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
முன்னர் விஷ்ணுவின் தூண்டுதலால் அந்த கருவு தேவகியின் கருப்பையில் கொண்டு செல்லப்பட்டது; தேவகியின் கருப்பையிலிருந்து மாற்றப்பட்ட அந்த ஏழாவது கருவே பலன் (பலராமன்) ஆனான்.
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.