Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 4
पाण्डवचरितवर्णनम्
The Account of the Pāṇḍavas
यादवानां भारकरं वज्रं राज्येभ्यषेचयत् देवदेशात् प्रभासे स देहं त्यक्त्वा स्वयं हरिः
yādavānāṃ bhārakaraṃ vajraṃ rājyebhyaṣecayat devadeśāt prabhāse sa dehaṃ tyaktvā svayaṃ hariḥ
ಹರಿಯು ಸ್ವತಃ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರವಹ ‘ವಜ್ರ’ವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಾದುರ್ಭವಗೊಳಿಸಿ, ದೇವದೇಶ ಪ್ರಭಾಸದಲ್ಲಿ ದೇಹವನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿದನು।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic history to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Frames the theological meaning of Krishna’s departure and the end of a dynasty as a dharmic closure to an avatara-lila; used in discourse on impermanence and righteous withdrawal from worldly roles.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hari’s Deha-tyaga at Prabhāsa and the Emergence of Vajra","lookup_keywords":["Prabhāsa","deha-tyāga","Vajra (Yādava)","Krishna departure","Yādava end"],"quick_summary":"The verse narrates Hari’s voluntary casting off of the body at the sacred Prabhāsa after the fateful ‘Vajra’ becomes the instrument that precipitates the Yādava dissolution; it is read as divine self-withdrawal rather than ordinary death."}
Concept: Even divine līlā concludes through time (kāla) and ordained causality; the body is relinquished while the imperishable principle remains.
Application: Cultivate vairāgya and interpret life-transitions as occasions for dharmic completion rather than despair.
Khanda Section: Avataras / Itihasa-Purana Narrative (Krishna-Yadava Prasanga)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the seashore tīrtha of Prabhāsa, Krishna/Hari serenely relinquishes the body; the atmosphere is twilight-like, with sacred geography and a sense of cosmic closure; the ‘Vajra’ motif is suggested as the fated instrument behind the Yādava end.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: Prabhāsa seashore with stylized waves, Krishna in serene posture under sacred trees, attendants distant, muted dusk palette, divine aura, minimal narrative symbols of Vajra and Yādava dissolution.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central Krishna with radiant prabhāmaṇḍala, gold-leaf highlights, Prabhāsa tīrtha indicated by ornate ocean border, symbolic Vajra/club motif in corner, devotional solemnity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: refined linework, soft shading; depict Prabhāsa landscape, Krishna’s calm deha-tyāga moment with subtle iconographic cues, explanatory cartouche-like detailing of place-name.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: coastal Prabhāsa with detailed flora and shoreline, Krishna seated/recumbent in composed withdrawal, small figures of distant Yādavas, narrative vignette of Vajra motif, naturalistic color and fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राज्येभ्यषेचयत् = राज्येभ्यः + अषेचयत्; देवदेशात् = देव-देशात् (समास); भारकरं = भार-करम् (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dvārakā-kṣetra and avatāra narratives (Krishna/Yādava cycle); Agni Purana: tīrtha-māhātmya sections referencing Prabhāsa (where present)
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys Itihāsa-Purāṇa narrative knowledge—linking a named weapon (Vajra) and the Prabhāsa tīrtha to the ordained end of the Yādavas and Hari’s bodily departure.
It preserves sacred history and tīrtha-geography (Prabhāsa) alongside doctrinal themes of divine līlā and cosmic order—showing that the Agni Purāṇa encyclopedically includes not only rituals and sciences but also avatāra narratives and pilgrimage-context.
It underscores that even divine incarnations end their manifest body by will, and that collective downfall (the Yādavas) unfolds through destiny and prior causes—encouraging detachment and faith in dharma and cosmic order.