Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 30
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
भेदयामास रामञ्च उवाचाब्धिः समागतः नलेन सेतुं बध्वाब्धौ लङ्कां व्रज गभीरकः
bhedayāmāsa rāmañca uvācābdhiḥ samāgataḥ nalena setuṃ badhvābdhau laṅkāṃ vraja gabhīrakaḥ
ثم ظهر البحر وخاطب راما قائلاً: «يا أيها البطل العظيم، مُرْ نالا أن يبني جسراً على البحر، ثم امضِ إلى لنكا».
The Ocean (Samudra/Abdhi) speaking to Rama (as narrated within Agni Purana’s Rama-katha section, typically relayed by Lord Agni to Vasiṣṭha in the larger dialogue frame).
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Shows negotiation with natural/administrative obstacles and delegation to technical expertise (Nala) for infrastructure solutions.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ocean’s Counsel: Build Nala’s Bridge and March to Lanka","lookup_keywords":["Samudra speech","Nala","setu bandha","bridge over sea","Lanka march"],"quick_summary":"The ocean personified advises a practical method: have Nala construct a bridge across the sea, enabling the army’s passage—mythic framing of engineering through sanctioned procedure."}
Alamkara Type: Purushopama/Personification (Samudra as speaker)
Concept: Right action harmonizes resolve with appropriate means—force yields to guidance, and guidance yields to skilled execution.
Application: When blocked, seek the correct method and the right expert; convert confrontation into constructive solution.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Sankshipta (Rama-katha / Bridge to Lanka episode)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Sea
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The ocean rises in personified form before Rama, offering counsel to build a bridge through Nala and proceed to Lanka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Samudra-deva emerging from stylized waves with crown and aquatic motifs, hands in respectful gesture; Rama standing firm with bow lowered; vibrant blues/greens with ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Samudra-deva with gold halo and embossed ornaments rising from the sea; Rama and Lakshmana on shore; gold leaf highlights on waves and divine jewelry, symmetrical devotional framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative—Samudra speaking, pointing toward the sea-route; Nala indicated as engineer figure in background; delicate lines, calm palette, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: dramatic seascape with personified ocean deity emerging; Rama’s camp on shore with monkeys and banners; detailed water texture and atmospheric perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"awe-filled","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rāmañca → rāmam ca; uvācābdhiḥ → uvāca abdhiḥ; badhvābdhau → badhvā abdhau.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9.29 (ocean petition and threat); Agni Purana 9.31 (bridge materials and crossing)
FAQs
It conveys strategic and practical instruction: the Ocean advises Rama to have Nala construct a sea-bridge (setu) as the means to cross to Lanka—an applied method for overcoming a natural barrier in a dharmic campaign.
Alongside rituals and doctrines, the Agni Purana preserves Itihasa material (Rama-katha) that includes governance-and-war pragmatics—here, logistical planning (bridge-building) presented as divinely sanctioned counsel.
The Ocean’s submission and guidance underscore dharma’s alignment with nature and the gods: when the cause is righteous and disciplined, obstacles yield and even cosmic forces cooperate, supporting the devotee’s rightful duty.