Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 7
मत्स्यावतारवर्णनम्
The Description of the Matsya Incarnation
स्थानमेतद्वचः श्रुत्वा राजाथोदञ्चने ऽक्षिपत् तत्र वृद्धो ऽब्रवीद्भूपं पृथु देहि पदं मनो
sthānametadvacaḥ śrutvā rājāthodañcane 'kṣipat tatra vṛddho 'bravīdbhūpaṃ pṛthu dehi padaṃ mano
ಈ ಮಾತುಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿ ರಾಜನು ಉತ್ತರ ದಿಕ್ಕಿನತ್ತ ಗಮನ ಹರಿಸಿದನು. ಆಗ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಒಬ್ಬ ವೃದ್ಧನು ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದನು—“ಓ ಪೃಥು, ನಿನ್ನ ಯೋಗ್ಯ ಸ್ಥಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಮನಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಿರಗೊಳಿಸು.”
Primary narrator: Lord Agni (to Vasiṣṭha); within the episode: an unnamed elder addressing King Pṛthu
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Frames kingship as orientation to rightful station and disciplined resolve; can be read as counsel on rajadharma—taking one’s proper place and acting with steadiness, including directional (uttara) auspiciousness in decision-making.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rajadharma Counsel: ‘Take Your Rightful Position’ (Pṛthu Address)","lookup_keywords":["rajadharma","Pṛthu","uttara disha","rightful position","counsel to king"],"quick_summary":"After hearing the words, the king turns toward the northern quarter; an elder advises Pṛthu to set his mind on his proper footing/position—an admonition toward stable, rightful rule."}
Concept: Svadharma and sthiti: a ruler must occupy the rightful station with mental steadiness (mano-niyama) and legitimacy (pada/sthāna).
Application: In leadership, clarify role-bound duties, establish stable authority, and act from considered counsel rather than impulse.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Narrative (Rajadharma / Kingship Episode)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king stands or sits in court or at a riverside camp, turning toward the northern direction; a venerable elder gestures instructively, advising him to take his rightful stance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with crown and simple regalia, elder sage with white beard pointing north, stylized compass-like directional motif, flat background with ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king Pṛthu with gold-embossed crown and jewelry, elder with halo-like aura of wisdom, north indicated by a small Kubera/dikpala emblem, rich reds and gold leaf.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic scene with directional arrow motif, elder instructing the king, balanced composition, soft shading suitable for a ‘rajadharma lesson’ plate.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature court scene, detailed textiles and architecture, elder advisor leaning toward the king, subtle northward cue via landscape and compass rose, refined facial expressions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sthānam etat vacaḥ → sthānametadvacaḥ; rājā atha → rājātha; udañcane akṣipat → udañcane 'kṣipat; vṛddhaḥ abravīt → vṛddho 'bravīt; abravīt bhūpam → abravīdbhūpam
Related Themes: Agni Purana rajadharma/kingly duties sections (where present); Agni Purana narrative transitions linking Manu cycle to royal exempla
FAQs
No explicit ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse conveys directional action (turning northward) and instructive counsel about assuming one’s proper station/step (padam) with a focused mind.
It illustrates the Purana’s narrative framework used to transmit practical governance ethics (rajadharma) and disciplined decision-making—one of the many knowledge streams embedded alongside ritual, medicine, and arts.
The counsel emphasizes steadiness of mind and rightful conduct (taking one’s proper “place/footing”), a common Puranic theme linking inner discipline with righteous rule and karmically sound action.