Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 17
Kūrma-avatāra-varṇana (The Description of the Tortoise Incarnation) — Samudra Manthana and the Reordering of Cosmic Prosperity
तथेत्याहाथ तं विष्णुस् ततः सर्वैः सहामरैः स्त्रीरूपं सम्परित्यज्य हरेणोक्तः प्रदर्शय
tathetyāhātha taṃ viṣṇus tataḥ sarvaiḥ sahāmaraiḥ strīrūpaṃ samparityajya hareṇoktaḥ pradarśaya
“ਤਥਾਸਤੁ” ਕਹਿ ਕੇ ਵਿਸ਼ਨੂ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਬੋਧਿਆ। ਫਿਰ ਸਾਰੇ ਦੇਵਤਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਹਾਜ਼ਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ, ਇਸਤਰੀ-ਰੂਪ ਤਿਆਗ ਕੇ, ਹਰੀ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਅਸਲ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਖਾਇਆ।
Agni (narrator) to Vasiṣṭha (frame narration of Agni Purana; verse depicts Vishnu/Hari giving instruction within the story)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Used in kathā/pravacana to illustrate divine līlā and the non-finality of appearances (rūpa-parivartana) under īśvara’s will.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hari’s Rūpa-Parivartana (Abandoning the Female Form)","lookup_keywords":["Vishnu","Hari","strirupa","rupa-parivartana","deva-sabha"],"quick_summary":"Vişṇu, having assumed a female form, later abandons it and reveals his true form before the gods, emphasizing māyā and divine sovereignty over form."}
Concept: Rūpa is upādhi; īśvara freely manifests and withdraws forms—māyā is instrumental, not binding to the Lord.
Application: Cultivate viveka: do not absolutize appearances; anchor devotion/understanding in tattva rather than external form.
Khanda Section: Avatara-Charita / Deva-Asura-Katha (Narrative Theology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a celestial assembly, Viṣṇu shifts from a captivating female form to his radiant divine form as the gods look on.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, deva-sabhā with Indra and devas, central figure transitioning from Mohinī to Viṣṇu, layered jewelry, lotus motifs, warm temple colors, expressive eyes","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Viṣṇu with gold halo emerging as Mohinī veil recedes, devas in symmetrical rows, heavy gold embossing on ornaments and crowns","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, two-phase narrative in one frame (split composition): left Mohinī, right Viṣṇu with śaṅkha-cakra, fine gesso detailing, calm instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court-like celestial durbar, delicate textiles, Viṣṇu revealing true form, attentive devas, architectural arches, fine border illumination"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथेत्याहाथ = तथा इति आह अथ; विष्णुस् = विष्णुः; सहामरैः = सह अमरैः; हरेणोक्तः = हरेण उक्तः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Mohinī/līlā narratives; Agni Purana: Viṣṇu-stotra and rūpa-lakṣaṇa passages
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is prescribed here; the verse conveys narrative instruction—obedience to Hari and the act of revealing one’s true form after abandoning an assumed (female) form.
It exemplifies the Purana’s narrative-theological layer—mythic episodes and divine dialogues that frame and legitimize later encyclopedic teachings (ritual, polity, medicine, arts) by grounding them in authoritative deva-centered tradition.
The verse highlights surrender to divine command (Hari’s ājñā) and truth-revelation—symbolically moving from māyā-like assumed appearance to disclosure of authentic nature in the presence of the gods.