Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 4
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇana
Description of the Incarnation of Sri Rama
कुम्भकर्णः सनिद्रो ऽभूद् धर्मिष्ठो ऽभूद्विभीषणः स्वसा शूर्पणखा तेषां रावणान्मेघनादकः
kumbhakarṇaḥ sanidro 'bhūd dharmiṣṭho 'bhūdvibhīṣaṇaḥ svasā śūrpaṇakhā teṣāṃ rāvaṇānmeghanādakaḥ
Kumbhakarṇa was ever bound by drowsiness; Vibhīṣaṇa was righteous, devoted to dharma. Their sister was Śūrpaṇakhā; and from Rāvaṇa was born Meghanāda.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Quick-reference character map of key rākṣasa figures (traits and relations) for Ramayana narration and teaching.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rāvaṇa’s kin: Kumbhakarṇa, Vibhīṣaṇa, Śūrpaṇakhā, Meghanāda","lookup_keywords":["Kumbhakarṇa","Vibhīṣaṇa","Śūrpaṇakhā","Meghanāda","rākṣasa genealogy"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates principal members of Rāvaṇa’s family with defining traits: Kumbhakarṇa’s sleep, Vibhīṣaṇa’s righteousness, Śūrpaṇakhā as sister, and Meghanāda as Rāvaṇa’s son."}
Alamkara Type: Guṇa-nirdeśa (character trait epithet)
Concept: Dharma can manifest even within an adharmic lineage (Vibhīṣaṇa as dharmiṣṭha among rākṣasas).
Application: Encourages discernment: judge by conduct (dharma) rather than birth-group; uphold righteous counsel even in hostile environments.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Sankshepa (Genealogy and key figures in the Ramayana narrative)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Bībhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compact tableau of Rāvaṇa’s family: Kumbhakarṇa shown massive and drowsy; Vibhīṣaṇa standing composed and righteous; Śūrpaṇakhā fierce; Meghanāda as a young warrior prince.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural narrative panel with four figures: sleeping giant Kumbhakarṇa reclining; Vibhīṣaṇa upright with serene face and folded hands; Śūrpaṇakhā with sharp features and dynamic pose; Meghanāda armored with bow; saturated colors, bold outlines, ornamental detailing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore icon-like grouping with gold halos and heavy jewelry; Vibhīṣaṇa in devotional posture; Kumbhakarṇa seated heavy-lidded; Śūrpaṇakhā fierce; Meghanāda holding bow; rich gold work and embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting with fine linework; labeled-style clarity: each character distinct with minimal background; gentle shading; emphasis on facial expression (sleepy, righteous, fierce, heroic).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature courtly composition: four figures arranged in a palace courtyard; textiles and weapons finely rendered; Kumbhakarṇa’s scale exaggerated; Vibhīṣaṇa calm; Śūrpaṇakhā animated; Meghanāda poised as prince-warrior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सनिद्रोऽभूत् = स-निद्रः + अभूत्; धर्मिष्ठोऽभूत् = धर्मिष्ठः + अभूत्; अभूद्विभीषणः = अभूत् + विभीषणः; रावणान्मेघनादकः = रावणात् + मेघनादकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-saṅkṣepa passages on Indrajit/Meghanāda and the Laṅkā war
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as an itihāsa-style index, identifying key Rākṣasa figures and their defining traits.
It exemplifies the Purana’s compendium method: compressing major epics into searchable name-lists and attributes, enabling quick reference across dharma, genealogy, and narrative history.
By contrasting traits—sleep-bound Kumbhakarṇa versus dharma-aligned Vibhīṣaṇa—the verse underscores that moral orientation (dharma) determines spiritual worth, regardless of birth or clan.