḥ yataḥ pucchantataḥ surāḥ
विष्णु द्वारा कही गई संधि दैत्यों के साथ करके देवगण क्षीरसागर में आए। फिर उन्होंने सर्प-रज्जु से मंथन आरम्भ किया और देवता वासुकि के पुच्छ-भाग को पकड़कर खड़े हुए।
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana’s account to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Models alliance-making and role-allocation in high-risk collective enterprises; frames ritual-cosmic cooperation as a template for coordinated action.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Samudra-manthana: Viṣṇu-mediated Deva–Daitya pact and commencement of churning","lookup_keywords":["samudra-manthana","kṣīrābdhi","daitya-sandhi","vāsuki-rajjū","deva-asura"],"quick_summary":"After accepting Viṣṇu’s terms, Devas and Daityas assemble at the Milk Ocean and begin churning, with the Devas positioned at the serpent’s tail end—an early cue to the episode’s strategic asymmetry."}
Concept: Collective endeavor requires agreed norms (saṃvid) and disciplined role-division; outcomes depend on adherence to the pact and right placement.
Application: In governance or institutions, formalize agreements and assign roles before undertaking hazardous, shared projects.
Khanda Section: Puranic Narratives (Samudra-manthana / Devasura Alliance)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Cosmic Ocean
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Devas and Daityas stand on opposite sides of Vāsuki used as a churning rope around Mount Mandara at the Milk Ocean, beginning the churning after a pact; the Devas are shown holding the tail end.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vibrant colors, Devas and Asuras in profile around Mandara in the Milk Ocean, Vāsuki as rope, Devas gripping tail end, ornate jewelry, lotus motifs, sacred ocean waves, traditional mural borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, rich reds and greens, gold foil highlights on crowns and ornaments, Mandara centered, Vāsuki rope encircling, Devas at tail end, Asuras at head end, stylized Milk Ocean, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework and soft shading, instructional clarity: pact concluded then churning begins, labeled-like composition with Devas at tail end, Mandara and Vāsuki clearly rendered, gentle pastel ocean","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing and naturalistic faces, crowded collaborative scene at the Milk Ocean, Mandara as central axis, Vāsuki rope, Devas at tail end, Asuras opposite, patterned water and sky, courtly palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णूक्तां = विष्णु-उक्ताम्; क्षीराब्धिमागताः = क्षीराब्धिम् + आगताः; मथितुमारब्धाः = मथितुम् + आरब्धाः; पुच्छन्ततः = पुच्छन् + ततः (पदच्छेदे अव्यय-योगः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Samudra-manthana sequence (same adhyāya cluster: emergence of poison, Lakṣmī, jewels)
FAQs
It conveys the procedural setup of the Samudra-manthana episode—forming a binding pact (saṃvid) under Viṣṇu’s counsel and assigning roles (Devas at the tail-end) before commencing the churning.
By preserving a structured cosmological narrative (Samudra-manthana) that later underpins multiple Purāṇic discussions—divine strategy, cooperation/conflict ethics, and the origin-context for sacred substances and boons described across Purāṇas.
The verse highlights dharmic order through divine guidance: even rival powers act within a divinely framed agreement, implying that success and “fruits” arise when actions proceed under right counsel and cosmic alignment.