Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 50
Chapter 12 — श्रीहरिवंशवर्णनं (Śrī-Harivaṃśa-varṇana) | The Description of the Sacred Harivaṃśa
जृम्भते शङ्करे नष्टे जृम्भणास्त्रेण विष्णुना छिन्नं सहस्रं बाहूनां रुद्रेणाभयमर्थितम्
jṛmbhate śaṅkare naṣṭe jṛmbhaṇāstreṇa viṣṇunā chinnaṃ sahasraṃ bāhūnāṃ rudreṇābhayamarthitam
เมื่อพระวิษณุใช้อาวุธชฤมฺภณา (Jṛmbhaṇa) ทำให้พระศังกระหาวจนสิ้นกำลัง แขนของพระวิษณุถูกตัดขาดถึงหนึ่งพันแขน; แล้วพระรุทระจึงทูลขอคำรับรองแห่งความปลอดภัยจากพระองค์
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s frame-dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Understanding Purāṇic conflict-resolution motifs and the notion of divine weapons (astra) as narrative devices; also used in discourse on Hari–Hara relations.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jṛmbhaṇāstra and Rudra’s Abhaya-yācñā","lookup_keywords":["Jṛmbhaṇāstra","yawning weapon","Hari-Hara battle","Rudra abhaya","severed arms"],"quick_summary":"Viṣṇu employs the Jṛmbhaṇāstra to incapacitate Śaṅkara; the episode pivots to reconciliation when Rudra seeks assurance of safety, framing conflict as a prelude to concord."}
Weapon Type: Astra (Jṛmbhaṇāstra)
Concept: Even among divine powers, conflict is subordinated to protection (abhaya) and restoration of harmony.
Application: Model for resolving disputes: demonstrate restraint, then offer/seek safety assurances to end hostility.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Deva-Asura/Devata narratives (Puranic Itihasa)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Viṣṇu releases the Jṛmbhaṇāstra; Śaṅkara/Rudra is shown yawning and momentarily incapacitated; severed arms (symbolic) and Rudra then approaches seeking abhaya (assurance of safety).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, bold flat colors, ornate jewelry; Viṣṇu with many arms in dynamic stance casting an astra; Śaṅkara yawning with softened posture; attendants and celestial aura; dramatic but sacred composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; central Viṣṇu multi-armed with astra-mudrā, haloed; Śaṅkara with trident and crescent moon shown subdued then in respectful gesture; rich textiles, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework; instructional narrative panel: astra emission, yawning effect on Śaṅkara, then abhaya-yācñā; muted palette, refined faces, clear sequencing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed battlefield courtly scene; Viṣṇu with multiple arms stylized, Śaṅkara yawning in surprise; courtiers/gaṇas watching; fine architectural border and landscape, intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rudreṇābhayamarthitam = rudreṇa + abhayam + arthitam. jṛmbhaṇāstreṇa = jṛmbhaṇa + astreṇa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 12.51; Agni Purana 12.52
FAQs
It references a specific astra—Jṛmbhaṇa-astra—indicating the Purāṇic taxonomy of divine weapons and their effects (here, inducing yawning/incapacitation).
By preserving named astras and their functions within narrative episodes, the text doubles as a catalog of martial/strategic motifs alongside theology—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark encyclopedic features.
The verse underscores the supremacy of divine order over egoic conflict: even great deities seek abhayam (assurance/safety), pointing to humility and reconciliation as dharmic outcomes after cosmic confrontation.