Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 9
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
इन्द्रजिच्च्छरबन्धाच्च विमुक्तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ तार्क्षसन्दर्शनाद्वाणैर् जघ्नतू राक्षसं बलम्
indrajicccharabandhācca vimuktau rāmalakṣmaṇau tārkṣasandarśanādvāṇair jaghnatū rākṣasaṃ balam
इन्द्रजित् के शर-बन्धन से मुक्त होकर राम और लक्ष्मण ने तार्क्ष्य (गरुड़) के दर्शन-प्रभाव से समर्थित बाणों द्वारा राक्षस-सेना का संहार किया।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Shows mantra-empowered archery and the protective/relieving countermeasure to binding weapons (śarabandha) through divine aid (Tārkṣya/Garuḍa).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Release from Śarabandha and Tārkṣya-Darśana Empowered Arrows","lookup_keywords":["indrajiṭ","śarabandha","tārkṣya","garuḍa-darśana","mantra-bala"],"quick_summary":"Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are freed from Indrajit’s binding arrows and then destroy the Rākṣasa army using arrows empowered by Tārkṣya (Garuḍa) manifestation. The passage frames victory as a fusion of martial skill and divine/mantric empowerment."}
Alamkara Type: Daivī-sambandha (divine intervention motif)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows
Concept: When bound by hostile forces, refuge in higher power (darśana/anugraha) restores agency; then act decisively in dharma.
Application: In crisis management: seek the right ‘counter-force’ (expert help/strategic ally), then execute a clear plan swiftly.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Ramayana Narratives (Rama-katha within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic compendium)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, previously bound by a net of arrows, are released as Garuḍa appears; they then unleash radiant arrows that cut down the Rākṣasa ranks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Garuḍa descending with wide wings, arrow-net snapping, Rāma-Lakṣmaṇa poised with bows, glowing arrows streaking into rākṣasa army, strong reds/ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Garuḍa with gold-highlighted wings and ornaments, Rāma-Lakṣmaṇa haloed, arrow-net rendered with decorative pattern, luminous arrows with gilded accents, symmetrical devotional framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear sequential depiction: (1) bound heroes, (2) Garuḍa darśana, (3) empowered archery volley; fine linework, calm clarity despite battle","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic sky with Garuḍa swooping, detailed arrow-net, archers releasing volleys, dense army formations, meticulous armor and banners"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: indrajicccharabandhācca → indrajit + śarabandhāt + ca (final -t + ś → cch); tārkṣasandarśanādvāṇaiḥ → tārkṣa-sandarśanāt + vāṇaiḥ (t + v → dv); jaghnatū → jaghnatuḥ (dual perfect form).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rāmāyaṇa-saṅgraha: Indrajit’s śarabandha episode; Agni Purana Mantra/Tantra sections on protective rites (general parallel)
FAQs
The verse highlights Dhanurvedic application: release from a missile-based restraint (śara-bandha) and the use of divinely empowered arrows (vāṇa) associated with Tārkṣya (Garuda) to neutralize enemy forces.
It shows how the Agni Purana compiles Itihasa material (Ramayana war episodes) alongside technical themes like warfare/archery (Dhanurveda), presenting narrative exemplars of strategy, weapon-use, and divine auxiliaries within a broader knowledge compendium.
Spiritually, it conveys the restoration of dharmic order: divine assistance aids righteous warriors when obstructed by adharma, and the overcoming of binding forces symbolizes liberation from hostile restraints through righteous resolve and higher protection.