Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 18
Kūrma-avatāra-varṇana (The Description of the Tortoise Incarnation) — Samudra Manthana and the Reordering of Cosmic Prosperity
दर्शयामास रुद्राय स्त्रीरूपं भगवान् हरिः मायया मोहितः शम्भुः गौरीं त्यक्त्वा स्त्रियं गतः
darśayāmāsa rudrāya strīrūpaṃ bhagavān hariḥ māyayā mohitaḥ śambhuḥ gaurīṃ tyaktvā striyaṃ gataḥ
భగవాన్ హరి రుద్రునికి స్త్రీరూపాన్ని చూపెను. హరి మాయచేత మోహితుడైన శంభువు గౌరీని విడిచి ఆ స్త్రీని అనుసరించెను.
Lord Agni (narrating within the Purāṇic discourse to Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purāṇa narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Narrative exemplum on māyā’s power and the need for self-mastery; also supports temple storytelling cycles around Mohinī and Hari-Hara themes.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Mohinī-Māyā: Rudra’s Moha","lookup_keywords":["Mohini","maya","Rudra","Shambhu","Gauri"],"quick_summary":"Hari shows a bewitching female form to Rudra; Śambhu, deluded by māyā, leaves Gaurī and pursues her—highlighting the cosmic play of illusion and desire."}
Concept: Moha arises even in exalted beings when māyā is operative; vigilance (apramāda) and vairāgya are essential.
Application: Use the story as a meditation on desire’s momentum; adopt restraints (yama/niyama), japa, and guru-upadeśa to counter moha.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Hari-Hara Narratives (Mohini/illusion episode)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hari as Mohinī appears before Rudra; Śiva, enchanted, turns away from Gaurī and follows the alluring figure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Mohinī luminous at center, Śiva with trident stepping forward, Gaurī left behind with sorrowful gaze, swirling māyā aura, saturated reds/greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Mohinī with gold-embossed ornaments, Śiva reaching forward, Gaurī seated with lotus, heavy gold work emphasizing enchantment and divinity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear narrative staging: Mohinī leading, Śiva following, Gaurī in background; fine facial expressions, delicate jewelry, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, garden-like divine setting, Mohinī in flowing garments, Śiva in ascetic attire yet captivated, Gaurī watching, intricate flora and borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major sandhi beyond standard visarga; sequence indicates: Hari showed the female form to Rudra; Śambhu, deluded by māyā, abandoned Gaurī and went to the woman.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Hari-Hara saṃvāda themes; Agni Purana: māyā and līlā descriptions
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys theological knowledge about māyā—how divine illusion can overwhelm even great beings—serving as a caution for practitioners to cultivate discrimination (viveka) and restraint.
Alongside its manuals on ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves mythic-theological case studies; this narrative functions as a doctrinal lesson on māyā, desire, and detachment, complementing its practical sections with ethical-spiritual instruction.
It underscores that attachment and infatuation arise from māyā; the takeaway is to guard the mind, remain devoted to dharma, and not abandon rightful duties or relationships under the sway of delusion.