Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 7
मत्स्यावतारवर्णनम्
The Description of the Matsya Incarnation
स्थानमेतद्वचः श्रुत्वा राजाथोदञ्चने ऽक्षिपत् तत्र वृद्धो ऽब्रवीद्भूपं पृथु देहि पदं मनो
sthānametadvacaḥ śrutvā rājāthodañcane 'kṣipat tatra vṛddho 'bravīdbhūpaṃ pṛthu dehi padaṃ mano
Setelah mendengar kata-kata itu, raja pun menghalakan perhatian ke arah utara. Lalu seorang tua berkata kepada raja: “Wahai Pṛthu, tetapkanlah fikiranmu pada kedudukan/jejak yang sewajarnya.”
Primary narrator: Lord Agni (to Vasiṣṭha); within the episode: an unnamed elder addressing King Pṛthu
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Frames kingship as orientation to rightful station and disciplined resolve; can be read as counsel on rajadharma—taking one’s proper place and acting with steadiness, including directional (uttara) auspiciousness in decision-making.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rajadharma Counsel: ‘Take Your Rightful Position’ (Pṛthu Address)","lookup_keywords":["rajadharma","Pṛthu","uttara disha","rightful position","counsel to king"],"quick_summary":"After hearing the words, the king turns toward the northern quarter; an elder advises Pṛthu to set his mind on his proper footing/position—an admonition toward stable, rightful rule."}
Concept: Svadharma and sthiti: a ruler must occupy the rightful station with mental steadiness (mano-niyama) and legitimacy (pada/sthāna).
Application: In leadership, clarify role-bound duties, establish stable authority, and act from considered counsel rather than impulse.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Narrative (Rajadharma / Kingship Episode)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king stands or sits in court or at a riverside camp, turning toward the northern direction; a venerable elder gestures instructively, advising him to take his rightful stance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with crown and simple regalia, elder sage with white beard pointing north, stylized compass-like directional motif, flat background with ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king Pṛthu with gold-embossed crown and jewelry, elder with halo-like aura of wisdom, north indicated by a small Kubera/dikpala emblem, rich reds and gold leaf.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic scene with directional arrow motif, elder instructing the king, balanced composition, soft shading suitable for a ‘rajadharma lesson’ plate.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature court scene, detailed textiles and architecture, elder advisor leaning toward the king, subtle northward cue via landscape and compass rose, refined facial expressions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sthānam etat vacaḥ → sthānametadvacaḥ; rājā atha → rājātha; udañcane akṣipat → udañcane 'kṣipat; vṛddhaḥ abravīt → vṛddho 'bravīt; abravīt bhūpam → abravīdbhūpam
Related Themes: Agni Purana rajadharma/kingly duties sections (where present); Agni Purana narrative transitions linking Manu cycle to royal exempla
FAQs
No explicit ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse conveys directional action (turning northward) and instructive counsel about assuming one’s proper station/step (padam) with a focused mind.
It illustrates the Purana’s narrative framework used to transmit practical governance ethics (rajadharma) and disciplined decision-making—one of the many knowledge streams embedded alongside ritual, medicine, and arts.
The counsel emphasizes steadiness of mind and rightful conduct (taking one’s proper “place/footing”), a common Puranic theme linking inner discipline with righteous rule and karmically sound action.