Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 22
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम्
Description of the War between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas
पुत्रहीनां द्रौपदीं तां रुदन्तीमर्जुनस्ततः शिरोमणिं तु जग्राह ऐषिकास्त्रेण तस्य च
putrahīnāṃ draupadīṃ tāṃ rudantīmarjunastataḥ śiromaṇiṃ tu jagrāha aiṣikāstreṇa tasya ca
随后，阿周那见德劳帕蒂失子悲泣，便以“艾湿迦”(Aiṣika)之武器夺取那人的顶髻宝珠。
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Purāṇic dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Illustrates weapon-lore (astra usage) and dharma-driven restraint: Arjuna subdues and humiliates the offender by removing the crest-jewel rather than indiscriminate killing.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Arjuna’s use of Aiṣika astra to seize Aśvatthāmā’s crest-jewel","lookup_keywords":["Arjuna","Aiṣika-astra","śiromaṇi","Draupadī","Aśvatthāmā"],"quick_summary":"Depicts Arjuna responding to Draupadī’s grief by employing the Aiṣika weapon to capture/disable Aśvatthāmā and take his crest-jewel—an emblem of punitive restraint and warrior discipline."}
Weapon Type: Astra (Aiṣika)
Concept: Justice tempered by compassion: even in vengeance, the righteous warrior may choose restraint and symbolic punishment.
Application: Conflict resolution principle: prioritize containment and accountability over escalation; use minimal force consistent with protection of society.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Katha (Mahabharata narrative exempla within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Draupadī crying in grief; Arjuna stands firm, invoking the Aiṣika weapon; Aśvatthāmā subdued as Arjuna removes the shining crest-jewel from his head.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Draupadī seated with tearful eyes, Arjuna in heroic stance with bow and astra-gesture, Aśvatthāmā restrained, jewel rendered as bright focal point, expressive faces, saturated earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, iconic grouping: Draupadī lamenting, Arjuna central with gold-ornamented attire, crest-jewel highlighted with gold foil, minimal background, devotional-epic aura.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined lines and soft shading, clear depiction of the jewel being taken, calm but tense courtroom-like staging within a camp pavilion.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed textiles and jewelry, Arjuna’s controlled action of removing the gem, attendants and warriors observing, balanced composition with narrative precision."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रुदन्तीमर्जुनः → रुदन्तीम् + अर्जुनः; (अर्जुनस्ततः in IAST) → अर्जुनः + ततः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Mahābhārata-saṅgraha passages on Aśvatthāmā’s punishment; Agni Purana Dhanurveda-related sections (astra/śastra classifications, if present in the text’s encyclopedic sweep)
FAQs
It references Dhanurveda through the named astra “Aiṣikāstra,” indicating specialized weapon-application (astra-prayoga) used to subdue or seize an opponent’s emblem of status (the śiromaṇi).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves Itihasa-based moral exempla and technical terminology (astra names) from martial science, showing how narrative, ethics, and Dhanurveda vocabulary coexist in one compendium.
The scene underscores dharmic retribution and the restoration of justice: the stripping/seizing of the crest-jewel symbolizes the downfall of wrongful power and the karmic consequence of violence against innocents.