Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 10
Varāhādy-avatāra-varṇana
Description of Varāha and Other Incarnations
तोये तु पतिते हस्ते वामनो ऽभूदवामनः भूर्लोकं स भुवर्लोकं स्वर्लोकञ्च पदत्रयं
toye tu patite haste vāmano 'bhūdavāmanaḥ bhūrlokaṃ sa bhuvarlokaṃ svarlokañca padatrayaṃ
Mas quando a água foi derramada em sua mão para confirmar a dádiva, o Anão (Vāmana) deixou de ser anão; e com três passadas abrangeu Bhūrloka (a terra), Bhuvarloka (a região intermediária) e Svargaloka (o céu).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Teaches the purāṇic three-world model (bhūr-bhuvaḥ-svaḥ) and the ritual/legal finalization of gifts via water (udaka) as a binding act.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Trivikrama’s Three Strides Across the Three Worlds","lookup_keywords":["Trivikrama","udaka-dāna","bhūrloka","bhuvarloka","svargaloka"],"quick_summary":"Upon the water-confirmation of the gift, Vāmana expands into Trivikrama and spans earth, mid-region, and heaven in three strides—linking ritual act to cosmic manifestation."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic grandeur: spanning three worlds in three steps)
Concept: The finite request reveals the infinite Lord; the cosmos is pervaded and measured by the divine (viṣṇu-vyāpti).
Application: Cultivate humility before vast outcomes; recognize ritual acts as symbols of deeper metaphysical commitments.
Khanda Section: Avataras (Vishnu’s Incarnations / Trivikrama-Vamana Episode)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the moment water is poured into Bali’s hand, Vāmana expands into the colossal Trivikrama, striding across the three worlds—earth below, mid-sky, and heaven above.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic vertical composition; Trivikrama towering with raised leg touching celestial band, earth and heavens in layered registers, priests and Bali tiny below, bold outlines and ornamental clouds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Trivikrama with gold halo and embossed ornaments; three-tier cosmos background (earth, sky, heaven) with gold accents, Bali and ritual scene at bottom.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined anatomy and clear iconographic attributes; show transformation sequence—small Vāmana near Bali’s hand and expanded Trivikrama dominating frame, labeled lokas subtly.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic cosmography; architectural yajña pavilion in foreground, Trivikrama rising beyond frame into sky with delicate cloudwork, celestial beings watching from margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vāmano 'bhūt = vāmanah + abhūt; 'bhūdavāmanaḥ = abhūt + avāmanaḥ; svarlokañca = svarlokam + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 4.9; Agni Purana 4.11
FAQs
It encodes the dāna-saṅkalpa convention: pouring water into the recipient’s hand (udaka-dāna) serves as the formal, ritually binding confirmation of a gift.
In one verse it links ritual procedure (gift validation by water), avatar theology (Vāmana becoming Trivikrama), and cosmology (the three worlds), illustrating how the Agni Purana integrates practice, doctrine, and cosmic mapping.
It highlights the sanctity and irrevocability of a vowed gift once ritually sealed, and teaches that divine order can manifest through dharmic transactions—rewarding truthfulness while humbling pride.