Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 5
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
नापश्यत् पानभूम्यादौ सीतां चिन्तापरायणः अशोकवनिकां गत्वा दृष्टवाञ्छिंशपातले
nāpaśyat pānabhūmyādau sītāṃ cintāparāyaṇaḥ aśokavanikāṃ gatvā dṛṣṭavāñchiṃśapātale
وكان غارقًا في القلق والتفكّر، فلم يرَ سِيتا أولًا في موضع الشراب ولا في سائر المواضع؛ ثم مضى إلى بستان الأَشُوكَة، فرأى سِيتا تحت شجرة شِمْشَبَا (śiṃśapā).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Model of systematic search: eliminate likely locations first, then proceed to the decisive locus (Aśoka grove); also illustrates anxiety management through purposeful action.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sītā’s Discovery: From False Leads to Aśoka Grove (Śiṃśapā Tree)","lookup_keywords":["Ashoka-vatika","Shimshapa","Sita discovery","Hanuman search","chinta"],"quick_summary":"Hanumat searches common pleasure-grounds first and fails; then, driven by concern, he reaches Aśoka-vāṭikā and finds Sītā under the śiṃśapā—showing both method and narrative turning-point."}
Alamkara Type: Vyatireka (contrast: not found here, found there)
Concept: Ekāgratā through karma—channeling worry into disciplined action.
Application: In crisis, define search-space, test hypotheses, then move to higher-probability locations; keep mind tethered to task.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Itihasa-narrative within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred grove
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hanumat searching Laṅkā’s pleasure-grounds and halls, then entering the Aśoka grove; Sītā sits sorrowful beneath a śiṃśapā tree.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, lush Aśoka grove with stylized foliage, Sītā seated under śiṃśapā in modest attire, Hanumat hidden among branches, strong outlines and saturated greens/reds, expressive eyes conveying sorrow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Sītā under a decorated tree with gold-leaf accents on leaves and ornaments, Hanumat small and reverent at a distance, rich textile patterns, devotional framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, gentle shading, sequential vignette: searching halls then entering grove; Sītā under śiṃśapā with restrained emotion, clear storytelling composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed garden with flowering trees and pathways, Sītā seated under a tree with attendants implied, Hanumat peering from foliage, fine botanical detail and courtly garden design"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नापश्यत् = न + अपश्यत्; पानभूम्यादौ = पानभूमि + आदौ (य्-आगम); दृष्टवाञ्छिंशपातले = दृष्टवान् + शिंशपातले (न् + श् → ञ्छ् संधि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9 (Sītā-darśana under śiṃśapā; subsequent dialogue)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse is narrative, describing the search-location sequence culminating in Sītā being seen under the śiṃśapā tree in the Aśoka grove.
It shows the Agni Purana’s inclusion of Itihāsa-style narration (Ramayana episodes) alongside its many technical sections, serving as a compendium that preserves both doctrine/vidyās and celebrated sacred history.
The passage highlights steadfast effort and hope amid anxiety—persistence in dharmic purpose is portrayed as leading to auspicious discovery and divine reassurance.