Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 17
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम्
Description of the War between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas
कर्णार्जुनाख्ये सङ्ग्रामे कर्णोरीनबधीच्छरैः द्वितीयाहनि कर्णस्तु अर्जुनेन निपातितः
karṇārjunākhye saṅgrāme karṇorīnabadhīccharaiḥ dvitīyāhani karṇastu arjunena nipātitaḥ
Na batalha conhecida como o combate Karṇa–Arjuna, Karṇa abateu Orīna com flechas; porém, no segundo dia, o próprio Karṇa foi derrubado por Arjuna.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic-itihāsa material to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Provides a concise battle-summary entry: key duel (Karṇa–Arjuna), notable casualty by arrows, and the decisive fall—useful for itihasa-sangraha memorization and martial exempla.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Karṇa–Arjuna Saṅgrāma: key outcomes (day-wise)","lookup_keywords":["Karna","Arjuna","sangrama","sharaih","dvitiyahani"],"quick_summary":"Records the duel’s salient results in compressed form: Karṇa’s arrow-kill of a named opponent and Karṇa’s own defeat by Arjuna on the second day."}
Alamkara Type: Itivrtta-sanksepa (narrative compression)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows (shara)
Concept: Even the greatest warriors meet reversal; prowess is subject to time, fate, and dharmic culmination.
Application: Cultivate humility and preparedness; treat victory/defeat as transient while adhering to righteous conduct.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Sangraha (Mahabharata narrative summary / Purana-itihāsa)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A focused duel tableau: Karṇa and Arjuna facing each other with bows drawn; fallen warrior struck by arrows; a subtle ‘second day’ sense via changing sky or camp banners.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal heroic figures; Karṇa and Arjuna mirrored with bows; arrows rendered as rhythmic lines; a fallen figure at their feet; bold reds and ochres conveying vira-rasa.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold detailing on quivers, crowns, and armor; central duel framed by ornate arch; arrows mid-flight; subdued background to keep attention on the two heroes.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean composition: two archers in correct stance (feet, torso twist, bow grip); arrows shown in sequence to imply day-wise outcome; calm but intense faces.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic battlefield corner with two champions; detailed textiles and armor; attendants and chariots in background; fallen opponent depicted with precise arrow wounds."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्णार्जुनाख्ये = कर्ण-अर्जुन-आख्ये; कर्णोरीनबधीच्छरैः = कर्णः + उरीणम् + अबधीत् + शरैः (अबधीत् + शरैः → अबधीच्छरैः); द्वितीयाहनि = द्वितीया-अहनि; कर्णस्तु = कर्णः + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihasa-sangraha (Mahabharata summary sequence); Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on dhanus and shara
FAQs
This verse conveys Dhanurveda-oriented battlefield narration: victory and defeat through śaraiḥ (arrows), emphasizing archery as the decisive martial technique.
By embedding an itihāsa (Mahābhārata) episode inside a Purāṇa, it integrates history-like war accounts with broader puranic teaching—showing the Agni Purana’s scope beyond ritual into martial and narrative traditions.
The verse underscores the instability of worldly triumph: even a victorious warrior who slays another may soon fall, pointing to karma, mortality, and the impermanence of martial success.