Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 1
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
ः बभञ्ज तद्दृढं धनुरिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः तदा इति ख, घ, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः भरतोथागात् इति ख, ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः अथ षष्ठो ऽध्यायः श्रीरामावतारवर्णनं नारद उवाच भरते ऽथ गते रामः पित्रादीनभ्यपूजयत् राजा दशरथो रामम् उवाच शृणु राघव
ḥ babhañja taddṛḍhaṃ dhanuriti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ tadā iti kha, gha, ṅa, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ bharatothāgāt iti kha, ga, gha, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ atha ṣaṣṭho 'dhyāyaḥ śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanaṃ nārada uvāca bharate 'tha gate rāmaḥ pitrādīnabhyapūjayat rājā daśaratho rāmam uvāca śṛṇu rāghava
“Ia mematahkan busur yang kokoh itu”—demikian bacaan sebuah naskah bertanda; naskah lain berbunyi “kemudian,” dan sebagian berbunyi “lalu Bharata datang.” Kini dimulai bab keenam, ‘Uraian tentang Penjelmaan Śrī Rāma.’ Nārada berkata: Setelah Bharata pergi, Rāma menghormati ayahnya dan para sesepuh lainnya menurut tata cara. Raja Daśaratha berkata kepada Rāma: “Dengarkanlah, wahai Rāghava.”
Nārada (narrator within the chapter heading); Daśaratha (direct speech begins: “śṛṇu rāghava”)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Text-critical awareness for accurate recitation/teaching; then transition into Rama-avatara narration framework.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Pathabheda (Manuscript Variants) and Adhyaya-Arambha","lookup_keywords":["pathabheda","pustaka-patha","dhanus-bhanjana","adhyaya-arambha","Narada-uvaca"],"quick_summary":"Notes variant readings across manuscripts (pathabheda) and marks the formal start of the chapter where Narada narrates Rama’s avatara and Dasharatha’s address."}
Alamkara Type: Kathamukha (opening formula); Itivritta-sanketa (narrative signposting)
Weapon Type: Bow (dhanus) referenced via bow-breaking reading
Concept: Pramana-suddhi (reliability of transmission): acknowledging variants while preserving narrative intent.
Application: When teaching or translating, record significant variants, choose readings by context, and keep chapter boundaries explicit.
Khanda Section: Avataras (Rama-avatara narrative / Itihasa-style Purana narration)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-scholar setting showing palm-leaf manuscripts with marked variant readings; then Narada narrating as Dasharatha addresses Rama in court.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Narada with veena seated, palm-leaf manuscripts on a low stand with red/black markings, behind him Ayodhya court with Dasharatha and Rama, stylized arches and floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Narada with halo and gold work, manuscript bundle (grantha) highlighted, inset scene of Dasharatha speaking to Rama, ornate throne and gold embellishments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional tableau—scribe comparing manuscripts, marginal marks visible; second panel: Narada narrating; third: Dasharatha addressing Rama; fine shading and calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: library scene with scholars collating manuscripts, then a court scene with Dasharatha and Rama; detailed textiles, calligraphic labels for variant readings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षष्ठो ऽध्यायः = षष्ठः + अध्यायः; भरते ऽथ = भरते + अथ; पित्रादीनभ्यपूजयत् = पितृ-आदीन् + अभ्यपूजयत्. (Verse contains critical apparatus fragments at beginning; analyzed main continuous śloka portion from ‘अथ षष्ठो…’ onward.)
Related Themes: Agni Purana editorial-style colophons and chapter openings elsewhere; Rama-avatara narrative continuation in following verses
FAQs
The practical instruction is dharmic conduct: Rāma performs respectful honoring (abhyapūjā) of his father and elders, modeling proper royal and familial etiquette rather than a specialized ritual manual.
It shows the Agni Purana’s scope extending beyond rites and sciences into Itihāsa-style avatāra narration, and it even preserves manuscript-variant notes—reflecting both narrative tradition and textual transmission.
Honoring parents and elders is presented as a core dharma that generates merit (puṇya) and social-spiritual order, especially for a kingly figure whose conduct becomes exemplary.