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
Dizendo: “Assim seja”, Viṣṇu então lhe falou; e depois, na presença de todos os deuses, tendo abandonado a forma feminina, ele exibiu sua forma verdadeira conforme a instrução de Hari.
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.