Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 1
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम्
Description of the War between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये आदिपर्वादिवर्णनं नाम त्रयोदशो ऽध्यायः अथ चतुर्दशो ऽध्यायः कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम् अग्निर् उवाच यौधिष्ठिरी दौर्योधनी कुरुक्षेत्रं ययौ चमूः भीष्मद्रोणादिकान् दृष्ट्वा नायुध्यत गुरूनिति
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye ādiparvādivarṇanaṃ nāma trayodaśo 'dhyāyaḥ atha caturdaśo 'dhyāyaḥ kurupāṇḍavasaṅgrāmavarṇanam agnir uvāca yaudhiṣṭhirī dauryodhanī kurukṣetraṃ yayau camūḥ bhīṣmadroṇādikān dṛṣṭvā nāyudhyata gurūniti
Demikianlah, dalam Agni Purāṇa—Mahāpurāṇa yang purba—bab ketiga belas yang bernama “Huraian tentang Ādi-parvan dan perkara-perkara berkaitan” telah berakhir. Kini bermula bab keempat belas, “Huraian tentang peperangan antara Kuru dan Pāṇḍava.” Agni bersabda: Angkatan Yudhiṣṭhira dan angkatan Duryodhana pergi ke Kurukṣetra; namun setelah melihat Bhīṣma, Droṇa dan yang lain, dia tidak bertempur, kerana mereka ialah guru dan para tua-tua baginya.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Itihasa-based ethical framing of warfare: recognizing guru-elder relationships as a factor in hesitation and rules of engagement; contextualizes Kurukshetra as the archetypal battlefield for later dharma and strategy teachings.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kurukṣetra-gamana and Arjuna’s initial non-engagement on seeing elders","lookup_keywords":["Kurukṣetra","Bhīṣma","Droṇa","Arjuna viṣāda","Kuru-Pāṇḍava yuddha"],"quick_summary":"Introduces the Kurukṣetra campaign and the psychological-ethical trigger for Arjuna’s reluctance: confronting revered elders/teachers in war."}
Concept: Conflict between kṣatriya-duty and guru/elder-veneration as the immediate cause for seeking higher guidance.
Application: In duty-conflicts, acknowledge competing obligations and seek authoritative counsel rather than acting from paralysis or impulse.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Purana (Mahabharata narrative précis within the Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two vast armies arrive at Kurukṣetra; Arjuna beholds Bhīṣma and Droṇa among the opposing ranks and pauses, bow lowered, torn between duty and reverence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, ornate jewelry; Kurukṣetra battlefield panorama with Arjuna in the foreground lowering his bow upon seeing Bhīṣma and Droṇa; stylized chariots, banners, conch shells; sacred aura over the field.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; central chariot scene with Arjuna hesitant, Krishna nearby; Bhīṣma and Droṇa depicted regally in opposing line; rich textiles, gilded ornaments, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework and soft shading; instructional narrative panel: armies assembled, Arjuna’s pause emphasized with gesture and facial expression; labeled banners for Kuru and Pāṇḍava sides.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed battlefield with ranks, standards, elephants and horses; close-up of Arjuna recognizing elders; fine architectural horizon and dust haze; naturalistic faces and armor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य्=इति; अग्निर्=अग्निः; उवाच (no sandhi); त्रयोदशो ऽध्यायः=त्रयोदशः अध्यायः; चतुर्दशो ऽध्यायः=चतुर्दशः अध्यायः; सेन्टेन्स-टाइटल भागः समासयुक्तः; नायुध्यत=न + अयुध्यत.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Mahābhārata-saṅgraha/Itihāsa sections continuing the Kurukṣetra narrative; Agni Purana: Dharma/Rājadharma discussions where war-ethics are summarized
FAQs
This verse is primarily itihāsa-narrative framing (Mahābhārata précis) rather than a ritual/technical vidyā; it highlights the dharmic tension between martial duty and reverence toward gurus/elders.
By embedding a condensed Mahābhārata war narrative, the Agni Purāṇa functions as an encyclopedic digest—preserving history/ethics (itihāsa-dharma) alongside its many other domains like ritual, polity, and śāstra.
It underscores guru-vandana and respect for elders as a core dharma, while also foregrounding the karmic complexity of righteous action when duties conflict—an ethical lens through which the Kurukṣetra war is to be understood.