Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 19
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
पृथ्वीरथे ब्रह्मयन्तुरीशस्य शरणो हरिः ददाह त्रिपुरं देवपालको दैत्यमर्दनः
pṛthvīrathe brahmayanturīśasya śaraṇo hariḥ dadāha tripuraṃ devapālako daityamardanaḥ
Si Hari (Viṣṇu)—ang kanlungan ni Īśa (Śiva)—ay naging tagapagmaneho ng karwahe ng Panginoon, na ang Daigdig ang naging karwahe; at bilang Tagapangalaga ng mga deva at Mamumuksa ng mga demonyo, sinunog niya ang Tripura (ang tatlong lungsod).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Teaching the iconic Tripura-dahana episode and the Hari–Rudra cooperation motif; useful for iconographic programs in temples and narrative recitation traditions.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Tripura-dahana: Earth as chariot, Hari as charioteer, Tripura burned","lookup_keywords":["Tripura-dahana","Pṛthvī-ratha","Hari sārathi","Śiva","Deva-pālaka"],"quick_summary":"The verse compresses the Tripura myth: the cosmos becomes the war-machine (Earth as chariot), Hari serves as charioteer for Īśa, and Tripura is destroyed to protect the gods."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (Earth as chariot)
Weapon Type: Bow (archery implied in Tripurāntaka)
Concept: Protection of cosmic order may require coordinated divine functions; sectarian harmony (Hari as refuge/ally of Īśa).
Application: Promotes integrative worship and cooperation across traditions; in practice, supports shared temple narratives and festivals (Tripurāntaka celebrations).
Khanda Section: Shaiva–Vaishnava Itihasa (Tripura-dahana / Deva–Asura conflict narrative)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vīra
Type: Mythic city/fortress
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast cosmic chariot: the Earth itself forms the chariot body; Śiva stands as archer aiming at three blazing aerial cities; Viṣṇu holds the reins as charioteer; Tripura ignites in a single divine act.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, monumental Tripurāntaka Śiva with bow, Viṣṇu as sārathi; Earth depicted as stylized chariot-platform; three cities in the sky catching fire; rich reds and ochres, ornate halos.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf halos and jewelry; Śiva as Tripurāntaka with bow; Viṣṇu driving; Earth-chariot rendered symbolically; three gem-like cities aflame, heavy decorative border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise linework; clear depiction of chariot mechanics (reins, axle) with Earth motif; instructional clarity on roles (archer vs charioteer); controlled flames on Tripura.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape with a globe-like chariot; Śiva aiming; Viṣṇu driving; three fortified cities in the distance erupting in fire; fine detailing of banners and attendants."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पृथ्वीरथे = पृथ्वी-रथे; ब्रह्मयन्तुरीशस्य = ब्रह्म-यन्तुः ईशस्य; देवपालको = देव-पालकः; दैत्यमर्दनः = दैत्य-मर्दनः.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Śiva-stuti/Śaiva narratives; iconography-related chapters (mūrti-lakṣaṇa) where Tripurāntaka forms may be listed
FAQs
No ritual manual is taught here; the verse conveys a theological-epic motif: divine cooperation in cosmic warfare (Tripura-dahana), emphasizing protective roles (deva-pālaka) and the defeat of demonic forces (daitya-mardana).
It preserves a key Purāṇic episode (Tripura-dahana) alongside the text’s many practical disciplines, showing that the Agni Purāṇa also functions as a compendium of pan-Indian mythic history, sectarian reconciliation, and dharmic exemplars.
Spiritually, it highlights refuge (śaraṇa) in the divine and the triumph of dharma: destructive power is framed as protective when aligned with the gods’ purpose—removing adharma symbolized by Tripura and the Daityas.