Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 65
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
तमो ऽनिलो ऽनलो मेघ इति माया ह्य् अमानुषी जघान कीचकं भीम आस्थितः स्त्रीरूपतां
tamo 'nilo 'nalo megha iti māyā hy amānuṣī jaghāna kīcakaṃ bhīma āsthitaḥ strīrūpatāṃ
“تاریکی، ہوا، آگ، بادل”—یہ غیر انسانی (فوقِ انسانی) مایا تھی؛ عورت کا روپ دھار کر بھیَم نے کیچک کو قتل کیا۔
Lord Agni (narrating puranic-itihasa material to Vashistha, per common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Narrative exemplum: illustrates māyā (supernatural illusion) and strategic disguise in crisis, drawn from Mahābhārata’s Virāṭa-parva (Kīcaka-vadha).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kīcaka-vadha: Bhīma’s Disguise and Māyā of Elements","lookup_keywords":["Kichaka-vadha","Virata-parva","Bhima","maya","strirupa"],"quick_summary":"A supernatural illusion described as darkness, wind, fire, and cloud accompanies Bhīma’s act of slaying Kīcaka while assuming a woman’s form—highlighting disguise and extraordinary agency in dharma-protection."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/utprekṣā-like marvel description of elemental māyā
Concept: Dharma may require strategic concealment; māyā/disguise can serve protection of the vulnerable and restoration of order.
Application: In ethical crises, prioritize protection and proportional response; use non-escalatory strategy when open action endangers dependents.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Puranic Narrative (Mahabharata Episode: Virata-parva / Kichaka-vadha)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stormy, illusion-filled night: darkness swirls with wind, tongues of fire, and cloud-masses; Bhīma, disguised in a woman’s form, strikes down Kīcaka in a palace corridor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural dramatic palace-night scene, swirling black-blue clouds, stylized flames and wind lines, Bhīma in feminine disguise with powerful stance, Kīcaka falling, bold contours and expressive eyes","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with ornate palace interior, gold detailing on pillars and garments, Bhīma in women’s attire mid-strike, Kīcaka collapsing, background of cloud and fire motifs rendered with gold highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting narrative clarity: labeled figures Bhīma and Kīcaka, subdued storm motifs (tama/anila/anala/megha) around them, elegant lines, emphasis on storytelling and gesture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature palace corridor at night, detailed textiles, dramatic clouded sky visible through arches, Bhīma in disguise delivering the blow, attendants peeking from behind screens"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tamo 'nilo 'nalo → tamaḥ anilaḥ analaḥ; māyā hy → māyā hi; bhīma āsthitaḥ → bhīmaḥ āsthitaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihāsa-nibandha passages citing Mahābhārata episodes (general)
FAQs
No ritual or medical vidyā is taught here; the verse conveys narrative use of māyā (a supernatural guise/disguise) within an epic episode culminating in Kīcaka’s death.
It shows the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope by incorporating Itihasa material (Mahabharata episodes) alongside its many technical sections—preserving moral-historical narratives as part of its wide-ranging knowledge corpus.
The episode functions as a dharmic exemplar: wrongdoing (Kīcaka’s abuse) leads to downfall, while righteous protection of honor and justice (Bhīma’s act) is portrayed as morally sanctioned force.