Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 19
Kūrma-avatāra-varṇana (The Description of the Tortoise Incarnation) — Samudra Manthana and the Reordering of Cosmic Prosperity
नग्न उन्मत्तरूपो ऽभूत् स्त्रियः केशानधारयत् अगाद्विमुच्य केशान् स्त्री अन्वधावच्च ताङ्गताम्
nagna unmattarūpo 'bhūt striyaḥ keśānadhārayat agādvimucya keśān strī anvadhāvacca tāṅgatām
Naging hubad siya at nag-anyong parang baliw. Hinawakan niya ang buhok ng mga babae; at pagkabitaw sa buhok, tumakbo siya palayo—samantalang ang babae rin ay humabol at nakarating sa dakong iyon.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha; default Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Moral-illustrative lore warning against uncontrolled passion and social transgression; used in discourse to underline maryādā and self-restraint.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Unmāda-veśa and Anucita-ceṣṭā (Madness-like Conduct in Moha)","lookup_keywords":["nagna","unmatta","kesha","anudhavat","moha"],"quick_summary":"Under delusion, the figure behaves like a madman—naked, grabbing hair, running and being chased—depicting the loss of dignity and discernment when desire overwhelms."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Alamkara Type: Anukaraṇa (vivid enactment) / Bhāva-prakāśana
Concept: Indriya-asamyama leads to anartha and social/ethical collapse; dignity (lajjā) and viveka are dharmic safeguards.
Application: Cultivate restraint, avoid intoxication of mind (moha), and adhere to conduct codes; treat obsession as a signal to step back and re-center.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Purana Kathana (Narrative Episode / Moral-illustrative lore)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A frenzied, naked figure runs wildly, grabbing women by their hair; the pursued woman chases after him in chaotic motion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic chase scene, exaggerated expressive faces, swirling lines indicating frenzy, muted yet intense palette, moralizing tone","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, stylized figures with strong outlines, gold accents minimized to keep the scene cautionary, palace/forest edge backdrop, frozen dramatic gestures","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, narrative clarity with sequential action cues (grabbing hair, releasing, running), fine linework, restrained color, didactic illustration feel","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling scene with attendants and architecture, detailed textiles, the central figure in disarray contrasted with composed onlookers, motion conveyed through diagonals"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रूपो 'भूत् = रूपः अभूत्; केशानधारयत् = केशान् अधारयत्; अगाद्विमुच्य = अगात् विमुच्य; अन्वधावच्च = अन्वधावत् च. ‘स्त्रियः’ taken as epic gen. sg. for स्त्रियाः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: dharma/ācāra discussions; Agni Purana: narratives illustrating moha
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as narrative description highlighting deviant, harmful conduct (violent harassment) as a negative example within a story.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves illustrative narratives. Such passages broaden the text’s scope by embedding social-ethical instruction (dharma through story) within its encyclopedic compilation.
By depicting shamelessness, madness-like behavior, and aggression toward women, the verse implies adharma that leads to demerit (pāpa) and social disorder—serving as a caution against actions that violate dignity and safety.