Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 20
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम्
Description of the War between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas
गदयान्यानुजांस्तस्य तस्मिन्नष्टादेशेहनि रात्रौ सुषुप्तञ्च बलं पाण्डवानां न्यपातयत्
gadayānyānujāṃstasya tasminnaṣṭādeśehani rātrau suṣuptañca balaṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ nyapātayat
ດ້ວຍຄະທາ ເຂົາໄດ້ຟາດລົ້ມນ້ອງຊາຍນ້ອຍໆຂອງກະສັດນັ້ນ; ແລະໃນວັນທີສິບແປດ ຕອນກາງຄືນ ເມື່ອກອງທັບຂອງພານດະວະນອນຫຼັບ ເຂົາໄດ້ທຳໃຫ້ກຳລັງຂອງເຂົາເຈົ້າລົ້ມລົງ।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic/Itihāsa material to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Encodes a night-raid motif on the eighteenth day: attacking sleeping forces and striking down younger brothers with a mace—useful for discussing battlefield ethics, vigilance, and night-operations in epic narrative.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ratri-abhiyoga (night assault) with gadā on the eighteenth day","lookup_keywords":["ratrौ","susupta","bala","ashtadasha-aha","gada"],"quick_summary":"Narrates a nocturnal attack when the opposing army sleeps, using a mace to strike down key targets—highlighting the peril of night warfare and the theme of breached norms."}
Alamkara Type: Ratri-varnana (nocturnal setting as intensifier)
Weapon Type: Mace (gadā)
Concept: When dharma frays, tactics may turn to nocturnal violence; the narrative warns about moral decline and the cost of negligence.
Application: Maintain vigilance and ethical boundaries under fatigue; in security planning, prioritize night watch, perimeter control, and rules of engagement.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Purana-Katha (Mahabharata narrative allusion)
Primary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A moonlit camp at night: sleeping soldiers, dim fires, and a lone attacker moving with a mace, striking amid tents; chaos beginning as guards awaken.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, deep indigo night with stylized moon; sleeping camp rendered in rhythmic rows; attacker with gada in stark silhouette; dramatic eyes and sharp outlines; torches as bright accents.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, night scene with gold highlights on moon and torches; attacker emphasized with ornate weapon; sleeping figures simplified; rich dark background and decorative border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear camp layout—tents, sentry points, sleeping ranks; attacker’s path shown through composition; subdued palette suitable for nocturnal instruction-like depiction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed tents and camp objects; moonlit shadows; attacker with mace moving between sleeping soldiers; small vignettes of awakening guards; realistic night atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गदयान्यानुजांस्तस्य = गदया + अन्यान् + अनुजान् + तस्य; तस्मिन्नष्टादेशेहनि = तस्मिन् + अष्टादशे + अहनि; सुषुप्तञ्च = सुषुप्तम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Mahabharata-sangraha: concluding war episodes; Agni Purana Dharmashastra-oriented passages on yuddha-niti (if treated)
FAQs
This verse conveys narrative military context—use of the gadā (mace) and a night assault against a sleeping camp—rather than a ritual procedure; it reflects practical war-episode description (tactics and weapon-use).
By incorporating Itihāsa (Mahābhārata) war-episodes alongside other subjects, the Agni Purāṇa functions as a compendium that preserves narrative history, martial themes, and ethical reflections within a broader encyclopedic framework.
As a war-episode description, it implicitly raises dharma questions about violence and night attacks; the karmic takeaway in Purāṇic reading is that adharma-leaning tactics in conflict are remembered as morally weighty actions with consequences.