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
“黑暗、风、火、云”——此乃非人（超自然）之幻力（māyā）。毗摩（Bhīma）化作女子之形，击杀计遮迦（Kīcaka）。
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.