Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 18
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
नागपाशेन पिङ्गाक्षं दर्शयामास रावणम् उवाच रावणः कस्त्वं मारुतिः प्राह रावणम्
nāgapāśena piṅgākṣaṃ darśayāmāsa rāvaṇam uvāca rāvaṇaḥ kastvaṃ mārutiḥ prāha rāvaṇam
नागपाश से पिङ्गल-नेत्र वाले को बाँधकर रावण के सामने प्रस्तुत किया गया। रावण बोला—“तू कौन है?” तब मारुति ने रावण से कहा।
Rāvaṇa (questioning), followed by Māruti/Hanumān (reply begins in the next utterance)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Epic narrative used to teach diplomacy (questioning an envoy), rules of engagement with messengers, and the tactical use of binding weapons (pāśa).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nāgapāśa-bandhana and Rāvaṇa’s interrogation of the envoy","lookup_keywords":["nāgapāśa","bandhana","rāvaṇa","māruti","dūta-praśna"],"quick_summary":"Hanumān is bound with a serpent-noose and brought before Rāvaṇa, who begins formal interrogation. The scene frames envoy-protocol and the use of restraint rather than immediate execution."}
Alamkara Type: Praśna (rhetorical/explicit questioning) with direct speech (vākyopanyāsa)
Weapon Type: Pāśa (nāga-pāśa / binding noose)
Concept: Dūta-vyavahāra: an envoy is questioned; restraint precedes judgment; power is tempered by counsel and protocol
Application: In governance/conflict, prioritize information and procedure over impulsive violence; treat emissaries as carriers of message
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Prasanga (Narrative Episode: Ravana–Hanuman encounter)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hanumān, bound by a coiling serpent-noose, is led into Rāvaṇa’s jeweled court; Rāvaṇa on a throne questions him while rākṣasas stand guard.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, ornate Laṅkā sabhā with lotus motifs, Rāvaṇa enthroned with multiple crowns, Hanumān bound by green serpentine nāga-pāśa, expressive eyes, traditional temple-mural linework","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf throne and arch, Rāvaṇa richly ornamented, Hanumān with restrained posture and halo-like aura, heavy jewelry, embossed gold detailing on court pillars","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate shading, clear narrative court composition, focus on the nāga-pāśa coils and gesture of questioning, refined textiles and subdued palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed palace interior, attendants and guards, precise facial expressions, serpentine rope rendered naturalistically, architectural perspective with patterned carpets"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कस्त्वम् = कः + त्वम् (विसर्ग-लोप/संधि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9.19-9.22 (continuation of Hanumān episode)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as narrative, describing restraint by nāgapāśa (a binding noose) and the opening of a formal interrogation between Rāvaṇa and Hanumān.
It shows the Agni Purana’s compendious style: alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and aesthetics, it also preserves Itihāsa material (Ramayana episodes) as moral and devotional exempla within a single encyclopedic Purana.
The passage highlights dharma-tested speech and courage under constraint: Hanumān’s impending reply models steadfastness and devotion, while Rāvaṇa’s questioning frames the karmic contrast between arrogance and service to righteousness.