Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 15
Varāhādy-avatāra-varṇana
Description of Varāha and Other Incarnations
श्रान्तो निमन्त्रितो ऽरण्ये मुनिना जमदग्निना कामधेनुप्रभावेण भोजितः सबलो नृपः
śrānto nimantrito 'raṇye muninā jamadagninā kāmadhenuprabhāveṇa bhojitaḥ sabalo nṛpaḥ
శ్రాంతుడైన రాజు తన బలముతో కూడి అరణ్యంలో ముని జమదగ్నిచే ఆహ్వానింపబడి, కామధేనువు ప్రభావముచేత భోజనము పొందెను।
Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Teaches āśrama-dharma and atithi-satkāra: hospitality to even powerful guests; also models resourcefulness through divine/cow-based abundance.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jamadagni’s forest hospitality via Kāmadhenu","lookup_keywords":["Jamadagni","Kāmadhenu","atithi-satkāra","āśrama","bhojana"],"quick_summary":"A fatigued king and army are fed in the forest through Kāmadhenu’s miraculous provision, illustrating the primacy of hospitality and the power of sacred resources."}
Alamkara Type: Adbhuta-vṛtti (marvel through miraculous feeding)
Concept: Atithi-dharma and the sanctity of āśrama resources; power bows to dharma in sacred precincts.
Application: Practice hospitality within capacity; treat sacred/communal resources as inviolable; leaders should honor ascetics and their dependents.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Narrative (Avataras & Rishi-Charita)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Type: Forest hermitage
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a forest hermitage, sage Jamadagni welcomes the tired king and his soldiers; Kāmadhenu provides abundant food miraculously.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: serene āśrama with thatched huts and sacred fire; Jamadagni seated, blessing; Kāmadhenu near a feast spread; soldiers and king respectfully seated; rich greens and reds, stylized trees.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Kāmadhenu with ornate adornments; Jamadagni offering hospitality; king and retinue receiving food; gold leaf on vessels and halos; symmetrical devotional composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional narrative—arrangement of āśrama, serving of food, respectful gestures; delicate pastel palette; emphasis on etiquette and calm expressions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed banquet in a forest clearing; attendants serving; realistic utensils and textiles; Kāmadhenu depicted as extraordinary with subtle aura; layered foliage and animals."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निमन्त्रितो ऽरण्ये = निमन्त्रितः + अरण्ये (विसर्ग-लोप/ऽ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 4.16 (request and seizure of Kāmadhenu); Agni Purana 4.17-4.18 (retaliation and grief)
FAQs
The verse conveys the dharmic practice of atithi-satkara (formal hospitality): a rishi invites and feeds a guest, here enabled through Kāmadhenu’s miraculous power.
Alongside technical sections, the Agni Purana preserves ethical-political exempla through narratives—illustrating ideals of hospitality, ascetic power, and the interaction between kingship and rishi-tejas.
Honoring guests with food is treated as a meritorious act (dharma) that purifies the host; the rishi’s capacity to nourish even an army underscores the spiritual potency (tejas) gained through austerity and righteousness.