Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 4
मत्स्यावतारवर्णनम्
The Description of the Matsya Incarnation
मनुर्वैवस्वतस्तेपे तपो वै भुक्तिमुक्तये एकदा कृतमालायां कुर्वतो जलतर्पणं
manurvaivasvatastepe tapo vai bhuktimuktaye ekadā kṛtamālāyāṃ kurvato jalatarpaṇaṃ
摩奴·毗婆斯伐多为求得世间享受与解脱而修苦行。一次，在克利塔玛拉河岸边，当他正在行水供（tarpaṇa）之时，
Lord Agni (narrating in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for ritual purification and ancestral/deity satisfaction through jalatarpaṇa at a riverbank; models tapas combined with daily rites for both bhukti and mukti aims.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Jalatarpaṇa on Kṛtamālā during Manu’s Tapas","lookup_keywords":["Manu Vaivasvata","tapas","bhukti-mukti","Krtamala river","jalatarpana"],"quick_summary":"Shows Manu performing austerity oriented to both worldly welfare and liberation, and performing water-libations at a sacred river—an exemplar of integrating tapas with nitya/naimittika rites."}
Concept: Integration of pravṛtti (bhukti) and nivṛtti (mukti) aims through disciplined tapas and ritual action.
Application: Frame daily/seasonal rites (tarpaṇa, snāna, japa) as supports for both ethical prosperity and inner liberation, avoiding one-sided pursuit.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tirtha-karmas (Ritual purification and libations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Manu Vaivasvata sits on a calm riverbank performing jalatarpaṇa, hands cupped, water dripping back into the river; ascetic implements nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Manu as a serene rishi-king with simple ornaments, seated by stylized Kṛtamālā with lotus clusters, hands in añjali holding water, muted earth tones, temple-mural border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Manu seated on a small platform by the river, gold-leaf halo and ornaments, bright river blues, ritual vessels (kamandalu) with gold detailing, rich textile patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of jalatarpaṇa posture and hand-cupping, labeled ritual items (kamandalu, darbha), gentle landscape, soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic riverbank with reeds and birds, Manu in fine garments performing libation, attendants at a respectful distance, delicate architectural pavilion hinted in background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: manuḥ vaivasvataḥ → manurvaivasvataḥ; vaivasvataḥ tepe → vaivasvatastepe
Related Themes: Agni Purana puja-vidhi and tirtha-karmas sections on tarpaṇa and snāna; Agni Purana Matsya/Manu narrative sequence
FAQs
It introduces the tarpaṇa rite—offering water as a formal libation—performed in a tīrtha setting, framed as a disciplined karmic practice connected to spiritual aims.
By situating a narrative around a concrete ritual act (jala-tarpaṇa) at a named sacred river, it functions as a gateway into practical dharma topics—tīrtha-karmas, purification, and ritual procedure—alongside broader spiritual goals.
It links tapas and ritual libations with both bhukti (legitimate worldly fruition) and mukti (liberation), presenting disciplined ritual action as a means of purification and merit leading toward higher ends.