Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 17
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम्
Description of the War between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas
कर्णार्जुनाख्ये सङ्ग्रामे कर्णोरीनबधीच्छरैः द्वितीयाहनि कर्णस्तु अर्जुनेन निपातितः
karṇārjunākhye saṅgrāme karṇorīnabadhīccharaiḥ dvitīyāhani karṇastu arjunena nipātitaḥ
「カルナとアルジュナの合戦」と呼ばれる戦いにおいて、カルナは矢でオーリナを討ち倒した。だが二日目には、カルナ自身がアルジュナによって倒された。
Lord Agni (narrating puranic-itihāsa material to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Provides a concise battle-summary entry: key duel (Karṇa–Arjuna), notable casualty by arrows, and the decisive fall—useful for itihasa-sangraha memorization and martial exempla.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Karṇa–Arjuna Saṅgrāma: key outcomes (day-wise)","lookup_keywords":["Karna","Arjuna","sangrama","sharaih","dvitiyahani"],"quick_summary":"Records the duel’s salient results in compressed form: Karṇa’s arrow-kill of a named opponent and Karṇa’s own defeat by Arjuna on the second day."}
Alamkara Type: Itivrtta-sanksepa (narrative compression)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows (shara)
Concept: Even the greatest warriors meet reversal; prowess is subject to time, fate, and dharmic culmination.
Application: Cultivate humility and preparedness; treat victory/defeat as transient while adhering to righteous conduct.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Sangraha (Mahabharata narrative summary / Purana-itihāsa)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A focused duel tableau: Karṇa and Arjuna facing each other with bows drawn; fallen warrior struck by arrows; a subtle ‘second day’ sense via changing sky or camp banners.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal heroic figures; Karṇa and Arjuna mirrored with bows; arrows rendered as rhythmic lines; a fallen figure at their feet; bold reds and ochres conveying vira-rasa.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold detailing on quivers, crowns, and armor; central duel framed by ornate arch; arrows mid-flight; subdued background to keep attention on the two heroes.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean composition: two archers in correct stance (feet, torso twist, bow grip); arrows shown in sequence to imply day-wise outcome; calm but intense faces.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic battlefield corner with two champions; detailed textiles and armor; attendants and chariots in background; fallen opponent depicted with precise arrow wounds."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्णार्जुनाख्ये = कर्ण-अर्जुन-आख्ये; कर्णोरीनबधीच्छरैः = कर्णः + उरीणम् + अबधीत् + शरैः (अबधीत् + शरैः → अबधीच्छरैः); द्वितीयाहनि = द्वितीया-अहनि; कर्णस्तु = कर्णः + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihasa-sangraha (Mahabharata summary sequence); Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on dhanus and shara
FAQs
This verse conveys Dhanurveda-oriented battlefield narration: victory and defeat through śaraiḥ (arrows), emphasizing archery as the decisive martial technique.
By embedding an itihāsa (Mahābhārata) episode inside a Purāṇa, it integrates history-like war accounts with broader puranic teaching—showing the Agni Purana’s scope beyond ritual into martial and narrative traditions.
The verse underscores the instability of worldly triumph: even a victorious warrior who slays another may soon fall, pointing to karma, mortality, and the impermanence of martial success.