Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 7
Somavaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lunar Dynasty
न शशाकापचाराय शापैः शस्त्रादिभिः पुनः सप्तलोकैकनाथत्वमवाप्तस्तपसा ह्य् उत
na śaśākāpacārāya śāpaiḥ śastrādibhiḥ punaḥ saptalokaikanāthatvamavāptastapasā hy uta
எந்தக் குற்றத்திற்காகவும் அவனை மீண்டும் அழிக்க முடியவில்லை—சாபங்களாலும் ஆயுதங்களாலும் முதலியவற்றாலும் அல்ல—ஏனெனில் தவத்தால் அவன் ஏழு உலகங்களின் ஒரே நாதன் என்ற நிலையை அடைந்திருந்தான்.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to Sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Teaching the protective power of tapas (austerity) and earned sovereignty: resilience against external harms (śāpa/śastra) through disciplined sādhanā and merit.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Tapas-bala: Immunity from Curse and Weapon; Seven-World Lordship","lookup_keywords":["tapas","śāpa","śastra","saptaloka","ekānāthatva"],"quick_summary":"Austerity is presented as a power that grants near-inviolability against curses and weapons, culminating in cosmic sovereignty. The verse links ethical-spiritual capital to worldly and supra-worldly authority."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic invulnerability)
Weapon Type: Śastra (generic weapons)
Concept: Tapas as transformative power (bala) that overrides ordinary causality of harm (śāpa/śastra).
Application: Promotes disciplined restraint, vows, and sustained practice as the foundation of authority and protection—applicable to leadership ethics and personal resilience.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Puranic Kingship and Sovereignty (Narrative-Theological Section)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Cosmology
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant Soma stands unshaken as curses and weapons symbolically fail; the seven worlds are suggested around him as concentric cosmic realms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Soma with luminous moon aura, sages casting symbolic śāpa gestures, warriors with lowered weapons, concentric cosmic bands representing seven worlds, bold reds/greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central enthroned Soma with gold halo, miniature icons of seven worlds around, sages and warriors at sides, heavy gold embossing for cosmic radiance","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional cosmic diagram feel: Soma at center, labeled/implicit seven-loka rings, subdued elegance, fine detailing of curse/weapon motifs","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical court scene: Soma calm amid agitated figures with scrolls (curses) and arms (weapons), celestial map-like border indicating seven worlds"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शशाकापचाराय = शशाक + अपचाराय; सaptalokaikanāthatvamavāptaḥ = सप्तलोकैकनाथत्वम् + अवाप्तः; tapasā hy uta = तपसा + हि + उत.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 273.6; Agni Purana 273.9
FAQs
It teaches the doctrine of tapas as a power-conferring discipline: sustained austerity generates a protective and sovereign potency that neutralizes external harms such as curses and weapons.
Alongside practical disciplines, the Agni Purana also systematizes cosmology and power-theology—linking spiritual practice (tapas) with political/cosmic authority (sapta-loka overlordship) and the mechanics of protection against śāpa and śastra.
The verse underscores that accumulated merit and inner force from austerity can outweigh hostile karma-producing acts, making the practitioner resilient to both supernatural (curse) and worldly (weapon) threats.