Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 18
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
पूतना स्तनपानेन सा हता हन्तुमुद्यता वृन्दावनगतः कृष्णः कालियं यमुनाह्रदात्
pūtanā stanapānena sā hatā hantumudyatā vṛndāvanagataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kāliyaṃ yamunāhradāt
मारण्यासाठी उद्यत पूतना स्तनपानानेच मारली गेली; आणि कृष्ण वृंदावनात जाऊन यमुनेच्या ह्रदातून कालियाला बाहेर काढून वश केले।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Teaches discernment against disguised harm (Pūtanā) and the subduing of toxic forces (Kāliya) for communal safety.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pūtanā-vadha and Kāliya-damana in Yamunā","lookup_keywords":["Pūtanā","stana-pāna","Kāliya","Yamunā-hrada","Vṛndāvana"],"quick_summary":"Kṛṣṇa destroys Pūtanā through suckling and later subdues Kāliya from the Yamunā pool, restoring safety and purity to Vṛndāvana’s environment."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/Pratīka (poison as adharma; purification as grace)
Weapon Type: Unarmed (bāla-śarīra) / divine prowess
Concept: The Lord protects the vulnerable and purifies polluted spaces; evil may appear in nurturing disguise, yet is overcome by divine discernment.
Application: Maintain vigilance against harmful appearances; prioritize community health by safeguarding water sources and removing toxic influences.
Khanda Section: Avataras (Krishna-Charita / Vaishnava Itihasa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two scenes: Pūtanā attempts to kill the infant with poisoned breast milk but is slain; later Kṛṣṇa draws out Kāliya from the Yamunā pool and subdues him atop the serpent’s hoods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic Pūtanā scene with stylized demoness and calm child Kṛṣṇa; second panel with Kṛṣṇa dancing on multi-hooded Kāliya in dark green-blue Yamunā, swirling waters, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-haloed Kṛṣṇa central, Pūtanā collapsing with ornate patterns; separate or combined composition with Kāliya-damana—Kṛṣṇa on serpent hoods, gold highlights on waves and jewelry, devotional grandeur","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative sequencing: Pūtanā’s deception and fall; Yamunā pool with serpent coils, Kṛṣṇa poised atop hoods, fine detailing and soft colors for readability","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic river pool with ripples, villagers and gopas watching from banks, Kṛṣṇa on serpent hoods, Pūtanā episode rendered with courtly realism and expressive faces, intricate landscape"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हन्तुमुद्यता → हन्तुम् उद्यता; यमुनाह्रदात् → यमुना-ह्रदात्
Related Themes: Agni Purana Avatāra-khaṇḍa: Pūtanā episode; Kāliya episode (adjacent narrative)
FAQs
This verse conveys avatāra-tattva and protective dharma: the Lord neutralizes lethal impurity (Pūtanā’s poisoned nursing) and subdues a toxic nāga (Kāliya), illustrating divine protection and purification rather than a procedural ritual.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa preserves concise avatāra narratives; this verse functions as a compact index of key Kṛṣṇa-līlās (Pūtanā-vadha, Kāliya-damana) within its broad, multi-topic compendium.
It underscores the purifying power of devotion to Kṛṣṇa: even deadly intent is overcome by the Lord, and the subjugation of Kāliya symbolizes the cleansing of inner and outer toxicity, encouraging surrender and trust in divine protection.