Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 19
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम्
Description of the War between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas
बहून् हत्वा नरादींश् च भीमसेनमथाब्रवीत् गदया प्रहरन्तं तु भीमस्तन्तु व्यपातयत्
bahūn hatvā narādīṃś ca bhīmasenamathābravīt gadayā praharantaṃ tu bhīmastantu vyapātayat
അനേകം മനുഷ്യരെയും മറ്റുള്ളവരെയും വധിച്ച ശേഷം അവൻ ഭീമസേനനോട് സംസാരിച്ചു; എന്നാൽ അവൻ ഗദയാൽ പ്രഹരിക്കുമ്പോൾ ഭീമൻ അവനെ ഛേദിച്ച് വീഴ്ത്തി।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Highlights the climactic gada-episode: after mass slaying, a direct address and a mace-strike answered by Bhīma’s decisive counter—useful as a vignette for mace-combat outcomes in epic retelling.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gadā-yuddha vignette: Bhīma fells the mace-striker","lookup_keywords":["Bhimasena","gada","praharan","vyapatayat","suyodhana"],"quick_summary":"Depicts a turning point in close combat: after heavy slaughter, the opponent attacks with a mace; Bhīma counters and fells him—an emblem of decisive gada engagement."}
Alamkara Type: Kriya-vaicitrya (dynamic action depiction)
Weapon Type: Mace (gadā)
Concept: When conflict narrows to personal combat, speech (address) and action (strike/counterstrike) reveal character and resolve.
Application: In high-stakes confrontation, maintain composure, read intent, and respond proportionately and decisively.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purana Narrative (Mahabharata-related martial episode)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tight, dramatic close-up: an opponent swings a heavy mace; Bhīma steps in and fells him; fallen soldiers and broken weapons in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, exaggerated musculature and stylized motion arcs; Bhīma dominant, mace mid-swing by opponent; bold reds and blacks; dust and weapon fragments as decorative rhythm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Bhīma with gold-highlighted ornaments and powerful stance; mace rendered with metallic sheen; background simplified; ornate border emphasizing the climactic strike.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of gada grip, stance, and counter; minimal crowding; instructional feel while retaining epic drama; soft palette and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic anatomy and armor; dynamic diagonal composition; spectators/warriors in background; detailed ground with discarded shields and arrows."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नरादींश्च = नरादीन् + च; भीमसेनमथ = भीमसेनम् + अथ; अथाब्रवीत् = अथ + अब्रवीत्; भीमस्तन्तु = भीमः + तम् + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihasa-katha: Duryodhana–Bhima sequence; Agni Purana Dhanurveda: gada-lakshana and yuddha-vidhi (where present)
FAQs
It conveys martial terminology and action—gadayā prahar- (striking with a mace) and vyapātayat (felled/caused to fall)—useful for understanding Dhanurveda-style weapon vocabulary rather than ritual procedure.
Alongside rituals and doctrines, the Agni Purana preserves Itihasa-like battle narration and weapon lexicon (e.g., gada), reflecting its wide scope that includes warfare and heroic narrative traditions.
The verse primarily functions as heroic narrative; its implied takeaway is the valor-duty (kṣātra-dharma) theme where decisive action in battle is portrayed as part of righteous conduct in epic warfare contexts.