Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 5
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
विष्णुप्रयुक्तया नीता देवकीजठरं पुरा अभूच्च सप्तमो गर्भो देवक्या जठराद् बलः
viṣṇuprayuktayā nītā devakījaṭharaṃ purā abhūcca saptamo garbho devakyā jaṭharād balaḥ
विष्णुप्रेरणया पुरा देवकीजठरं नीतः स गर्भः सप्तमोऽभूत्; देवकीजठरात् संक्रान्तः स एव बलो (बलरामः) अभवत्।
Lord Agni (narrating puranic history to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Krishna–Balarama janma-katha as a teaching-narrative for vrata-kala smarana (Janmashtami/Rama-navami related observances), and for understanding divine intervention (yoga-maya/garbha-sankramana) in Vaishnava tradition.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Garbha-saṅkramaṇa of the Seventh Embryo (Balarāma)","lookup_keywords":["garbha-saṅkramaṇa","Devakī","Balarāma","Viṣṇu-prayukta","saptama-garbha"],"quick_summary":"The verse states that by Viṣṇu’s prompting the seventh embryo was conveyed/managed within Devakī’s womb and became Bala (Balarāma), establishing the puranic motif of divinely guided gestation and identity."}
Concept: Īśvara-saṅkalpa overriding worldly causality; avatāra events unfold through divine agency (yoga-māyā) to protect dharma.
Application: Cultivate śraddhā in providence during adversity; use the narrative in vrata-kathā recitation and dharma-discourse on divine protection.
Khanda Section: Avataras (Krishna-Janma Narrative / Vaishnava Itihasa within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A divine, unseen transfer/protection of the seventh embryo in Devakī’s womb, suggesting Viṣṇu’s will guiding the avatāra arrangement leading to Balarāma (Bala).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Devakī in a royal prison chamber, subtle divine aura indicating Viṣṇu’s prompting, symbolic lotus/light stream signifying garbha-saṅkramaṇa, rich earthy reds and greens, temple-mural composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Devakī seated with haloed divine presence implied behind (Viṣṇu’s aura), ornate jewelry, gold leaf highlights, symbolic lotus/beam indicating the seventh embryo becoming Bala.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative panel with caption-like clarity: Devakī in confinement, gentle divine radiance marking the seventh garbha, delicate linework and soft colors, instructional storytelling layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed prison interior, Devakī attended by guards at distance, a subtle celestial light motif indicating divine intervention, fine textiles and architectural detail, restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णुप्रयुक्तया = विष्णु-प्रयुक्तया; देवकीजठरं = देवकी-जठरम्; अभूच्च = अभूत् + च; जठराद् = जठरात् (द्-आदेशः परे घोषे)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Avatara-khaṇḍa: Krishna-janma sequence (adjacent verses 12.6–12.9)
FAQs
This verse conveys purāṇic avatāra-tattva (doctrine of divine descent) and divine agency—Viṣṇu’s direct orchestration of events surrounding the birth of Balarāma—rather than a ritual or medical procedure.
By preserving avatāra-history alongside other disciplines (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics), the Agni Purana functions as a compendium: this verse exemplifies its narrative-historical strand that contextualizes theology and sacred history.
It underscores that divine protection and destiny operate under Viṣṇu’s will; remembrance of such līlā supports bhakti (devotional orientation) and strengthens faith in dharma’s preservation despite hostile forces.