Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 51
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
विष्णुना जीवितो वाणो द्विबाहुः प्राब्रवीच्छिवम् त्वया यदभयं दत्तं वाणस्यास्य मया च तत्
viṣṇunā jīvito vāṇo dvibāhuḥ prābravīcchivam tvayā yadabhayaṃ dattaṃ vāṇasyāsya mayā ca tat
Mengenai Bāṇa yang diselamatkan nyawanya oleh Viṣṇu, Śiva yang berlengan dua berkata: “Ketakutan-sirna (abhaya) yang engkau anugerahkan kepada Bāṇa ini, aku pun meneguhkannya.”
Śiva (in dialogue context, confirming/echoing the boon of abhaya to Bāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Illustrates the ethics of granting protection (abhaya) and honoring boons across sectarian lines; useful for teaching reconciliation and vow-keeping.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Abhaya-boon affirmed for Bāṇa (Hari–Hara concord)","lookup_keywords":["Bāṇa spared","abhaya boon","Śiva two-armed","Viṣṇu mercy","boon confirmation"],"quick_summary":"After Bāṇa’s life is spared by Viṣṇu, Śiva confirms that the fearlessness granted to Bāṇa stands equally by both, emphasizing shared authority and protection."}
Concept: Abhaya (assurance of safety) once granted must be upheld; divine powers act in concord to protect the surrendered.
Application: Ethic for rulers/teachers: keep promises of safety; coordinate with allies to prevent retaliatory harm.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Puranic Narrative (Vaishnava–Shaiva reconciliation episodes)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: karuṇa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śiva in a serene two-armed form speaks to Viṣṇu, while Bāṇa stands nearby as the spared devotee, receiving confirmed protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple interior feel; Śiva dvibāhu with calm expression and minimal ferocity, Viṣṇu facing him; Bāṇa at side with folded hands; luminous halos, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore gold-work: Śiva and Viṣṇu seated/standing in dignified symmetry, heavy jewelry and halos; Bāṇa smaller in scale in añjali; emphasis on boon-confirmation serenity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: refined dialogue scene, clear hand gestures indicating speech and assurance; soft colors, elegant drapery; Bāṇa shown respectfully behind.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature courtly parley: Śiva and Viṣṇu in conversation, Bāṇa as a prince with attendants; fine textiles, architectural pavilion, delicate facial detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prābravīcchivam = prābravīt + śivam. yadabhayam = yat + abhayam. vāṇasyāsya = vāṇasya + asya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 12.50; Agni Purana 12.52
FAQs
It conveys the concept of abhaya-dāna (granting fearlessness/protection) as a formal divine assurance—an important puranic motif tied to boons and the ethics of sparing an enemy.
Beyond rituals and technical śāstras, the Agni Purana also preserves narrative theology: how boons are conferred, upheld, and harmonized among deities (here, Viṣṇu’s sparing and Śiva’s confirmation).
The verse highlights dharmic restraint and the sanctity of a granted boon: once fearlessness is given, it is to be honored—framing compassion and promise-keeping as spiritually weighty acts.