Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 16
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
सीतया प्रेरितो रामः शरेणाथावधीच्च तं म्रियमाणो मृगः प्राह हा सीते लक्ष्मणेति च
sītayā prerito rāmaḥ śareṇāthāvadhīcca taṃ mriyamāṇo mṛgaḥ prāha hā sīte lakṣmaṇeti ca
सीता के उकसाने पर राम ने बाण से उस मृग को मार गिराया; मरते हुए मृग ने पुकारा—“हाय सीते! हाय लक्ष्मण!”
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic Itihāsa to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Narrative instruction on discernment and the consequences of being driven by desire/impulse; also illustrates archery as decisive action with moral stakes.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Māyāmṛga-vadha and the deceptive cry","lookup_keywords":["Mārīca","māyāmṛga","Rāma-śara","Sītā","Lakṣmaṇa-śabda"],"quick_summary":"The illusory deer episode shows how deception manipulates attention and duty; the dying cry becomes the trigger that separates protectors from the protected."}
Alamkara Type: Karuna (ākranda) with Nāṭyadharmī voice-impersonation; also Dhvani (suggestion) of impending calamity
Weapon Type: Bow and arrow (śara)
Concept: Viveka (discernment) against māyā; guarding duty over impulse
Application: In decision-making, verify signals and sources; do not let desire override protective responsibilities
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Narrative episode within the Purana)
Primary Rasa: Karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Type: Forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma in forest posture releases an arrow at the golden deer; the deer collapses while crying out in a human voice invoking Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa; Sītā watches from a hut-edge, startled.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, dense forest greens, Rāma with blue complexion and bow drawn, golden deer falling, expressive wide eyes, stylized foliage, traditional ornamentation, dramatic karuṇa mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Rāma with ornate crown and bow, gold-leaf highlights on ornaments and the deer’s golden body, Sītā near the cottage, rich reds and greens, embossed detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, soft shading, instructional clarity: arrow trajectory, Rāma’s stance, deer mid-fall, minimal background but clear forest cues, subdued palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic forest, detailed textiles, Rāma aiming, deer struck and crying, attendants absent, emphasis on narrative moment, fine brushwork and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शरेणाथ = शरेण + अथ; अवधीत् + च = अवधीत् च; लक्ष्मणेति = लक्ष्मण + इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 7.17-7.20 (abduction sequence and inference of māyā)
FAQs
The verse primarily conveys narrative knowledge (Itihāsa) and implicitly highlights archery practice (śara—use of the arrow) as a practical martial skill rather than a ritual instruction.
By embedding the Ramayana’s key plot mechanism (the deceptive dying cry) within the Purana, it preserves Itihāsa alongside other disciplines—showing how Agni Purana functions as a compendium that includes moral narrative, statecraft, ritual, and martial themes.
It underscores how māyā (deception) can trigger consequential choices; the karmic takeaway is vigilance and discernment (viveka), since actions taken under misperception can lead to major dharmic trials.