Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 2
Chapter 16 — बुद्धाद्यवतारकथनम्
Narration of Buddha and Other Incarnations
रक्ष रक्षेति शरणं वदन्तो जग्मुरीश्वरम् मायमोहस्वरुपोसौ शुद्धोदनसुतो ऽभवत्
rakṣa rakṣeti śaraṇaṃ vadanto jagmurīśvaram māyamohasvaruposau śuddhodanasuto 'bhavat
“ರಕ್ಷಿಸು, ರಕ್ಷಿಸು” ಎಂದು ಶರಣು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾ ಅವರು ಈಶ್ವರನ ಬಳಿಗೆ ಹೋದರು. ಆ ಪ್ರಭು ಮಾಯಾಮೋಹಸ್ವರೂಪವನ್ನು ಧರಿಸಿ ಶುದ್ಧೋದನನ ಪುತ್ರನಾಗಿ ಅವತರಿಸಿದನು.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic history to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Explains the avatāra’s assumed role (Māyā-moha) and birth as Śuddhodana’s son; used to interpret sectarian history through purāṇic theodicy.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Māyā-moha-rūpa Buddha (Śuddhodana-suta)","lookup_keywords":["Māyāmoha","Śuddhodana","Buddhāvatāra","śaraṇāgati","deva-prārthanā"],"quick_summary":"Devas seek refuge in the Lord; he manifests as Māyā-moha and is born as Śuddhodana’s son—presenting Buddha as a divine manifestation with a specific cosmic function."}
Alamkara Type: Ukti (direct cry) and śaraṇāgati-vākya
Concept: Īśvara’s māyā can assume forms to accomplish cosmic ends; śaraṇāgati invokes divine response.
Application: Cultivate śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) in crisis; discern that appearances (māyā) may serve larger dharmic teleology in purāṇic worldview.
Khanda Section: Avataras and Sacred Histories (Buddha-avatara narrative within Purana-itihasa)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Devas, frightened, cry ‘Protect!’ and approach the Lord; the Lord manifests as Māyā-moha and takes birth as Śuddhodana’s son, suggesting a divine descent into a royal household.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, devas with folded hands in anxious posture before a radiant Lord, transition panel showing a serene princely infant/young ascetic with a subtle veil-like aura indicating māyā, stylized palace of Kapilavastu, rich reds/ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Lord granting refuge with gold halo, side vignette of royal palace and infant prince, heavy gold work on crowns and palace arches, devotional symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative clarity: devas pleading at top, below a palace scene with Śuddhodana and the newborn, delicate shading, restrained ornamentation, symbolic mist around the child to denote Māyā-moha","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined court scene of Śuddhodana’s palace with attendants, juxtaposed with a celestial assembly of devas petitioning, detailed textiles and architecture, subtle luminous effect around the child"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जग्मुरीश्वरम् = जग्मुः ईश्वरम्; स्वरुपोसौ = स्वरूपः असौ; सुतोऽभवत् = सुतः अभवत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 16.3–16.4 (effect of māyā-moha: delusion and sect formation)
FAQs
It conveys a doctrinal point rather than a ritual: beings seek “śaraṇa” (refuge) in the Lord, who can manifest a specific form (māyā-moha-svarūpa) to accomplish a cosmic purpose.
It exemplifies the Purana’s coverage of avatāra-histories and theological categories (īśvara, māyā, moha), integrating sacred genealogy (Śuddhodana) with metaphysical explanation—one strand of its wide-ranging compendium.
The verse emphasizes śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): turning to the Lord for protection is portrayed as the decisive spiritual act, while also warning that divine māyā can appear as bewilderment for world-ordering ends.