Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 43
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
शिवेन क्रीडतीं गौरीं दृष्ट्वोषा सस्पृहा पतौ तामाह गौरी भर्ता ते निशि सुप्तेति दर्शनात्
śivena krīḍatīṃ gaurīṃ dṛṣṭvoṣā saspṛhā patau tāmāha gaurī bhartā te niśi supteti darśanāt
ಶಿವನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಕ್ರೀಡಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಗೌರಿಯನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಉಷೆ ತನ್ನ ಪತಿಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಆಸೆಯಿಂದ ತುಂಬಿದಳು. ಅವಳು ಗೌರಿಗೆ—“ನಾನು ಕಂಡುದರಿಂದ, ನಿನ್ನ ಭರ್ತನು ರಾತ್ರಿ ನಿದ್ರಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವಂತೆ ತೋರುತ್ತದೆ” ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದಳು.
Agni (narrator) to Vasiṣṭha (frame narration), with Uṣā speaking within the episode
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Explains the psychological trigger for Uṣā’s longing and the interpersonal setup that leads to the dream/union motif; useful for kathā performance to transition from divine play (Śiva–Gaurī) to human desire and ensuing plot.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Uṣā’s longing upon seeing Śiva–Gaurī play","lookup_keywords":["Uṣā","Gaurī","Śiva","kṛīḍā","viraha"],"quick_summary":"Uṣā, seeing Gaurī sporting with Śiva, becomes eager for her own husband and speaks to Gaurī, inferring nocturnal intimacy/sleep. The verse seeds the romantic plot through observation and desire."}
Alamkara Type: Dhvanī (suggestion) of śṛṅgāra through indirect speech; also dṛṣṭānta-like inference from sight
Concept: Desire arises from saṅga/darśana (contact/seeing); speech and thought follow perception—hence the need for discernment.
Application: Mindfulness teaching in narrative form: guard impressions (dṛṣṭi) and channel desire within dharmic bounds (marriage/commitment).
Khanda Section: Puranic Narrative (Shiva–Parvati Lilā / Devī-Upākhyāna)
Primary Rasa: srngara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śiva and Gaurī play together; Uṣā watches with longing and speaks, hinting at nocturnal union/sleep.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva–Gaurī in playful līlā amid stylized garden, Uṣā at side with yearning expression, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, expressive eyes, gentle romantic mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, divine couple Śiva–Pārvatī central with gold halos and heavy ornament, Uṣā smaller at edge gazing longingly, decorative arch and floral motifs, luminous devotional-romantic tone.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined faces and soft palette, clear storytelling: Uṣā observing and speaking, Śiva–Gaurī in playful posture, emphasis on gesture and expression rather than grandeur.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate garden pavilion scene, Śiva–Gaurī seated in playful interaction, Uṣā peeking from a screen or doorway, delicate textiles, subtle romantic tension."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दृष्ट्वोषा → दृष्ट्वा उषा; तामाह → ताम् आह; सुप्तेति → सुप्ता इति
Related Themes: Agni Purana 12 (Uṣā–Aniruddha narrative build-up; leads into 12.44 vrata/dvādaśī timing)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; it is a narrative observation centered on darśana (what is seen) and the arising of desire/longing (spṛhā) in Uṣā.
Alongside ritual, law, and śāstric topics, the Agni Purana also preserves compact mythic episodes about major deities; this verse exemplifies its narrative layer (upākhyāna) that complements its instructional sections.
The verse highlights how perception (darśana) can trigger inner states like longing; implicitly it points to the need for awareness and restraint of desire, a recurring ethical-spiritual theme in Purāṇic literature.