Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 7
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇana
Description of the Incarnation of Sri Rama
अभूत् पूर्मथुरा काचित् रामोक्तो भरतो ऽवधीत् कोटित्रयञ्च शैलूष- पुत्राणां निशितैः शरैः
abhūt pūrmathurā kācit rāmokto bharato 'vadhīt koṭitrayañca śailūṣa- putrāṇāṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
পূৰ্বকালত ‘মথুৰা’ নামে এটা নগৰ/বসতি আছিল। ৰামৰ আদেশত ভৰত তীক্ষ্ণ শৰৰে শৈলূষৰ পুত্ৰসকলৰ তিন কোটি (তিৰিশ মিলিয়ন)ক বধ কৰিলে।
Lord Agni (narrating puranic-itihasa material to a sage interlocutor, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Mythic-hyperbolic war report used to emphasize obedience to command and overwhelming martial efficacy; also functions as a toponymic memory of ‘(Pūrva) Mathurā’.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Bharata’s mass slaying of Śailūṣa’s sons at (former) Mathurā by Rāma’s command","lookup_keywords":["Mathurā (pūrva)","Bharata","Śailūṣa-putra","koṭitraya","śara"],"quick_summary":"At Rāma’s command, Bharata destroys an immense host—‘three crores’ of Śailūṣa’s sons—using sharp arrows, underscoring decisive kṣatriya action in service of royal order."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbole: koṭitraya)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows (śara)
Concept: Kṣatriya duty executed under rightful command; protection of realm may require forceful suppression of hostile forces.
Application: In governance ethics: act proportionately and decisively against organized threats; maintain discipline and chain of command.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Samgraha (Narrative/Legendary History Section)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: City/Settlement
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield near an older settlement called Mathurā: Bharata as a central archer releases volleys of sharp arrows against an enormous host identified as Śailūṣa’s sons.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural panoramic battle: Bharata prominent with drawn bow; waves of enemy figures receding; stylized arrows as rhythmic diagonals; city silhouette labeled as old Mathurā; bold colors and layered registers.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore heroic panel: Bharata with gold halo and ornate attire, bow raised; simplified mass of foes; gold work on weapons and borders; devotional-heroic emphasis rather than gore.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clear instructional depiction of archery posture and volley; battlefield arranged for readability; minimal background with a small city marker for Mathurā; fine lines and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature wide battle scene: detailed ranks of soldiers, dust clouds, horses; Bharata as focal archer; distant city walls indicating Mathurā; meticulous rendering of arrows, armor, and landscape."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रामोक्तो = राम-उक्तः; भरतोऽवधीत् = भरतः + अवधीत्; कोटित्रयञ्च = कोटि-त्रयम् + च; शैलूष- पुत्राणाम् = शैलूषपुत्राणाम् (line-break/avagraha not shown).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-saṅkṣepa: Bharata’s role and allied campaigns
FAQs
It primarily reflects Dhanurveda in narrative form: victory and mass-slaughter are attributed to niśita-śara (keen, well-prepared arrows), implying emphasis on weapon preparation and effective archery execution rather than a ritual procedure.
The Agni Purana interweaves itihasa (Ramayana-derived history) with practical domains like warfare/archery vocabulary (śara, niśita), showing how the text functions both as a mytho-historical digest and a repository of technical cultural knowledge.
The verse foregrounds obedience to dharmic command (Rāma’s order) and the kingly duty of protection and suppression of hostile forces; karmically, it frames violent action as duty-bound when aligned with righteous authority in the epic-puranic worldview.