Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 9
Somavaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lunar Dynasty
जहार तरसा सोमो ह्य् अवमन्याङ्गिरःसुतम् ततस्तद्युद्धमभवत् प्रख्यातं तारकामयम्
jahāra tarasā somo hy avamanyāṅgiraḥsutam tatastadyuddhamabhavat prakhyātaṃ tārakāmayam
सोमो हि तरसा तां जहार, अङ्गिरःसुतं अवमन्य। ततस्तद् युद्धम् अभवत् प्रख्यातं तारकामयम्॥
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic account to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Understanding how personal adharma escalates into collective conflict; also serves as a narrative anchor for discussing just-war limits and the catastrophic cost of dishonor.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Tārakāmaya War: Abduction of Tārā and the Outbreak of Deva Conflict","lookup_keywords":["Tārā","haraṇa","Soma","Aṅgiras-suta","Tārakāmaya-yuddha"],"quick_summary":"Soma’s forceful abduction of Tārā, coupled with contempt toward Bṛhaspati (Aṅgiras’ son), triggers the famed Tārakāmaya war. The verse marks the ignition point from private offense to cosmic battle."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-nirdeśa (itihāsa-prasiddhi: ‘prakhyātam’ yuddha)
Weapon Type: General (implied deva weaponry)
Concept: Adharma at the interpersonal level can precipitate loka-kṣaya-scale conflict; disrespect (avamāna) magnifies violence.
Application: Conflict prevention: address insults and boundary violations early; uphold honor through dharmic arbitration rather than force.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Narratives (Deva-Asura conflicts; Soma–Tara episode)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Soma swiftly carries off Tārā; Bṛhaspati is shown affronted; armies of devas and opposing forces gather, heralding the Tārakāmaya war.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic diagonal composition: Soma lifting Tārā, Bṛhaspati in sage-priest form enraged, celestial armies assembling, bold outlines and saturated colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, dramatic abduction scene with gold halos, Tārā’s ornaments gleaming, Bṛhaspati and assembled devas in symmetrical war tableau, gold embossing for weapons and crowns","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, sequential narrative panels: abduction on left, insulted Bṛhaspati center, mobilizing armies right; fine detailing and clear storytelling","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fast-moving abduction in a palace-garden, courtiers and celestial warriors reacting, detailed horses/elephants and banners, refined facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: hy avamanyāṅgiraḥsutam = हि + अवमन्य + अङ्गिरःसुतम्; tatastadyuddhamabhavat = ततः + तत् + युद्धम् + अभवत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 273.6; Agni Purana 273.10
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse records a Purāṇic narrative cause—Soma’s forcible abduction and the insult to Bṛhaspati—leading to a famous divine conflict.
It demonstrates the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic scope by preserving major Purāṇic-itihāsa narratives (genealogies, divine disputes, and their consequences) alongside its many technical disciplines.
The passage functions as a moral-causal illustration: disregard of dharma and violation of marital/social order precipitate large-scale conflict and suffering, emphasizing ethical restraint and respect for rightful relationships.