Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 14
Kūrma-avatāra-varṇana (The Description of the Tortoise Incarnation) — Samudra Manthana and the Reordering of Cosmic Prosperity
तथेत्युक्त्वा हरिस्तेभ्यो गृहीत्वापाययत्सुरान् चन्द्ररूपधरो राहुः पिबंश्चार्केन्दुनार्पितः
tathetyuktvā haristebhyo gṛhītvāpāyayatsurān candrarūpadharo rāhuḥ pibaṃścārkendunārpitaḥ
तथेत्युक्त्वा हरिः तद् गृहीत्वा सुरान् पाययत्; राहुः चन्द्ररूपधरोऽपि पिबन् सूर्येन्द्वोर्मध्ये न्यस्तः।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Provides mythic etiology for eclipses (Rāhu’s enmity with Sun and Moon) and links graha lore to ritual/astrological interpretation.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāhu’s Infiltration and the Eclipse Motif","lookup_keywords":["Rahu","Surya","Chandra","amrita drinking","grahana origin"],"quick_summary":"Hari distributes amṛta to the Devas; Rāhu infiltrates disguised as the Moon and drinks while seated between Sun and Moon—setting up the eclipse narrative."}
Alamkara Type: Natya-dharmin (dramatic disguise)
Concept: Adharma seeks immortality through deceit; cosmic witnesses (Sun/Moon) enable restoration of order.
Application: Ethical lesson: illegitimate gain invites exposure; in ritual life, eclipses become times for heightened discipline and purification.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Deva-Asura Itihasa (Samudra-manthana / Amrita-katha)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Mythic-cosmic
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hari/Mohinī serves amṛta to the Devas; Rāhu, disguised as the Moon, sits between Sun and Moon and stealthily drinks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, row of devas receiving amṛta, Mohini/Hari with vessel, Sun and Moon personified on either side, Rahu disguised with subtle ominous cues, bold colors and stylized halos.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central amṛta distribution with gold halos, Sun and Moon as radiant deities, Rahu seated between them with a slightly darker aura, gold embossing on celestial ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional celestial arrangement: Surya left, Chandra right, Rahu between, Mohini distributing amṛta, fine linework and soft shading, labeled elements feel.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, banquet-like celestial scene, detailed faces of Surya and Chandra, Rahu in disguise sipping, delicate patterns, balanced composition with narrative clarity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tathetyuktvā → tathā-iti uktvā; haristebhyo → hariḥ tebhyaḥ; gṛhītvāpāyayat → gṛhītvā apāyayat; pibaṃścārkendunārpitaḥ → piban ca arke indu-nā arpitaḥ (reading shows complex sandhi and possible textual corruption around arka/indu case-forms).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Grahaṇa/Rāhu-Ketu narrative continuation (severing and boon); Agni Purana: Jyotiḥśāstra-related sections where grahas and omens are discussed (where present)
FAQs
It conveys narrative (itihāsa) knowledge tied to amṛta-distribution and the mythic basis for Rāhu’s association with the Sun and Moon (often used in explaining eclipses in Purāṇic cosmology).
Alongside ritual and dharma topics, the Agni Purana preserves cosmological and mythic accounts—here, the amṛta episode and Rāhu’s placement with Sun–Moon—supporting later discussions of cosmic phenomena and Purāṇic worldview.
The verse underscores the safeguarding of divine order: amṛta is meant for the devas, while deceitful appropriation (Rāhu’s disguise) becomes the seed of ongoing cosmic consequence, reinforcing karma and dharma themes.