Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 20
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
रावणो हन्तुमुद्युक्तो विभीषणनिवारितः दीपयामास लाङ्गलं दीप्तपुच्छः स मारुतिः
rāvaṇo hantumudyukto vibhīṣaṇanivāritaḥ dīpayāmāsa lāṅgalaṃ dīptapucchaḥ sa mārutiḥ
Rāvaṇa, entschlossen ihn zu töten, wurde von Vibhīṣaṇa zurückgehalten. Da ließ Māruti, der Sohn des Windgottes—mit loderndem Schweif—seinen Schwanz in Flammen aufgehen.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Shows escalation control (Vibhīṣaṇa restrains execution) and tactical use of fire as psychological and material warfare (tail ignition leading to arson).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vibhīṣaṇa’s restraint and Hanumān’s burning tail","lookup_keywords":["vibhīṣaṇa","nigraha","hanumān","dīpta-puccha","lāṅgūla-dīpana"],"quick_summary":"Rāvaṇa is checked from killing the envoy; Hanumān’s tail is set ablaze, becoming the instrument for the coming conflagration. The episode highlights counsel, envoy-immunity themes, and fire as a weapon."}
Alamkara Type: Dīpaka/utprekṣā-like vividness through ‘dīpta’ imagery (visual intensification)
Weapon Type: Agni (fire) as improvised weapon; arson tactic
Concept: Counsel (mantra) restrains rash kings; adharma rebounds—harm intended for the righteous becomes self-destructive
Application: Value wise advisors; avoid impulsive punitive actions that create strategic blowback
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Narrative Section: Rama–Ravana episode)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vibhīṣaṇa restrains an enraged Rāvaṇa from killing Hanumān; attendants ignite Hanumān’s tail, which flares brightly as he stands fearless.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic flame motifs around Hanumān’s tail, Rāvaṇa restrained by Vibhīṣaṇa’s grasp, stylized fire curls, intense reds/oranges with traditional outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold highlights on flames and ornaments, Rāvaṇa’s throne and weapons gleaming, Hanumān’s tail rendered with embossed flame patterns, devotional aura despite danger","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, controlled composition showing the act of ignition, detailed textiles and court props, emphasis on narrative clarity and facial expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic flame and smoke, palace courtyard/court interior, attendants with torches, Vibhīṣaṇa’s restraining gesture captured mid-motion"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हन्तुमुद्युक्तः = हन्तुम् + उद्युक्तः (संधि: म् + उ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9.21 (burning Laṅkā)
FAQs
No direct ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as Itihāsa-narrative, highlighting the strategic and dramatic setup for Laṅkā-dahana (the burning of Laṅkā) through Hanumān’s ignited tail.
By incorporating Rama-kathā material, the Agni Purana preserves ethical history (Itihāsa) alongside its ritual, polity, medicine, and arts sections—showing how narrative exempla are used to teach dharma, character, and consequences within a multi-topic Purāṇic compendium.
The verse underscores dharma-aligned restraint (Vibhīṣaṇa preventing rash killing) and the inevitability of karmic repercussion for adharma (Rāvaṇa’s hostility), while presenting Hanumān as an instrument of righteous divine purpose.