Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 37
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
रामे वनं गते राजा षष्ठे ऽह्नि निशि चाब्रवीत् कौशल्यां स कथां पौर्वां यदज्ञानद्धतः पुरा
rāme vanaṃ gate rājā ṣaṣṭhe 'hni niśi cābravīt kauśalyāṃ sa kathāṃ paurvāṃ yadajñānaddhataḥ purā
Cuando Rāma hubo partido al bosque, en la noche del sexto día el rey habló a Kauśalyā de aquel relato antiguo: lo que en otro tiempo había hecho, impulsado por la ignorancia.
Primary narrator (Agni Purana narrative voice, traditionally Agni speaking to Vasiṣṭha) reporting King Daśaratha’s speech
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Frames rājadharma through confession, accountability, and the moral consequences of ignorance-driven action within a royal household context.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Rājā’s nocturnal confession to Kauśalyā after Rāma’s exile","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","ajñāna","confession","Kauśalyā","Rāma vana-gamana"],"quick_summary":"The king recounts an old deed done in ignorance, highlighting how past karma and moral error surface in times of crisis; rulers must face consequences and speak truth within dharmic bonds."}
Concept: Ajñāna (ignorance) leads to adharma and later suffering; truthful acknowledgment is a step toward moral clarity.
Application: Cultivate discernment before acting; when wrong is done, admit it to those affected and accept responsibility rather than concealment.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-anuvada (Ramayana Narrative) / Rajadharma Context
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In the palace at night, the aged king speaks privately to Kauśalyā, recounting an old deed with visible remorse; lamps cast soft light and long shadows.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, interior palace scene with oil lamps, Daśaratha seated with bowed head, Kauśalyā attentive, deep indigo night tones, expressive eyes conveying sorrow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, royal chamber with ornate pillars and gold accents, king and queen with halos subdued, lamp flames highlighted with gold, mood of solemn confession.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined facial expressions, clear narrative staging (king speaking, queen listening), delicate ornamentation, soft background wash indicating night.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate court interior, patterned textiles, a single lamp, king gesturing as he narrates, queen composed yet concerned, meticulous architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षष्ठे 'ह्नि = षष्ठे + अह्नि; चाब्रवीत् = च + अब्रवीत्; यदज्ञानद्धतः = यत् + अज्ञानात् + हतः (पाठभेदे 'यदज्ञानाद्धतः').
Related Themes: Agni Purana: rājadharma/daṇḍanīti style chapters (where present); Agni Purana: karma-phala and dharma narratives used as exempla
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys ethical insight—how ajñāna (ignorance) can drive actions that later demand confession and moral reckoning.
It shows the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope by embedding Itihāsa (Ramayana narrative) alongside other disciplines, using story to transmit dharmic and karmic principles.
It highlights that actions performed under ignorance still bear karmic weight, and that acknowledging wrongdoing (confession to Kauśalyā) is a step toward purification and ethical clarity.