Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 38
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
मायावती मत्स्यमध्ये दृष्ट्वा स्वं पतिमादरात् पपोष सा तं चोवाच रतिस्ते ऽहं पतिर्मम
māyāvatī matsyamadhye dṛṣṭvā svaṃ patimādarāt papoṣa sā taṃ covāca ratiste 'haṃ patirmama
മായാവതി മത്സ്യത്തിനുള്ളിൽ തന്റെ ഭർത്താവിനെ കണ്ടു സ്നേഹത്തോടെ അവനെ പോഷിച്ചു; പിന്നെ അവനോട്—“ഞാൻ നിന്റെ രതി (പ്രിയ), നീ എന്റെ ഭർത്താവ്” എന്നു പറഞ്ഞു.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic episode to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Illustrates recognition (pratyabhijñā) and steadfast love: nurturing the hidden spouse/child and affirming marital identity despite magical concealment.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Māyāvatī Recognizes Her Husband Within the Fish","lookup_keywords":["Mayavati","Rati","husband in fish","Pradyumna","nourished"],"quick_summary":"Māyāvatī perceives her husband concealed in the fish, protects and nourishes him, and reaffirms their bond—turning a marvel into a restorative act."}
Alamkara Type: Adbhuta-vastu (marvel motif)
Concept: True relation is recognized beyond outer form; love and dharma persist through māyā’s disguises.
Application: Use as a teaching-example for steadfastness (dhṛti) and discernment (viveka) when appearances mislead.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Purana Akhyana (Narrative: Matsya-avatara related episode)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Māyāvatī cradles and tends a wondrous fish, perceiving within it her husband; an intimate moment of recognition and spoken vow of love.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Māyāvatī seated with the fish in her lap, soft lamp glow, expressive eyes indicating recognition, stylized aquatic motifs, rich ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Māyāvatī with ornate jewelry and gold halo, fish rendered prominently with decorative shimmer, speech-scroll motif indicating her words, temple-arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, gentle domestic scene: Māyāvatī feeding/nurturing, calm interior, clear facial expression of recognition, fine linework and subdued colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace chamber with attendants, Māyāvatī examining the fish closely, delicate textiles, detailed flora in margins, intimate narrative focus."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पतिमादरात् = पतिम् + आदरात्; चोवाच = च + उवाच; रतिस्ते = रतिः + ते; ते ऽहं = ते + अहम् (अवग्रह).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 12.37–12.39 (fish transfer; identification of Kāma/Ananga; command to slay Śambara)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; it is a narrative verse emphasizing recognition and affectionate care (papoṣa) within a Purāṇic episode.
It shows the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic range by interweaving dharma-themed storytelling (family bonds, loyalty, compassion) alongside its many technical sections (ritual, polity, medicine, arts).
The verse highlights dharmic conduct—steadfast love and care for one’s spouse—presented as a virtue that supports harmony, merit (puṇya), and moral order in Purāṇic ethics.