Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 28
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
कृत्वा नत्वा च कौशल्यां समाश्वस्य सलक्ष्मणः सीतया भार्यया सार्धं सरथः ससुमन्त्रकः
kṛtvā natvā ca kauśalyāṃ samāśvasya salakṣmaṇaḥ sītayā bhāryayā sārdhaṃ sarathaḥ sasumantrakaḥ
وبعد أن أتمّ الشعائر الواجبة وانحنى لكوساليا، طيّب خاطرها؛ ثم مضى مصحوباً بلكشمانا، ومعه سيتا زوجته، ومع العربة وسومانترَا، فانطلق في مسيره.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic-Itihāsa material in the Agni Purana’s discourse tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Models dharmic departure: completing duties, bowing to mother, offering consolation, and departing with proper companions and conveyance.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rama’s departure protocol: rites, obeisance, consolation, and setting forth","lookup_keywords":["kausalya","lakshmana","sita","sumantra","ratha"],"quick_summary":"Narrates the orderly sequence before exile: perform due acts, bow to the mother, console her, then depart with Lakshmana, Sita, chariot, and Sumantra—showing disciplined transition from palace to forest."}
Alamkara Type: Anukrama (sequential narration)
Concept: Duty before departure: honoring parents, consoling the afflicted, and proceeding with steadiness.
Application: When undertaking major life transitions, complete obligations, seek blessings, and support those emotionally impacted.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Rama-charita narrative section)
Primary Rasa: Karuna
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rama bows to Kausalya and consoles her; Sita and Lakshmana stand ready; the chariot waits with Sumantra holding reins, signaling imminent departure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, warm palace interior, Kausalya seated with sorrow, Rama touching her feet, Sita and Lakshmana behind, chariot visible through archway, stylized ornaments and lamps, expressive eyes and flowing lines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Rama and Sita with halos, gold-leaf detailing on jewelry and palace frame, Kausalya blessing with raised hand, chariot and Sumantra in side vignette, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, gentle shading, emphasis on gesture: consolation and obeisance, detailed chariot design, readable narrative arrangement, fine borders.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace courtyard with chariot, Rama bending to mother, Sita and Lakshmana poised, Sumantra attentive, intricate textiles and architectural detail, subdued emotional palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सलक्ष्मणः = स + लक्ष्मणः (सहार्थे). सरथः = स + रथः. ससुमन्त्रकः = स + सुमन्त्रकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 6.27 (exile instruction); Agni Purana 6.29 (charity before leaving)
FAQs
It conveys dharmic protocol: performing obligatory duties and offering respectful obeisance to elders (especially one’s mother), followed by reassurance—practical conduct for righteous departure or transition.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana preserves Itihāsa-based ethical instruction; this Ramayana passage teaches social-religious norms (matṛ-bhakti, maryādā, and compassionate speech) as part of its wide-ranging knowledge corpus.
Honoring one’s mother and elders, acting with restraint, and departing without cruelty of speech are treated as dharmic merits that purify intention and support righteous action even amid hardship.