Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 14
पाण्डवचरितवर्णनम्
The Account of the Pāṇḍavas
इन्द्रानीतरथारूढः सानुजः स्वर्गमाप्तवान् दृष्ट्वा दुर्योधनादींश् च वासुदेवं च हर्षितः एतत्ते भारतं प्रोक्तं यः पठेत्स दिवं व्रजेत्
indrānītarathārūḍhaḥ sānujaḥ svargamāptavān dṛṣṭvā duryodhanādīṃś ca vāsudevaṃ ca harṣitaḥ etatte bhārataṃ proktaṃ yaḥ paṭhetsa divaṃ vrajet
اِندر کے لائے ہوئے رتھ پر سوار ہو کر وہ اپنے چھوٹے بھائی سمیت سُورگ کو پہنچا۔ دُریودھن وغیرہ اور واسودیو کو دیکھ کر وہ خوش ہوا۔ یوں یہ بھارت تم سے بیان کیا گیا؛ جو اسے پڑھے وہ دیویہ لوک کو جاتا ہے۔
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Itihasa-Samgraha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Phala-śruti as motivation for śravaṇa/pāṭha of Mahābhārata-sāra; used in kathā/pravacana to conclude and inspire regular recitation.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Bhārata-pāṭha-phala (Svargaprāpti)","lookup_keywords":["phalaśruti","Bhārata-pāṭha","svarga","Indra-ratha","Vāsudeva-darśana"],"quick_summary":"The verse frames Mahābhārata-sāra recitation as a meritorious act leading to heavenly attainment; it functions as a concluding phalaśruti for listeners/reciters."}
Alamkara Type: Phalaśruti (arthavāda) with narrative imagery
Concept: Śravaṇa–pāṭha of itihāsa as dharma-sādhana yielding puṇya and higher gati.
Application: Establish daily/periodic recitation or listening to Bhārata-kathā as a vrata-like discipline for ethical orientation and merit.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Samgraha (Mahabharata-Sankshepa / Phala-shruti)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Loka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A hero ascends to Svarga on Indra’s chariot with his younger brother; in heaven he beholds Duryodhana and others, and also Vāsudeva, and becomes joyful; the narrator concludes with the promise of heaven for reciters.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Indra’s celestial chariot with ornate wheels and parasols, two brothers seated, apsaras and gandharvas in the sky, Svarga palace backdrop, Vāsudeva standing radiant with halo, rich earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf Svarga architecture, Indra’s ratha with embossed gold details, two figures seated, Vāsudeva with prabhāmaṇḍala, jewel-like ornaments, symmetrical devotional framing, deep maroon background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework showing the chariot ascent and a courtly Svarga scene, soft pastel palette, emphasis on narrative clarity—Duryodhana and others in a heavenly assembly, Vāsudeva central, minimal background clutter","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed celestial court with Indra’s chariot arriving, layered architecture and gardens of heaven, finely patterned textiles, expressive faces showing delight, Vāsudeva luminous yet rendered in courtly style"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इन्द्रानीतरथारूढः = इन्द्रानीत-रथ-आरूढः; स्वर्गमाप्तवान् = स्वर्गम् आप्तवान्; दुर्योधनादींश्च = दुर्योधन-आदीन् च; एतत्ते = एतत् ते; पठेत्स = पठेत् सः.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 15 (Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa) concluding phalaśruti; Agni Purāṇa 1–10 (general phalaśruti patterns in purāṇic narration)
FAQs
It imparts phala-śruti (merit statement): the practice of pāṭha (recitation/reading) of the Bhārata is presented as a spiritually efficacious discipline leading to heavenly attainment.
By compressing Itihāsa (Mahābhārata) into a synopsis and attaching a phala-śruti, the Agni Purāṇa functions as a catalog of major Hindu knowledge-systems—integrating narrative history, theology (Vāsudeva), and soteriological practice (recitation as merit).
The verse frames recitation of the Bhārata as a merit-generating act (puṇya) that purifies and elevates the practitioner, culminating in divam/svarga-gati (attainment of the celestial realm).