Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 6
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
रक्षसां वानराणाञ्च युद्धं सङ्कुलमाबभौ राक्षसा वानरान् जघ्नुः शरशक्तिगदादिभिः
rakṣasāṃ vānarāṇāñca yuddhaṃ saṅkulamābabhau rākṣasā vānarān jaghnuḥ śaraśaktigadādibhiḥ
રાક્ષસો અને વાનરોનું યુદ્ધ અત્યંત સંકુલ અને ગૂંચવણભર્યું બન્યું. રાક્ષસોએ બાણ, શક્તિ, ગદા વગેરે શસ્ત્રોથી વાનરોને ધરાશાયી કર્યા।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana frame-dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Warfare narration illustrating weapon-classes and the reality of chaotic melee; useful for understanding battlefield dynamics and weapon taxonomy (śara, śakti, gadā).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Saṅkula-yuddha: Chaotic Battle and Weapon Use (Śara–Śakti–Gadā)","lookup_keywords":["saṅkula-yuddha","rākṣasa","vānara","śara","śakti","gadā"],"quick_summary":"The verse depicts a confused, densely packed battle where rākṣasas fell vānara fighters using arrows, spears, maces, and other weapons. It highlights close-quarters chaos and multi-weapon lethality."}
Alamkara Type: Yuddha-varṇana with vivid enumeration
Weapon Type: Arrows (śara), Spear/śakti, Mace (gadā), others
Concept: War’s chaos underscores the need for disciplined conduct and righteous restraint; uncontrolled fury leads to indiscriminate destruction.
Application: As reflection for leaders: prioritize discipline, rules of engagement, and protection of the vulnerable even amid confusion.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Yuddha-varnana (Dhanurveda / Warfare Narration)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A chaotic battlefield where rākṣasas and vānara warriors collide; arrows fly, spears thrust, maces swing; dust and confusion dominate the scene.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dense battle composition with rhythmic repetition of figures; rākṣasas in fierce reds, vānara warriors in earthy tones; stylized arrows and weapons, swirling dust motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dramatic battle tableau with gold accents on weapons and armor; layered figures, strong diagonals of arrows; ornate borders framing the chaos.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clearer instructional depiction of weapon types—archers, spearmen, mace-bearers—within a battle scene; fine linework and readable action poses.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, highly detailed melee: individual duels, arrows mid-flight, spears and maces rendered precisely; smoky battlefield atmosphere with landscape depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वानराणाञ्च = वानराणाम् + च; सङ्कुलमाबभौ = सङ्कुलम् + आबभौ; शरशक्तिगदादिभिः = शर + शक्ति + गदा + आदिभिः (समास/समाहार-द्वन्द्व).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda-related passages on weapons and battle conduct (general Dhanurveda sections elsewhere in the text); Agni Purana Rāmāyaṇa yuddha narrative continuation after 10.6
FAQs
This verse conveys Dhanurveda-oriented battlefield terminology, naming common weapon-classes—śara (arrows), śakti (javelin/spear), and gadā (mace)—and characterizing the tactical reality of a saṅkula (confused, congested) melee.
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana preserves Itihasa-style war narrative and technical weapon vocabulary, reflecting its broad coverage that includes governance and military knowledge (Dhanurveda) as part of practical statecraft and epic tradition.
The verse underscores the grave karmic weight of violent conflict and the chaos of war; in Purāṇic framing, such depictions function as ethical reminders of dharma in warfare and the consequences of adharma-driven hostility.