Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 21
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
अपां फेनमयो भूत्वा देवासुररणे हरन् वृत्रं देवहरं विष्णुर्देवधर्मानपालयत्
apāṃ phenamayo bhūtvā devāsuraraṇe haran vṛtraṃ devaharaṃ viṣṇurdevadharmānapālayat
ដោយក្លាយជារូបដូចជាធ្វើពីពពុះទឹក វិෂ್ಣុ ក្នុងសង្គ្រាមរវាងទេវតា និងអសុរ បានសម្លាប់ វ្រឹត្រ—អ្នកលួចយកទ្រព្យទេវតា—ហើយដោយហេតុនោះ បានថែរក្សាធម៌របស់ព្រះទេវតា។
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vashistha, Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Conveys the motif of divine intervention to restore dharma; useful for teaching symbolic cosmology (water-foam form) and the safeguarding of deva-dharma.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Foam-of-waters manifestation and the slaying of Vṛtra to protect deva-dharma","lookup_keywords":["Apāṃ phena","Vṛtra-vadha","Viṣṇu","Deva–Asura battle","Dharma protection"],"quick_summary":"Viṣṇu assumes a water-foam-like form and kills Vṛtra, the despoiler of the gods, thereby preserving the dharmic order of the devas."}
Alamkara Type: Utprekṣā (as if made of foam)
Concept: Dharma/ṛta is preserved by removing obstruction; the divine assumes forms suited to the cosmic task (upāya).
Application: In personal practice and ethics, treat ‘obstructions’ (inner vṛtra: inertia, greed) as primary targets; remove them to restore clarity and right action.
Khanda Section: Avataras and Deva-Asura Itihasa (Puranic Mythology)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vīra
Type: Cosmic element
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A surging ocean scene: Viṣṇu appears as a luminous froth/foam-bodied figure rising from waters; Vṛtra, a massive serpent-like demon, is struck down; devas watch as the waters and order are freed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized waves and froth; Viṣṇu with foam-like aura, blue-green palette; Vṛtra as dark coiling serpent; devas in the sky with halos; dramatic yet flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu emerging from waters with gold-highlighted foam aura; Vṛtra as ornate serpent-demon; devas in upper register; rich blues with gold accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed wave patterns and froth; clear depiction of Viṣṇu’s unusual ‘foam-body’ effect; Vṛtra’s coils and defeat shown with instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, finely painted river/ocean with white froth; Viṣṇu rising luminous; Vṛtra as dragon-serpent; devas as onlookers in the margins; intricate naturalistic water texture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Megh","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवासुररणे = देव-असुर-रणे; विष्णुर्देवधर्मानपालयत् = विष्णुः देव-धर्मान् अपालयत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Viṣṇu’s protective deeds catalogues; deva–asura conflict summaries
FAQs
This verse primarily imparts dharma-vidya in narrative form: the principle that divine power manifests in whatever form is necessary to remove obstruction (Vṛtra) and protect cosmic and social order (deva-dharma).
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana preserves itihāsa–purāṇa narratives that encode theology and dharma: Vishnu’s adaptive manifestation and the defeat of obstructive forces becomes a doctrinal anchor for other practical sections (rajadharma, rites, expiations) that depend on maintaining dharmic order.
Spiritually, it affirms that protecting dharma is a supreme merit-bearing act and that the removal of obstruction (vṛtra as “blocker”) is aligned with divine will; karmically, supporting dharma and resisting adharma are portrayed as sustaining the world’s rightful order.