Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 13
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
इत्युक्त्वा वानरान् सर्वान् कुम्भकर्णो ममर्द ह गृहीतस्तेन सुग्रीवः कर्णनासं चकर्त सः
ityuktvā vānarān sarvān kumbhakarṇo mamarda ha gṛhītastena sugrīvaḥ karṇanāsaṃ cakarta saḥ
Setelah berkata demikian, Kumbhakarṇa menghancurkan semua wanara. Ketika tertangkap olehnya, Sugrīva memotong telinga dan hidungnya.
Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Illustrates close-quarters combat outcomes and survival tactics against a stronger grappling opponent; emphasizes targeting vulnerable points to break an enemy’s advantage.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kumbhakarṇa’s Onslaught and Sugrīva’s Mutilation Counterstrike","lookup_keywords":["Kumbhakarṇa","vānaras","mardana","Sugrīva","karṇa-nāsa-ccheda"],"quick_summary":"Depicts Kumbhakarṇa crushing the vānaras and seizing Sugrīva; Sugrīva counters by cutting off the attacker’s ears and nose—an incapacitating strike to escape and reduce threat."}
Alamkara Type: Anukaraṇa (vivid action narration)
Weapon Type: Sword
Concept: Even overwhelming force can be checked by presence of mind and timely, targeted action; courage under constraint.
Application: In crises, choose the most effective disabling action rather than panicking; protect the collective by neutralizing key threats.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Rama-Ravana-Yuddha narrative)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Vīra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kumbhakarṇa rampages, crushing vānaras; he grabs Sugrīva, who slashes off Kumbhakarṇa’s ears and nose in a desperate close-range counter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, massive rākṣasa dominating frame, vānaras scattered, Sugrīva in dynamic twist cutting the face, strong red-black palette, stylized blood minimal, bold contours and rhythmic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central colossal Kumbhakarṇa with ornate jewelry, Sugrīva at chest level with sword, gold work on crowns and armlets, narrative border with fleeing vānaras, dramatic but iconic poses","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional combat tableau: grappling hold shown, Sugrīva’s blade angle emphasized, fine lines and soft colors, minimal background, focus on anatomy and action sequence","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, crowded battle scene with detailed armor and expressions, Kumbhakarṇa holding Sugrīva, precise depiction of the cut to ear and nose, layered troops and banners, delicate shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्युक्त्वा → इति + उक्त्वा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihāsa-khaṇḍa: Kumbhakarṇa-vadha narrative (10.12–10.15)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as an itihāsa-style battlefield narration highlighting tactics of close-quarters combat and counter-attack.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana also preserves itihāsa narratives; this verse exemplifies its compendium character by embedding a Ramayana war episode within the broader puranic encyclopedia.
The passage underscores the karmic gravity of violence in war and the dharmic theme of resisting adharma; it presents valor and protection of one’s allies as a righteous response within a sanctioned conflict.