Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 29
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
रामकृष्णौ च मथुरां त्यक्त्वा गोमन्तमागतौ जरासन्धं विजित्याजौ पौण्ड्रकं वासुदेवकं
rāmakṛṣṇau ca mathurāṃ tyaktvā gomantamāgatau jarāsandhaṃ vijityājau pauṇḍrakaṃ vāsudevakaṃ
ರಾಮಕೃಷ್ಣರು ಮಥುರೆಯನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿ ಗೋಮಂತ ಪರ್ವತಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದರು; ಯುದ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ಜರಾಸಂಧನನ್ನು ಜಯಿಸಿ, ಪೌಂಡ್ರಕ ವಾಸುದೇವನನ್ನೂ ಪರಾಜಯಗೊಳಿಸಿದರು।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic history to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Shows strategic withdrawal/relocation and subsequent victories; teaches adaptive strategy—choosing terrain and timing rather than clinging to a vulnerable position.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Departure from Mathurā to Gomanta; victories over Jarāsandha and Pauṇḍraka","lookup_keywords":["Gomanta","Jarāsandha","Pauṇḍraka","Rāma-Kṛṣṇa","Mathurā"],"quick_summary":"Rāma and Kṛṣṇa leave Mathurā for Mount Gomanta, defeat Jarāsandha in battle, and overcome Pauṇḍraka Vāsudeva—highlighting mobility, terrain choice, and neutralizing rival claimants."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkṣepa (compressed narration) of multiple exploits
Weapon Type: General battle (implied), likely bow/club/sword in broader tradition
Concept: Dharma-protection may require flexible means—relocation, regrouping, and confronting both military and ideological threats.
Application: Adopt adaptive strategy in crises: change environment, reduce exposure, then act from strength; address both direct attacks and misinformation/false identity claims.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Itihasa-Purana Narrative (Krishna-Charita / Yadava Episodes)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma and Kṛṣṇa depart Mathurā and arrive at Mount Gomanta; battle scenes show Jarāsandha’s defeat and the subduing of Pauṇḍraka Vāsudeva.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triptych composition: departure from city, arrival at stylized mountain Gomanta, then battle vignettes; Kṛṣṇa dark-hued and Balarāma fair, dynamic poses, bold outlines and decorative landscape motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central mountain scene with gold-highlighted rocky forms; Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma with halos; side panels of battles with ornate weapons and gilded borders; rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear narrative sequencing: path from Mathurā to mountain, then two separate combat panels labeled by figures; fine linework and soft shading for terrain and armor.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape with mountain pass; marching retinue; battle with Jarāsandha in one register and Pauṇḍraka in another; realistic textiles, banners, and horses."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gomantamāgatau = gomantam + āgatau (vowel sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Kṛṣṇa-carita: Jarāsandha conflicts; Pauṇḍraka episode (elsewhere in Kṛṣṇa narratives)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as an itihāsa-style historical summary of key Krishna–Balarāma martial episodes (movement from Mathurā and victories over hostile kings).
It illustrates how the Agni Purāṇa compiles and compresses major Purāṇic/epic narratives—cataloging rulers, places, and conflicts—alongside its many technical sections, thereby serving as a broad reference text.
By recalling Viṣṇu’s (Kṛṣṇa’s) protection of dharma through the defeat of oppressive rulers and impostors, the verse reinforces the Purāṇic theme that divine intervention restores moral order and removes adharma.