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
তেতিয়া সাগৰ প্ৰকট হৈ ৰামক ক’লে— “হে গম্ভীৰ বীৰ! নলৰ দ্বাৰা সাগৰত সেতু বান্ধি লংকালৈ যোৱা।”
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.