Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
दैत्यः स गदया देवान् द्रावयामास वै रणे विष्णुना खड्गच्छिन्नानि दैत्यगात्राणि भूतले
daityaḥ sa gadayā devān drāvayāmāsa vai raṇe viṣṇunā khaḍgacchinnāni daityagātrāṇi bhūtale
そのダイティヤは棍棒（ガダー）を振るい、戦場において神々を退散させた。だが地上には、ヴィシュヌが剣で斬り落としたダイティヤたちの四肢が横たわっていた。
Agni (narrating puranic history to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Illustrates battlefield dynamics (morale, rout, decisive counterstrike) and the exemplary role of divine leadership in restoring order.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Deva–Daitya Yuddha: Gadā-prayoga and Viṣṇu’s Khadga-vadha","lookup_keywords":["daitya gadā","deva palāyana","khadga","viṣṇu yuddha","daitya-gātra cheda"],"quick_summary":"A daitya’s mace-charge routs the gods, but Viṣṇu’s sword-strikes reverse the battle by severing daitya limbs—showing how a single superior weapon-user can shift the tide."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (contrast) / Vyatireka (opposition)
Weapon Type: Mace (gadā) and Sword (khadga)
Concept: Adharma’s temporary surge is checked by divine order (Hari as protector of devas).
Application: Cultivate steadiness in crisis; rely on righteous leadership and disciplined response rather than panic.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Deva–Asura Yuddha (Puranic War Narrative / Itihasa-style episode)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A daitya swings a heavy mace, scattering devas; in the foreground Viṣṇu stands firm, sword flashing, with severed daitya limbs on the battlefield ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, ornate jewelry; Viṣṇu in vīra-bhāva with khadga, devas retreating, daitya with gadā mid-swing, stylized battlefield, lotus-like motifs, traditional facial features","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; central Viṣṇu with radiant prabhāmaṇḍala holding sword, devas behind in flight, daitya with mace, fallen daitya limbs rendered symbolically; rich reds and greens, heavy ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework and soft shading; instructional clarity: show mace-charge and sword countercut; labeled weapons (gadā/khadga) in Sanskrit callouts; balanced composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed armor and expressions; crowded battle scene with dynamic diagonals; Viṣṇu’s sword stroke captured mid-action, devas retreating, daitya with mace; naturalistic ground with scattered weapons"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: खड्गच्छिन्नानि = खड्ग-छिन्नानि; दैत्यगात्राणि = दैत्य-गात्राणि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on khadga and gadā-lakṣaṇa (weapon characteristics); Agni Purana avatāra and deva–asura yuddha narratives in adjacent adhyāyas
FAQs
The verse primarily conveys battlefield dynamics and weapon-usage terminology—gadayā (mace) and khaḍga (sword)—which aligns with the Agni Purāṇa’s broader Dhanurveda/weapon-vocabulary, rather than a ritual procedure.
Alongside ritual, polity, and medicine, the Agni Purāṇa preserves detailed puranic war narration with precise martial terms (mace, sword, rout, severing), functioning as a cultural record of ancient Indian military imagery and heroic theology.
It underscores the puranic theme that divine protection (Viṣṇu’s intervention) restores cosmic order when adharma rises—portraying the devas’ vulnerability and the ultimate re-establishment of dharma through the Lord’s power.