Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 17
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
देवान्तको नरान्तश् च त्रिशिराश्चातिकायकः रामेण लक्ष्मणेनैते वानरैः सविभीषणैः
devāntako narāntaś ca triśirāścātikāyakaḥ rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇenaite vānaraiḥ savibhīṣaṇaiḥ
Devāntaka et Narāntaka, Triśiras et aussi Atikāya — ces puissants guerriers furent abattus par Rāma et Lakṣmaṇa, avec les armées des Vānara, accompagnés de Vibhīṣaṇa.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s discourse framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Remembering key Rakshasa commanders and their defeat as a strategic/narrative digest; useful for recitation, teaching Itihasa, and mapping battlefield roles.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rakshasa-yodha-nidhanam (Devantaka–Narantaka–Trishiras–Atikaya)","lookup_keywords":["Devantaka","Narantaka","Trishiras","Atikaya","Vibhishana"],"quick_summary":"A compact roster of major Rakshasa warriors and the coalition (Rama–Lakshmana–Vanaras with Vibhishana) responsible for their fall; serves as a mnemonic battlefield summary."}
Weapon Type: Bow (arrows)
Concept: Dharma’s victory through righteous alliance and disciplined force.
Application: Cultivate right alliances and act decisively against adharma’s key supports.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Sangraha (Ramayana Narrative Summary)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rama and Lakshmana, backed by vanara troops and Vibhishana, stand amid a chaotic battlefield as four named Rakshasa champions fall.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, Rama and Lakshmana with bows, vanara army behind, Vibhishana in royal Rakshasa attire showing devotion, four fallen Rakshasa champions labeled by gesture, battlefield in stylized Lanka setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf halos, Rama-Lakshmana frontal heroic stance holding bows, Vibhishana with folded hands, vanaras in rows, subdued fallen Rakshasas at the bottom, ornate borders and gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, refined linework, narrative panel showing coordinated attack, clear identification of four Rakshasa warriors, calm heroic expressions, muted battlefield background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed armor and textiles, dynamic melee with archers at center, vanara ranks, Vibhishana as allied noble, four Rakshasa commanders collapsing, architectural hints of Lanka in distance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवान्तको=देव+अन्तकः; नरान्तश्=नर+अन्तः (श् before च); त्रिशिराश्च=त्रिशिराः+च; लक्ष्मणेनैते=लक्ष्मणेन+एते; सविभीषणैः=स+विभीषणैः (सह-अर्थे).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 10.18-10.21 (Indrajit episode; Lanka-yuddha sequence)
FAQs
This verse is primarily Itihāsa-narrative (Ramayana battle cataloging) rather than a ritual/technical vidyā; it records key rākṣasa champions defeated in the war under Rama’s leadership with allied forces.
It illustrates the Agni Purana’s compendium style by incorporating an abridged Ramayana war chronicle—preserving names, alliances, and outcomes as part of its wide-ranging coverage beyond rituals and doctrine.
By highlighting the defeat of destructive rākṣasa forces through dharmic leadership and righteous alliance, the verse reinforces the karmic theme that adharma is overcome when virtuous power acts with disciplined support and right counsel.