Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 30
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
पुरीं च द्वारकां कृत्वा न्यवसद् यादवैर् वृतः भौमं तु नरकं हत्वा तेनानीताश् च कन्यकाः
purīṃ ca dvārakāṃ kṛtvā nyavasad yādavair vṛtaḥ bhaumaṃ tu narakaṃ hatvā tenānītāś ca kanyakāḥ
ദ്വാരകാ നഗരി സ്ഥാപിച്ച് യാദവന്മാർ ചുറ്റിനിന്ന ജനാർദനൻ അവിടെ വസിച്ചു. ഭൗമപുത്രനായ നരകനെ വധിച്ച്, അവൻ അപഹരിച്ച രാജകന്യകളെയും അദ്ദേഹം തിരിച്ചുകൊണ്ടുവന്നു.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Models ideal kingship: founding a fortified capital, protecting subjects, defeating abductors, and restoring social order by rescuing captives.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dvaraka-nirmana and Naraka-vadha with Kanya-moksha","lookup_keywords":["Dvārakā","Yādava","Naraka (Bhūma-putra)","kanyā-haraṇa","kanyā-mokṣa"],"quick_summary":"Kṛṣṇa establishes Dvārakā as a secure seat of rule and restores dharma by slaying Naraka and liberating the abducted princesses."}
Concept: Ruler’s duty to found stable governance and remove adharma (abduction, oppression), restoring social dignity.
Application: Ethics of leadership: build secure institutions and prioritize protection of the vulnerable.
Khanda Section: Avataras and Krishna-Charita (Vaishnava Itihasa-Purana Narrative)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kṛṣṇa in regal form within newly founded Dvārakā, surrounded by Yādavas; in the foreground the defeated Naraka and freed princesses returning in procession.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Dvārakā palace-city with layered architecture, Kṛṣṇa with dark blue complexion and ornate crown, Yādava warriors, liberated princesses in bright saris, flat perspective, rich reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: Kṛṣṇa enthroned in Dvārakā with heavy gold foil ornaments, halo, jeweled arches; Naraka subdued at the base; princesses with stylized faces and gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: narrative panel showing city-founding and rescue; delicate linework, muted palette, detailed textiles; captions-like cartouches for Dvārakā and Naraka-vadha.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: panoramic Dvārakā waterfront cityscape, Kṛṣṇa amid Yādava retinue, captives released; fine architectural detail, naturalistic faces, subdued shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yādavair vṛtaḥ = yādavaiḥ vṛtaḥ (visarga sandhi); tenānītāś ca = tena ānītāḥ ca (vowel sandhi: a+a→ā).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 12 (Krishna-charita sequence)
FAQs
This verse primarily conveys Itihasa-Purana narrative (avatar-charita): the founding of Dvārakā and the restoration of abducted maidens after Narakāsura’s defeat, rather than a specific ritual or medical procedure.
By preserving concise historical-theological summaries of major Vaishnava episodes (Dvārakā’s establishment, Narakāsura-vadha), the Agni Purana integrates sacred history alongside its many technical disciplines, functioning as a wide-ranging compendium.
It highlights dharma-protection: the destruction of oppressive power (Naraka) and the restoration of the wronged (the captive maidens), presenting the avatara as an agent of cosmic justice and moral order.