Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 24
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
देवासुरे रणे यश् च दैत्यः कोलाहलो जितः पालिताश् च सुराः सर्वे विष्णुना धर्मपालनात्
devāsure raṇe yaś ca daityaḥ kolāhalo jitaḥ pālitāś ca surāḥ sarve viṣṇunā dharmapālanāt
ದೇವಾಸುರ ಯುದ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ‘ಕೋಲಾಹಲ’ ಎಂಬ ದೈತ್ಯನು ಸೋಲಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟನು; ಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಪಾಲಿಸುವ ವಿಷ್ಣುವು ಎಲ್ಲ ದೇವರನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿದನು।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic account to Vasiṣṭha, traditional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Illustrates the doctrine that Viṣṇu’s function is dharma-protection in conflict; supports teaching on moral legitimacy of defending order against chaos.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kolāhala’s defeat in Deva–Asura war and Viṣṇu as Dharma-protector","lookup_keywords":["Deva-Asura yuddha","Kolāhala daitya","Viṣṇu","dharma-pālana","sura-rakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"In the gods-versus-demons war, the demon Kolāhala is subdued and the gods are protected, explicitly attributing victory to Viṣṇu’s dharma-upholding role."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-śleṣa (suggestive): ‘Kolāhala’ as both a named daitya and ‘tumult’
Weapon Type: General divine weapons (cakra/gadā implied by Viṣṇu’s battle role)
Concept: Dharma is an active principle maintained through protection and the defeat of adharma; Viṣṇu embodies this sustaining function.
Application: Ethical framing for conflict resolution: prioritize safeguarding the community and restoring lawful order over vengeance.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purana Kathana (Devasura-yuddha / Vishnu-stuti context)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mythic battlefield where the daitya Kolāhala is overcome; Viṣṇu stands as the stabilizing center while devas regroup under his protection, the chaos of war visually ‘quieted’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: crowded battle tableau with stylized weapons and banners; Viṣṇu central with radiant halo, devas behind in orderly rows; Kolāhala demon subdued at the bottom; strong outlines, rhythmic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Viṣṇu enthroned-like even on battlefield, gold halo and ornaments; devas in prayerful gratitude; demon figure flattened below; rich jewel tones and gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional clarity—arranged battle groups, Viṣṇu as focal protector; subdued demon labeled by gesture; fine lines, soft colors, restrained gold.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: dynamic skirmish with detailed armor; Viṣṇu luminous amid dust and banners; Kolāhala identified by distinctive demonic features; precise facial expressions and landscape depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devāsure = deva-asure (dvandva) in locative; pālitāś = pālitāḥ + ca (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Deva–Asura conflict summaries in the Avatāra/Itihāsa sections
FAQs
It conveys the doctrinal principle of dharma-pālana: divine protection and victory are linked to the upholding of dharma, here exemplified through Viṣṇu safeguarding the Devas in war.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purāṇa preserves Purāṇic historiography (itihāsa-kathā) that teaches theology and ethics—showing how cosmic order (dharma) governs outcomes like victory and protection.
The verse frames dharma as the decisive spiritual force: aligning with dharma invites divine guardianship, while opposition to dharma leads to defeat, reinforcing karmic and moral causality.