Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 10
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
देवासुराणां सङ्ग्रामा दायार्थं द्वादशाभवन् प्रथमो नारसिंहस्तु द्वितीयो वामनो रणः
devāsurāṇāṃ saṅgrāmā dāyārthaṃ dvādaśābhavan prathamo nārasiṃhastu dvitīyo vāmano raṇaḥ
Dalam perang antara para dewa dan asura, demi menegakkan bagian yang menjadi hak mereka, terjadilah dua belas perwujudan. Yang pertama Narasiṁha; yang kedua Vāmana di medan laga.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana’s encyclopedic teachings to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Provides a catalog-framework for remembering avatāra-manifestations tied to deva–asura conflict and the restoration of rightful shares (dāya), useful for teaching mythic history and ritual storytelling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Twelve manifestations in deva–asura war: Narasiṃha and Vāmana","lookup_keywords":["dvādaśa","deva-asura-saṅgrāma","Narasiṃha","Vāmana","dāya-artha"],"quick_summary":"Introduces a twelvefold manifestation scheme connected to deva–asura battles for rightful allotment; names Narasiṃha first and Vāmana second, emphasizing conflict-context."}
Alamkara Type: Sankhya (enumeration)
Weapon Type: Claws (Narasiṃha) / symbolic stride as conquest (Vāmana-Trivikrama)
Concept: Dharma as rightful allotment (dāya) upheld through avatāra-manifestation in cosmic conflict.
Application: In social/political disputes over entitlement, the ideal is restoration of rightful order rather than mere domination; power is legitimized by dharma.
Khanda Section: Avataras (Dashavatara and related incarnations in Deva–Asura context)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A two-panel sequence: Narasiṃha erupting in fury to protect dharma; Vāmana appearing as a small brāhmaṇa in a war-context, foreshadowing Trivikrama’s cosmic stride to reclaim the devas’ share.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural diptych: left Narasiṃha with flaming aura, tearing the asura on threshold; right Vāmana as dwarf brāhmaṇa with umbrella and kamaṇḍalu amid assembled devas/asuras, bold colors and stylized ornament.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore diptych with gold halos: Narasiṃha in dynamic pose with ornate frame; Vāmana richly adorned, small stature emphasized, gold-leaf detailing on garments and arch, devotional grandeur.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear iconographic labeling: Narasiṃha attributes (mane, claws) and Vāmana attributes (daṇḍa, kamaṇḍalu); balanced composition suitable for teaching avatāra identification.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative split scene: palace-threshold drama of Narasiṃha; courtly donation scene of Vāmana with Bali and attendants, fine architectural detail and subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devāsurāṇāṃ → deva + asurāṇām (dvandva + vowel sandhi); dvādaśābhavan → dvādaśa + abhavan (a + a sandhi); nārasiṃhastu → nārasiṃhaḥ + tu (visarga before t becomes s).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Daśāvatāra/avatāra catalogues and stotra sections; Agni Purana: deva–asura yuddha narratives and their sequencing
FAQs
It imparts avatāra-tattva: a doctrinal enumeration of Viṣṇu’s manifestations arising in Deva–Asura conflicts to restore the rightful due (dāya) and re-establish order.
By cataloguing incarnations (a theological taxonomy) within a historical-mythic frame (Deva–Asura war), it functions like a reference list—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark ‘compendium’ modes alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts.
Remembering Viṣṇu’s avatāras as restorers of dharma reinforces devotion and moral orientation: divine intervention is framed as protecting rightful order and correcting injustice, encouraging dharmic conduct.