Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 8
Chapter 16 — बुद्धाद्यवतारकथनम्
Narration of Buddha and Other Incarnations
कल्की विष्णुयशःपुत्रो याज्ञवल्क्यपुरोहितः उत्सादयिष्यति म्लेच्छान् गृहीतास्त्रः कृतायुधः
kalkī viṣṇuyaśaḥputro yājñavalkyapurohitaḥ utsādayiṣyati mlecchān gṛhītāstraḥ kṛtāyudhaḥ
Калки, сын Вишнуяшаса, с Яджнявалкьей в качестве семейного жреца (пурохиты), истребит млеччх — взяв оружие и полностью вооружившись для битвы.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic knowledge to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Mythic-ethical template: when adharma peaks, righteous force (danda) under dharmic guidance restores order; inspires disciplined preparedness and principled defense.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kalki Avatara: Armed Restoration and Yājñavalkya as Purohita","lookup_keywords":["Kalki","Viṣṇuyaśas","Yājñavalkya","mleccha-nāśa","astra"],"quick_summary":"Kalki, son of Viṣṇuyaśas, with Yājñavalkya as priest, takes up weapons to destroy mleccha forces. The verse links spiritual authority (purohita) with righteous martial action."}
Weapon Type: Sword/Bow (generic ‘astra’ implied)
Concept: When adharma becomes dominant, divine intervention manifests as dharma-protecting force guided by śāstra and brahminical counsel.
Application: Balance power with wisdom: ensure force is accountable to dharma (purohita/śāstra guidance), not personal rage or greed.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Kali-yuga Prophecy (Eschatology / Yuga-dharma)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kalki as a radiant warrior, fully armed, advancing to rout mleccha forces; beside/behind him stands sage Yājñavalkya as purohita, holding a staff or scripture, blessing and advising.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Kalki in dynamic stride with weapons, haloed, mleccha army in retreat, Yājñavalkya as serene sage with palm-leaf text, bold flat colors, rhythmic battle composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, iconic Kalki with gold halo and ornate armor, gold-leaf weapon highlights, Yājñavalkya in saffron with scripture, enemies minimized below, temple-arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework: Kalki’s armament clearly rendered (quiver, sword, shield), Yājñavalkya gesturing counsel, instructional clarity with soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, cavalry/battlefield scene with detailed armor and banners, Kalki central, sage figure at edge giving benediction, landscape depth and fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णुयशःपुत्रो = विष्णु-यशः-पुत्रः (विसर्ग-सन्धि, ओ-आदेशः); गृहीतास्त्रः = गृहीत-अस्त्रः; कृतायुधः = कृत-आयुधः
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Avatara narratives (Kalki and other avatāras); Agni Purana: Dhanurveda/weapon discussions (where present)
FAQs
It conveys the rajadharmic-purāṇic model of dharma-restoration: a divinely appointed ruler/avatāra acts with legitimate force, supported by a purohita (priestly authority), to remove adharma from society.
Alongside ritual, mantra, and temple topics, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves yuga-theory and avatāra history—integrating theology, political order (purohita–kṣatriya alliance), and social ethics into a single compendium.
The verse frames the end of Kali as a karmic correction: adharma ripens into collective suffering, and divine intervention restores conditions for sattva and righteous living, re-establishing the path of merit (puṇya) and liberation-oriented practice.