Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 15
Varāhādy-avatāra-varṇana
Description of Varāha and Other Incarnations
श्रान्तो निमन्त्रितो ऽरण्ये मुनिना जमदग्निना कामधेनुप्रभावेण भोजितः सबलो नृपः
śrānto nimantrito 'raṇye muninā jamadagninā kāmadhenuprabhāveṇa bhojitaḥ sabalo nṛpaḥ
Exausto, o rei—com as suas tropas—foi convidado na floresta pelo sábio Jamadagni e foi alimentado pelo poder de Kāmadhenu.
Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Teaches āśrama-dharma and atithi-satkāra: hospitality to even powerful guests; also models resourcefulness through divine/cow-based abundance.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jamadagni’s forest hospitality via Kāmadhenu","lookup_keywords":["Jamadagni","Kāmadhenu","atithi-satkāra","āśrama","bhojana"],"quick_summary":"A fatigued king and army are fed in the forest through Kāmadhenu’s miraculous provision, illustrating the primacy of hospitality and the power of sacred resources."}
Alamkara Type: Adbhuta-vṛtti (marvel through miraculous feeding)
Concept: Atithi-dharma and the sanctity of āśrama resources; power bows to dharma in sacred precincts.
Application: Practice hospitality within capacity; treat sacred/communal resources as inviolable; leaders should honor ascetics and their dependents.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Narrative (Avataras & Rishi-Charita)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Type: Forest hermitage
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a forest hermitage, sage Jamadagni welcomes the tired king and his soldiers; Kāmadhenu provides abundant food miraculously.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: serene āśrama with thatched huts and sacred fire; Jamadagni seated, blessing; Kāmadhenu near a feast spread; soldiers and king respectfully seated; rich greens and reds, stylized trees.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Kāmadhenu with ornate adornments; Jamadagni offering hospitality; king and retinue receiving food; gold leaf on vessels and halos; symmetrical devotional composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional narrative—arrangement of āśrama, serving of food, respectful gestures; delicate pastel palette; emphasis on etiquette and calm expressions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed banquet in a forest clearing; attendants serving; realistic utensils and textiles; Kāmadhenu depicted as extraordinary with subtle aura; layered foliage and animals."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निमन्त्रितो ऽरण्ये = निमन्त्रितः + अरण्ये (विसर्ग-लोप/ऽ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 4.16 (request and seizure of Kāmadhenu); Agni Purana 4.17-4.18 (retaliation and grief)
FAQs
The verse conveys the dharmic practice of atithi-satkara (formal hospitality): a rishi invites and feeds a guest, here enabled through Kāmadhenu’s miraculous power.
Alongside technical sections, the Agni Purana preserves ethical-political exempla through narratives—illustrating ideals of hospitality, ascetic power, and the interaction between kingship and rishi-tejas.
Honoring guests with food is treated as a meritorious act (dharma) that purifies the host; the rishi’s capacity to nourish even an army underscores the spiritual potency (tejas) gained through austerity and righteousness.