Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 19
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
पृथ्वीरथे ब्रह्मयन्तुरीशस्य शरणो हरिः ददाह त्रिपुरं देवपालको दैत्यमर्दनः
pṛthvīrathe brahmayanturīśasya śaraṇo hariḥ dadāha tripuraṃ devapālako daityamardanaḥ
ପୃଥିବୀକୁ ରଥ କରି, ବ୍ରହ୍ମାଙ୍କୁ ସାରଥି କରି, ଈଶ (ଶିବ)ଙ୍କ ଶରଣ ହରି—ଦେବପାଳକ ଓ ଦୈତ୍ୟମର୍ଦ୍ଦନ—ତ୍ରିପୁରକୁ ଦହନ କଲେ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Teaching the iconic Tripura-dahana episode and the Hari–Rudra cooperation motif; useful for iconographic programs in temples and narrative recitation traditions.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Tripura-dahana: Earth as chariot, Hari as charioteer, Tripura burned","lookup_keywords":["Tripura-dahana","Pṛthvī-ratha","Hari sārathi","Śiva","Deva-pālaka"],"quick_summary":"The verse compresses the Tripura myth: the cosmos becomes the war-machine (Earth as chariot), Hari serves as charioteer for Īśa, and Tripura is destroyed to protect the gods."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (Earth as chariot)
Weapon Type: Bow (archery implied in Tripurāntaka)
Concept: Protection of cosmic order may require coordinated divine functions; sectarian harmony (Hari as refuge/ally of Īśa).
Application: Promotes integrative worship and cooperation across traditions; in practice, supports shared temple narratives and festivals (Tripurāntaka celebrations).
Khanda Section: Shaiva–Vaishnava Itihasa (Tripura-dahana / Deva–Asura conflict narrative)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vīra
Type: Mythic city/fortress
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast cosmic chariot: the Earth itself forms the chariot body; Śiva stands as archer aiming at three blazing aerial cities; Viṣṇu holds the reins as charioteer; Tripura ignites in a single divine act.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, monumental Tripurāntaka Śiva with bow, Viṣṇu as sārathi; Earth depicted as stylized chariot-platform; three cities in the sky catching fire; rich reds and ochres, ornate halos.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf halos and jewelry; Śiva as Tripurāntaka with bow; Viṣṇu driving; Earth-chariot rendered symbolically; three gem-like cities aflame, heavy decorative border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise linework; clear depiction of chariot mechanics (reins, axle) with Earth motif; instructional clarity on roles (archer vs charioteer); controlled flames on Tripura.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape with a globe-like chariot; Śiva aiming; Viṣṇu driving; three fortified cities in the distance erupting in fire; fine detailing of banners and attendants."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पृथ्वीरथे = पृथ्वी-रथे; ब्रह्मयन्तुरीशस्य = ब्रह्म-यन्तुः ईशस्य; देवपालको = देव-पालकः; दैत्यमर्दनः = दैत्य-मर्दनः.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Śiva-stuti/Śaiva narratives; iconography-related chapters (mūrti-lakṣaṇa) where Tripurāntaka forms may be listed
FAQs
No ritual manual is taught here; the verse conveys a theological-epic motif: divine cooperation in cosmic warfare (Tripura-dahana), emphasizing protective roles (deva-pālaka) and the defeat of demonic forces (daitya-mardana).
It preserves a key Purāṇic episode (Tripura-dahana) alongside the text’s many practical disciplines, showing that the Agni Purāṇa also functions as a compendium of pan-Indian mythic history, sectarian reconciliation, and dharmic exemplars.
Spiritually, it highlights refuge (śaraṇa) in the divine and the triumph of dharma: destructive power is framed as protective when aligned with the gods’ purpose—removing adharma symbolized by Tripura and the Daityas.