Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 15
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
रक्षणाय च कंसादेर् भीतेनैव हि गोकुले रामकृष्णौ चेरतुस्तौ गोभिर्गोपालकैः सह
rakṣaṇāya ca kaṃsāder bhītenaiva hi gokule rāmakṛṣṇau ceratustau gobhirgopālakaiḥ saha
രക്ഷയ്ക്കായി, കംസാദികളുടെ ഭയത്താൽ, ആ രണ്ടുപേരായ രാമനും കൃഷ്ണനും ഗോകുലത്തിൽ പശുക്കളോടും ഗോപബാലകരോടും കൂടി പാർത്തു।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Models protective relocation, community solidarity, and discreet guardianship under political threat (tyranny).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gokula-vāsa of Rāma-Kṛṣṇa for protection from Kaṁsa","lookup_keywords":["Gokula","Kaṁsa-bhaya","Rāma-Kṛṣṇa","gopāla","rakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Rāma and Kṛṣṇa reside in Gokula among cowherds as a protective measure against Kaṁsa’s danger; the avatāra acts within ordinary social settings to safeguard dharma."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (apparent contrast)
Concept: Bhagavat’s protection (rakṣaṇa) operates through ordinary social life; dharma is preserved by prudent conduct under adharma’s threat.
Application: In hostile conditions, prioritize safety of dependents, relocate strategically, and maintain communal cohesion without abandoning duty.
Khanda Section: Avataras / Krishna-Charita (Vaishnava Narrative Section)
Primary Rasa: vatsalya
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two divine children, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, living quietly in Gokula among cows and cowherd boys, with an undertone of fear of Kaṁsa’s agents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, Bāla-Rāma and Bāla-Kṛṣṇa in Vraja attire amid cows and gopas, palm trees and huts of Gokula, subtle watchful mood, traditional ornamentation, flat perspective","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed child Rāma and Kṛṣṇa seated/standing with cows and gopālas, rich textiles, temple-like framing, ornate jewelry, warm devotional glow","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional narrative panel of Gokula settlement, cowherd community around the two children, soft pastel palette, minimal background architecture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pastoral village of Gokula, two children central with attendants and cows, fine foliage, courtly realism blended with sacred theme, subdued tension in faces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कंसादेर् → कंसादेः (रेफ्-सन्धि/विसर्ग-लेख); भीतेनैव → भीतेन एव; गोभिर्गोपालकैः → गोभिः गोपालकैः; चेरतुस्तौ → चेरतुः तौ
Related Themes: Agni Purana Avatāra-khaṇḍa: Kṛṣṇa-janma, Gokula-vāsa, Pūtanā-vadha, Śakaṭa-bhañjana, Yamala-arjuna episodes (adjacent verses/sections)
FAQs
This verse conveys narrative-practical knowledge of protective relocation (rakṣaṇa): Rama and Krishna remain in Gokula as a safeguard due to fear of Kaṁsa’s hostility.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana preserves avatāra-carita (incarnational narratives). This verse exemplifies its puranic historiography and devotional theology as another domain of knowledge.
Remembering the Lord’s protected childhood pastimes in Gokula reinforces bhakti and trust in divine guardianship, encouraging devotees toward devotion-driven merit (puṇya) and steadiness amid fear.