Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 4
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
दशग्रीवस्य कुम्भस्य कुम्भकर्णस्य रक्षसः विभीषणस्येन्द्रजितो गृहे ऽन्येषां च रक्षसो
daśagrīvasya kumbhasya kumbhakarṇasya rakṣasaḥ vibhīṣaṇasyendrajito gṛhe 'nyeṣāṃ ca rakṣaso
দশগ্ৰীৱ (ৰাৱণ), কুম্ভ, ৰাক্ষস কুম্ভকৰ্ণ, বিভীষণ আৰু ইন্দ্ৰজিতৰ গৃহত, আৰু আন ৰাক্ষসসকলৰ গৃহতো (সি অনুসন্ধান কৰিলে)।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Cataloging enemy leadership residences: a narrative device for mapping power-centers and prioritizing surveillance targets.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Principal Rākṣasa Palaces in Laṅkā (Rāvaṇa to Indrajit)","lookup_keywords":["Dashagriva","Kumbhakarna","Vibhishana","Indrajit","rakshasa-griha"],"quick_summary":"A compact list of key Laṅkā figures and their residences, indicating the breadth of Hanumat’s search across major and minor rākṣasa households."}
Alamkara Type: Nama-sankirtana / enumeration (list-style naming)
Concept: Knowledge by classification—naming and ordering entities to make a complex domain searchable.
Application: When investigating a system, list principal actors and their ‘domains’ (homes/offices) before deeper inquiry.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-anuvamsa (Ravana-vadha / Lanka-kanda synopsis)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sweeping view of Laṅkā’s palace quarter with distinct mansions labeled by their lords—Rāvaṇa, Kumbhakarṇa, Vibhīṣaṇa, Indrajit—while Hanumat moves unseen across rooftops.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, panoramic Laṅkā with tiered palaces and gateways, each palace differentiated by color motifs, Hanumat small but central moving along parapets, ornamental borders and stylized architecture","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf palatial skyline, four prominent mansions with emblematic insignia (ten-headed banner for Rāvaṇa, etc.), Hanumat in miniature scale, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, diagrammatic yet elegant cityscape, palaces arranged in readable compartments, fine lines and soft colors, suited to ‘list’ visualization","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed architectural facades and courtyards, labeled figures implied within, Hanumat as a stealthy observer on terraces, intricate patterns and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विभीषणस्येन्द्रजितः = विभीषणस्य + इन्द्रजितः; गृहेऽन्येषाम् = गृहे + अन्येषाम् (ऽ = अवग्रह).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9 (Laṅkā reconnaissance and Sītā-anveṣaṇa sequence)
FAQs
No ritual/technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as a catalog-style identification of key rākṣasa figures and their households within the Laṅkā narrative context.
By compressing Itihāsa material into concise lists and narrative markers, the Agni Purāṇa preserves a broad reference-map of epic characters alongside its many other disciplines, making it usable as a compendium.
The verse primarily sets narrative context rather than prescribing a practice; its spiritual value lies in supporting smṛti (recollection) of dharma-centered epic history and the moral contrast between rākṣasa power and righteous conduct.