Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 23
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
रामरावणयोर्युद्धं रामरावणयोरिव रावणो वानरान् हन्ति मारुत्याद्याश् च रावणम्
rāmarāvaṇayoryuddhaṃ rāmarāvaṇayoriva rāvaṇo vānarān hanti mārutyādyāś ca rāvaṇam
Le combat entre Rāma et Rāvaṇa fut tel le duel fameux de Rāma et Rāvaṇa, d’une intensité redoutable. Rāvaṇa abattait les vānara, et Maruti (Hanumān) ainsi que les autres frappaient Rāvaṇa en retour.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vashistha, as per the Agni Purana’s principal dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Conveys the intensity of dharma-yuddha and the reciprocal blows of opposing forces; useful for teaching narrative framing of battle and morale psychology.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāma–Rāvaṇa battle and vanara–rākṣasa clash","lookup_keywords":["Rāma-Rāvaṇa yuddha","vānaras","Maruti Hanumān","battle intensity","reciprocal strikes"],"quick_summary":"The verse highlights the famed ferocity of the duel while situating it within the broader melee: rākṣasas strike vanaras, and Hanumān and allies counterattack Rāvaṇa."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka/anuvṛtti-like repetition (रामरावणयोर्युद्धं ... रामरावणयोरिव)
Weapon Type: Implied mixed weapons; Hanumān’s gada/strength implied; general melee
Concept: Collective effort supports righteous leadership; even a central duel depends on allied valor.
Application: In high-stakes conflict, coordinate team action around a clear objective while sustaining morale.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Itihasa-Katha (Ramayana narrative episodes)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A panoramic battlefield: Rāma and Rāvaṇa locked in famed combat while rākṣasas strike vanaras and Hanumān leads the counterblow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, crowded battle tableau, central Rāma vs Rāvaṇa, Hanumān mid-leap, rhythmic arrangement of vanaras and rākṣasas, bold reds/greens, stylized weapons, dramatic yet devotional.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central duel with gold highlights on crowns and weapons, Hanumān prominent with ornate jewelry, layered figures, decorative borders, emphasis on divine heroism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear separation of duel and melee zones, fine lines for expressions, readable troop formations, subdued elegance with detailed costumes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intricate battle choreography, individualized faces, detailed armor and textiles, perspective showing depth, Hanumān dynamic in foreground, Laṅkā landscape elements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रामरावणयोर्युद्धं = राम-रावणयोः युद्धम्; रामरावणयोरिव = राम-रावणयोः इव; मारुत्याद्याः = मारुति-आद्याः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-katha: vanara-sainya descriptions; Rāma–Rāvaṇa duel sequence
FAQs
This verse is primarily Itihasa-katha (narrative instruction) rather than a technical vidya; it conveys the dynamics of battle and heroic opposition—Ravana’s assault and the Vanara champions’ counteraction.
By incorporating Ramayana battle episodes alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and aesthetics, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium—preserving dharmic exemplars and epic history as one domain of knowledge.
It reinforces the puranic ethic that adharma-driven power (Ravana’s violence) is ultimately opposed and overcome by dharma-aligned forces (Rama’s side), encouraging faith in righteous action and its karmic fruition.