Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 11
Varāhādy-avatāra-varṇana
Description of Varāha and Other Incarnations
चक्रे बलिञ्च सूतलं तच्छक्राय ददौ हरिः शक्रो देवैर् हरिं स्तुत्वा भुवनेशः सुखी त्वभूत्
cakre baliñca sūtalaṃ tacchakrāya dadau hariḥ śakro devair hariṃ stutvā bhuvaneśaḥ sukhī tvabhūt
ہری نے بلی کو سُتَل میں ٹھہرایا اور وہ راجیہ شکر (اِندر) کو دے دیا۔ پھر شکر نے دیوتاؤں سمیت ہری کی ستوتی کی اور جہانوں کا مالک بن کر خوش ہوا۔
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic account to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Explains righteous kingship and cosmic governance: redistribution of realms, containment of adharma without annihilating devotion (Bali honored in Sutala), and restoration of Indra’s sovereignty.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Bali in Sutala; Indra Restored; Devas Praise Hari","lookup_keywords":["Sutala","Bali","Indra","Hari","stuti"],"quick_summary":"Viṣṇu assigns Bali to Sutala and restores Indra’s domain; the gods’ praise underscores that legitimate rule is grounded in divine order and dharma."}
Alamkara Type: Vyatireka (contrast of outcomes: Bali displaced yet honored; Indra restored)
Concept: Dharma as cosmic administration: power is reassigned to maintain balance; devotion and truthfulness are still honored even in an asura king.
Application: Governance should restrain harm while preserving dignity; reward virtue even in opponents; public gratitude (stuti) reinforces legitimacy.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Deva-Asura Itihasa (Vamana–Bali episode; divine kingship and cosmic governance)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Cosmic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Viṣṇu decrees Bali’s placement in Sutala while Indra, surrounded by devas, offers praise; a split-scene can show Sutala below and Svarga/royal assembly above.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with two registers: lower Sutala with jewel-toned subterranean palace and Bali; upper celestial court with Indra and devas praising Viṣṇu, ornate borders and stylized flames/clouds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore with gold-worked halos; Viṣṇu enthroned, Indra and devas in añjali; inset vignette of Bali in Sutala palace, rich ornamentation and embossed details.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting emphasizing narrative clarity; balanced composition showing transfer of authority—Viṣṇu gesturing, Indra receiving, devas praising; Sutala indicated with darker palette below.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature court scene; Indra’s assembly rendered like a durbar with celestial architecture, while a lower margin depicts Sutala with subterranean arches and Bali’s dignified posture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: baliñca = balim + ca; tacchakrāya = tat + śakrāya; devair = devaiḥ (visarga sandhi); tvabhūt = tu + abhūt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 4.9; Agni Purana 4.10
FAQs
It conveys the Purāṇic doctrine of divine governance: Viṣṇu reallocates realms (Sutala to Bali; sovereignty to Indra) and establishes stability through rightful rulership and devotional praise.
It preserves a concise cosmological-political template—how worlds/realms are assigned, how Indra’s office is restored, and how devotion (stuti) functions alongside statecraft—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s blend of mythology, cosmology, and governance themes.
The verse highlights that rightful order and prosperity arise when power is aligned with dharma and when the devas (and by extension rulers) respond with gratitude and devotion to the divine source of authority.