Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 10
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇanam
Description of the Incarnation of Śrī Rāma
शतानन्दनिमित्तेन विश्वामित्रप्रभावितः रामाय कथितो राज्ञा समुनिः पूजितः क्रतौ
śatānandanimittena viśvāmitraprabhāvitaḥ rāmāya kathito rājñā samuniḥ pūjitaḥ kratau
وبسبب شَتَانَنْدَة، تكلّم الملك—وقد تأثّر بسطوة فيشفاميترا—بهذه الأمور لراما، وأُكرم ذلك الحكيم في شعائر اليَجْنَا.
Lord Agni (narrator) to Vasiṣṭha (frame narration typical of Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Illustrates courtly dharma: honoring sages at royal rites, and the role of intermediaries (Śatānanda) in transmitting sacred narrative and legitimizing alliances.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śatānanda’s occasion: the king honors Viśvāmitra at the sacrifice and addresses Rāma","lookup_keywords":["Śatānanda","Viśvāmitra","Janaka","pūjā","kratu"],"quick_summary":"Prompted by Śatānanda, the king—under Viśvāmitra’s influence—speaks to Rāma and honors the sage within the sacrificial setting, emphasizing proper reverence to ṛṣis in state ritual."}
Alamkara Type: Hetu (causal framing: ‘nimittataḥ’)
Concept: Ṛṣi-pūjā and yajña-maryādā: spiritual authority is honored within political space; speech is guided by dharmic influence.
Application: In ceremonies and institutions, formally honor teachers/elders; let counsel from the wise shape public decisions and alliances.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Itihasa-sankalana / Narrative Section)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom/Capital
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside Janaka’s yajña pavilion, Śatānanda occasions the discourse; the king addresses Rāma while Viśvāmitra is ceremonially honored amid priests, fires, and offerings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: yajña-maṇḍapa with three fires, priests in white, Janaka seated on a low throne, Rāma standing respectfully; Viśvāmitra receiving arghya; stylized flames and ritual vessels, ornate floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Janaka with crown and halo-like aureole, offering a golden arghya vessel to Viśvāmitra; Rāma in royal yet ascetic restraint; heavy gold leaf on throne, vessels, and jewelry; rich temple-like backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear depiction of ritual protocol—pūjā tray (arghya, pādya), kuṇḍa, ladles; Śatānanda gesturing as narrator; soft colors and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly interior with patterned carpets, detailed yajña implements, Janaka conversing with Rāma; Viśvāmitra honored with gifts; naturalistic faces and textiles, architectural arches framing the scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: समुनिः = स + मुनिः (कर्मधारय).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 5.9 (arrival context); Agni Purana 5.11 (bow event follows)
FAQs
It highlights yajña protocol: a muni (sage) is to be formally honored within the kratu, and royal speech/actions in ritual settings are guided by authoritative rishis.
By embedding Itihāsa (Ramayana narrative) within a Purāṇic framework, it links royal conduct, ritual culture (kratu), and rishi-authority—showing how story, dharma, and yajña practice interconnect.
Honoring sages during sacrifice is presented as dharmic conduct that supports the sanctity of the yajña and accrues merit through proper reverence to spiritual authority.