Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 13
Chapter 13 — कुरुपाण्डवोत्पत्त्यादिकथनं
Narration of the Origin of the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas, and Related Matters
ततस्तु एकचक्रायां ब्राह्मणस्य निवेशने मुनिवेषाः स्थिताः सर्वे निहत्य वकराक्षसम्
tatastu ekacakrāyāṃ brāhmaṇasya niveśane muniveṣāḥ sthitāḥ sarve nihatya vakarākṣasam
Rồi tại Ekacakrā, trong nhà một vị brāhmaṇa, tất cả họ—mang dáng vẻ các ẩn sĩ—ở lại đó, sau khi đã giết rākṣasa Vaka.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana frame: Agni instructing/narrating to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Shows protective dharma: safeguarding a brāhmaṇa household and community by removing a predatory threat; also models strategic concealment during exile.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ekacakrā Sojourn and Slaying of Vaka Rākṣasa","lookup_keywords":["Ekacakra","Vaka rakshasa","Pandavas disguise","brahmana dwelling","rakshasa-vadha"],"quick_summary":"Narrates the Pāṇḍavas’ stay in Ekacakrā disguised as ascetics and the killing of Vaka, restoring safety to the local community."}
Weapon Type: Gadā/physical combat (Bhīma vs rākṣasa, implied)
Concept: Rakṣaṇa-dharma: the strong bear responsibility to protect the vulnerable; humility through disguise during adversity.
Application: Community ethics: intervene against predation; balance secrecy and service when under threat.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Purana Narratives (Dharma, heroic episodes, Rakshasa-vadha)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The Pāṇḍavas in ascetic disguise at a brāhmaṇa’s home in Ekacakrā; the climactic confrontation where Vaka rākṣasa is slain, villagers relieved.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, rustic village setting, brāhmaṇa hut, Pāṇḍavas as sage-like figures, fierce Vaka with exaggerated features, dynamic duel composition, bold outlines and earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heroic Bhīma confronting Vaka, gold highlights on weapons/ornaments, inset of brāhmaṇa household offering hospitality, ornate framing, triumphant yet dharmic mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative clarity: first panel of disguised stay, second panel of combat, fine detailing of garments and expressions, balanced composition emphasizing dharma-protection.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed village landscape, brāhmaṇa dwelling, disguised heroes, dramatic monster-slaying scene with refined anatomy and textiles, spectators at a distance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"heroic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ततस्तु→ततः तु; मुनिवेषाः (मुनि- + वेषाः); वकराक्षसम्→वक-राक्षसम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa: exile episodes and rākṣasa-vadha sequence
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse records a narrative action—staying in a brāhmaṇa’s house at Ekacakrā after the slaying of the rākṣasa Vaka—highlighting conduct and circumstance rather than procedure.
It shows the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope by preserving itihāsa–purāṇa style narrative material alongside technical chapters elsewhere—using exemplary stories (rakshasa-vadha, dharmic refuge in a brāhmaṇa’s home, ascetic disguise) to transmit cultural and ethical motifs.
The implied takeaway is that protecting society by removing violent, adharmic forces (a rākṣasa) and honoring brāhmaṇa hospitality while maintaining disciplined conduct (muni-veṣa) supports dharma and yields auspicious karmic outcomes.