Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 1
पाण्डवचरितवर्णनम्
The Account of the Pāṇḍavas
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये महाभारतवर्णनं नाम चतुर्दशो ऽध्यायः अथ पञ्चदशो ऽध्यायः पाण्डवचरितवर्णनम् अग्निर् उवाच युधिष्ठिरे तु राज्यस्थे आश्रमादाश्रमान्तरम् धृतराष्ट्रो वनमगाद् गान्धारी च पृथा द्विज
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye mahābhāratavarṇanaṃ nāma caturdaśo 'dhyāyaḥ atha pañcadaśo 'dhyāyaḥ pāṇḍavacaritavarṇanam agnir uvāca yudhiṣṭhire tu rājyasthe āśramādāśramāntaram dhṛtarāṣṭro vanamagād gāndhārī ca pṛthā dvija
Assim, no Agni Purāṇa, o Mahāpurāṇa primordial, encerra-se o décimo quarto capítulo intitulado “A Descrição do Mahābhārata”. Agora começa o décimo quinto capítulo, “O Relato dos Pāṇḍavas”. Agni disse: Quando Yudhiṣṭhira estava firmemente estabelecido no reinado, Dhṛtarāṣṭra foi para a floresta, passando de um āśrama a outro, juntamente com Gāndhārī e Pṛthā, ó brāhmaṇa.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Textual navigation and narrative transition: marks chapter colophon and begins Pāṇḍava-charita; also models vānaprastha movement (Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s forest life) as a dharmic life-stage.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Adhyāya-colophon and Transition to Pāṇḍava-carita; Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Vānaprastha","lookup_keywords":["adhyāya-samāpti","Pāṇḍava-carita","Dhṛtarāṣṭra","vānaprastha","āśrama"],"quick_summary":"The text closes the Mahābhārata synopsis chapter and opens the Pāṇḍava narrative. Dhṛtarāṣṭra, with Gāndhārī and Pṛthā, moves through forest hermitages, illustrating āśrama transition after Yudhiṣṭhira’s enthronement."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (light, incidental)
Concept: Āśrama-dharma: after political settlement, elders may enter forest life, seeking detachment and spiritual preparation.
Application: Life-planning ethic: transition from active duty to contemplative living; seek guidance from multiple teachers/communities (āśrama network).
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Purana Sankshipta (Mahabharata & Pandava-charita synopsis)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Sacred grove/Āśrama
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A manuscript-like colophon scene transitioning to a forest journey: Yudhiṣṭhira enthroned; Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Gāndhārī, and Pṛthā walking with staffs through a forest path between hermitages.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split composition: palace with Yudhiṣṭhira seated; forest path with three elders in simple garments, sages’ huts, banyan trees, calm palette, śānta mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate throne scene on one side and gilded forest vignette on the other; gold highlights on palace pillars and sacred trees; dignified elder figures with minimal ornament","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional narrative transition: labeled ‘Adhyāya 14 samāpti’ and ‘Adhyāya 15 ārambha’; detailed hermitage huts, waterpot, staff, gentle realism","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, procession through forest with attendants reduced, emphasis on aging faces and restraint; delicate foliage, small hermitage architecture, subtle court-to-forest contrast"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity = iti; rājye parīkṣitam etc. not in this verse; āśramādāśramāntaram = āśramāt āśramāntaram; vanamagād = vanam agāt; agnir uvāca = agniḥ uvāca; caturdaśo 'dhyāyaḥ = caturdaśaḥ adhyāyaḥ; pañcadaśo 'dhyāyaḥ = pañcadaśaḥ adhyāyaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Āśrama-dharma discussions (if present in dharma sections); Agni Purana: Itihāsa-saṅgraha narrative framework and chapter colophons
FAQs
It conveys the dharma-oriented life-transition (āśrama movement) associated with vānaprastha—withdrawal to forest hermitages after the establishment of rightful kingship.
It shows the Agni Purāṇa’s compendious method: integrating Itihāsa (the Mahābhārata narrative) as a concise reference framework alongside its many other disciplines.
The verse highlights renunciation and detachment after worldly duty is fulfilled, presenting forest-dwelling as a purificatory, dharma-aligned stage that supports spiritual maturation.