Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 21
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
अपां फेनमयो भूत्वा देवासुररणे हरन् वृत्रं देवहरं विष्णुर्देवधर्मानपालयत्
apāṃ phenamayo bhūtvā devāsuraraṇe haran vṛtraṃ devaharaṃ viṣṇurdevadharmānapālayat
毗湿奴仿佛化作水之泡沫，于天神与阿修罗之战中诛灭弗栗陀——掠夺诸天者——由此护持天众之法（dharma）秩序。
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vashistha, Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Conveys the motif of divine intervention to restore dharma; useful for teaching symbolic cosmology (water-foam form) and the safeguarding of deva-dharma.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Foam-of-waters manifestation and the slaying of Vṛtra to protect deva-dharma","lookup_keywords":["Apāṃ phena","Vṛtra-vadha","Viṣṇu","Deva–Asura battle","Dharma protection"],"quick_summary":"Viṣṇu assumes a water-foam-like form and kills Vṛtra, the despoiler of the gods, thereby preserving the dharmic order of the devas."}
Alamkara Type: Utprekṣā (as if made of foam)
Concept: Dharma/ṛta is preserved by removing obstruction; the divine assumes forms suited to the cosmic task (upāya).
Application: In personal practice and ethics, treat ‘obstructions’ (inner vṛtra: inertia, greed) as primary targets; remove them to restore clarity and right action.
Khanda Section: Avataras and Deva-Asura Itihasa (Puranic Mythology)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vīra
Type: Cosmic element
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A surging ocean scene: Viṣṇu appears as a luminous froth/foam-bodied figure rising from waters; Vṛtra, a massive serpent-like demon, is struck down; devas watch as the waters and order are freed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized waves and froth; Viṣṇu with foam-like aura, blue-green palette; Vṛtra as dark coiling serpent; devas in the sky with halos; dramatic yet flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Viṣṇu emerging from waters with gold-highlighted foam aura; Vṛtra as ornate serpent-demon; devas in upper register; rich blues with gold accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed wave patterns and froth; clear depiction of Viṣṇu’s unusual ‘foam-body’ effect; Vṛtra’s coils and defeat shown with instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, finely painted river/ocean with white froth; Viṣṇu rising luminous; Vṛtra as dragon-serpent; devas as onlookers in the margins; intricate naturalistic water texture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Megh","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवासुररणे = देव-असुर-रणे; विष्णुर्देवधर्मानपालयत् = विष्णुः देव-धर्मान् अपालयत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Viṣṇu’s protective deeds catalogues; deva–asura conflict summaries
FAQs
This verse primarily imparts dharma-vidya in narrative form: the principle that divine power manifests in whatever form is necessary to remove obstruction (Vṛtra) and protect cosmic and social order (deva-dharma).
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana preserves itihāsa–purāṇa narratives that encode theology and dharma: Vishnu’s adaptive manifestation and the defeat of obstructive forces becomes a doctrinal anchor for other practical sections (rajadharma, rites, expiations) that depend on maintaining dharmic order.
Spiritually, it affirms that protecting dharma is a supreme merit-bearing act and that the removal of obstruction (vṛtra as “blocker”) is aligned with divine will; karmically, supporting dharma and resisting adharma are portrayed as sustaining the world’s rightful order.