Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 10
Somavaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lunar Dynasty
न शशाकापकारायेति ञ देवानां दानवानाञ्च लोकक्षयकरं महत् ब्रह्मा निवार्योशनसन्तारामङ्गिरसे ददौ
na śaśākāpakārāyeti ña devānāṃ dānavānāñca lokakṣayakaraṃ mahat brahmā nivāryośanasantārāmaṅgirase dadau
ບໍ່ອາດຕໍ່ຕ້ານໄດ້ເພື່ອປ້ອງກັນອັນຕະລາຍ—ເພາະພະລັງອັນໃຫຍ່ຫຼວງນັ້ນ ສາມາດນໍາໄປສູ່ຄວາມພິນາດຂອງໂລກ ທັງຝ່າຍເທວະ ແລະ ດານະວະ—ພຣະພຣະຫມາ (Brahmā) ຈຶ່ງຫ້າມການນໍາໃຊ້ມັນ ແລະປະທານວິທີກູ້ໄພ/ຢາຊ່ວຍຊີວິດ ອັນເກືອບກັບ ອຸສະນະສ (Uśanas) ໃຫ້ແກ່ ອັງຄິຣະ (Aṅgiras).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Doctrine of restraint in deploying catastrophic power: even divine weapons/mantras must be checked to prevent loka-kṣaya; emphasizes mediation and ‘saving means’ (tāraṇa) given to restore balance.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Brahmā’s Nivāraṇa: Restraining World-Destroying Power and Granting a Saving Means","lookup_keywords":["loka-kṣaya","nivāraṇa","Brahmā","Uśanas","Aṅgiras"],"quick_summary":"When an immense force threatens world-destruction for both devas and dānavas, Brahmā intervenes to restrain it and provides a protective/saving means associated with Uśanas to Aṅgiras. The takeaway is controlled use of power and recourse to higher arbitration."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (world-destruction magnitude)
Weapon Type: Astra/mahā-śakti (implied)
Concept: Power without restraint becomes loka-kṣaya; higher dharmic authority must regulate even ‘justified’ retaliation; saving means (tāraṇa-upāya) is superior to annihilation.
Application: In leadership and conflict: establish escalation thresholds, seek neutral arbitration, prioritize protective remedies over total victory.
Khanda Section: Daitya–Deva Itihasa (Cosmic Conflict and Protective Mantras/Weapons)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Cosmology
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A colossal, blazing destructive force threatens devas and dānavas alike; Brahmā intervenes with a calming gesture, halting the catastrophe, and hands a protective ‘saving means’ to Aṅgiras; Uśanas is referenced as the source-lineage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Brahmā four-faced at center with abhaya gesture stopping a fiery cosmic weapon, devas and dānavas recoiling, Aṅgiras receiving a glowing palm-leaf/mantra, intense reds and golds with temple border motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Brahmā enthroned with gold halo, dramatic gold-leaf flames frozen mid-air, Aṅgiras kneeling receiving a radiant boon-object, devas/dānavas symmetrically placed, heavy gold embossing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional narrative: destructive astra depicted as controlled spiral of light, Brahmā’s restraining mudrā, Aṅgiras receiving a manuscript/amulet, fine linework and calm resolution","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, battlefield panorama with a suspended explosion, Brahmā descending in a cloud, stopping the blast, handing a talisman/scroll to Aṅgiras, meticulous armor and banners"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शशाकापकाराय = शशाक + अपकाराय; दानवानाञ्च = दानवानाम् + च; nivāryośanasantārāmaṅgirase = निवार्य + उशनसम् + ताराम् + अङ्गिरसे (multiple sandhi; text likely has minor transmission issues around ‘ञ’ and word-joins).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 273.9
FAQs
It indicates the transmission of a “santāraṇa” (saving countermeasure/remedy), associated with Uśanas (Śukra), meant to restrain or neutralize a world-destroying force affecting both Devas and Dānavas.
Alongside theology and myth, it preserves a technical idea central to Purāṇic knowledge systems: catastrophic powers must be governed (nivārya) and paired with authorized countermeasures transmitted through rishis (here, Aṅgiras), reflecting a broader catalog of mantras, restraints, and protective procedures.
It underscores dharma as restraint of destructive capability and the merit of safeguarding the worlds—power is not merely possessed but ethically regulated and entrusted to qualified seers for protection rather than annihilation.