Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 19
Kūrma-avatāra-varṇana (The Description of the Tortoise Incarnation) — Samudra Manthana and the Reordering of Cosmic Prosperity
नग्न उन्मत्तरूपो ऽभूत् स्त्रियः केशानधारयत् अगाद्विमुच्य केशान् स्त्री अन्वधावच्च ताङ्गताम्
nagna unmattarūpo 'bhūt striyaḥ keśānadhārayat agādvimucya keśān strī anvadhāvacca tāṅgatām
नग्न उन्मत्तरूपोऽभूत्; स्त्रियः केशान् अधारयत्। विमुच्य केशान् अगात्, सा स्त्री च तमन्वधावत् तत्र जगाम।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha; default Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Moral-illustrative lore warning against uncontrolled passion and social transgression; used in discourse to underline maryādā and self-restraint.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Unmāda-veśa and Anucita-ceṣṭā (Madness-like Conduct in Moha)","lookup_keywords":["nagna","unmatta","kesha","anudhavat","moha"],"quick_summary":"Under delusion, the figure behaves like a madman—naked, grabbing hair, running and being chased—depicting the loss of dignity and discernment when desire overwhelms."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Alamkara Type: Anukaraṇa (vivid enactment) / Bhāva-prakāśana
Concept: Indriya-asamyama leads to anartha and social/ethical collapse; dignity (lajjā) and viveka are dharmic safeguards.
Application: Cultivate restraint, avoid intoxication of mind (moha), and adhere to conduct codes; treat obsession as a signal to step back and re-center.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Purana Kathana (Narrative Episode / Moral-illustrative lore)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A frenzied, naked figure runs wildly, grabbing women by their hair; the pursued woman chases after him in chaotic motion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic chase scene, exaggerated expressive faces, swirling lines indicating frenzy, muted yet intense palette, moralizing tone","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, stylized figures with strong outlines, gold accents minimized to keep the scene cautionary, palace/forest edge backdrop, frozen dramatic gestures","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, narrative clarity with sequential action cues (grabbing hair, releasing, running), fine linework, restrained color, didactic illustration feel","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling scene with attendants and architecture, detailed textiles, the central figure in disarray contrasted with composed onlookers, motion conveyed through diagonals"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रूपो 'भूत् = रूपः अभूत्; केशानधारयत् = केशान् अधारयत्; अगाद्विमुच्य = अगात् विमुच्य; अन्वधावच्च = अन्वधावत् च. ‘स्त्रियः’ taken as epic gen. sg. for स्त्रियाः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: dharma/ācāra discussions; Agni Purana: narratives illustrating moha
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as narrative description highlighting deviant, harmful conduct (violent harassment) as a negative example within a story.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves illustrative narratives. Such passages broaden the text’s scope by embedding social-ethical instruction (dharma through story) within its encyclopedic compilation.
By depicting shamelessness, madness-like behavior, and aggression toward women, the verse implies adharma that leads to demerit (pāpa) and social disorder—serving as a caution against actions that violate dignity and safety.