Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 13
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
उवाच मां यथा रामो नयेच्छीघ्रं तथा कुरु रामश् च इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः त्वां मार्गयेत् प्रेषयेच्च मामिति घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः काकाक्षिपातनकथाम् प्रतियाहि हि शोकह
uvāca māṃ yathā rāmo nayecchīghraṃ tathā kuru rāmaś ca iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ tvāṃ mārgayet preṣayecca māmiti gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ kākākṣipātanakathām pratiyāhi hi śokaha
Ia berkata: “Bertindaklah sedemikian rupa agar Rāma segera menuntunku pergi.” (Beberapa naskah bertanda memuat bacaan “dan (katakan kepada) Rāma…”, bacaan lain: “semoga ia mencarimu dan mengutusku.”) “Pergilah dan ceritakan kisah gagak yang mematuk mata”—demikian ujar Śoka.
Narrative voice within the episode (a character giving instructions; manuscript variants noted). In the Agni Purana frame, the teaching is transmitted by Lord Agni to Vasiṣṭha.
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Narrative recall for dharma-oriented instruction: how messages are relayed, how urgency is communicated, and how prior incidents (kākākṣi-pātana) are cited as persuasive context.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śoka’s instruction to report the Kākākṣi-pātana episode to Rāma","lookup_keywords":["kakakshi-patana","Shoka message","Rama urgency","manuscript variants","Hanuman mission"],"quick_summary":"The speaker urges swift action so that Rāma may quickly respond, and specifically instructs recounting the ‘crow striking the eye’ episode as a compelling reminder of Rāma’s protective resolve."}
Alamkara Type: Anusmriti (smaraṇa) / Itihasa-udaharana (exemplum)
Concept: Smaraṇa as ethical persuasion: recalling a prior dharmic act to motivate timely protection and right action.
Application: In counsel or diplomacy, cite a relevant precedent to awaken resolve and accelerate decision-making.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Anukrama / Ramayana-Sambandha (Narrative Instruction)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A messenger receives urgent instructions: ‘Go quickly to Rāma; recount the crow-eye incident.’ The mood is tense and purposeful, with a remembered vignette of the crow episode suggested in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Sita’s envoy scene with expressive eyes and bold outlines, a small inset vignette of the crow-eye episode as a memory cloud, warm earthy palette, temple-mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure giving urgent instruction, ornate jewelry and gold leaf highlights, inset medallion showing the crow-eye episode, rich reds and greens, symmetrical framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, narrative panel with caption-like cartouches indicating ‘kākākṣi-pātana kathā’, soft shading, instructional storytelling emphasis","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly messenger briefing in a garden pavilion, fine textiles, marginalia-like inset of the crow incident, detailed flora, restrained palette with precise facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nayecchīghram = nayet + śīghram (t + ś → cch); preṣayecca = preṣayet + ca (t + c → cc). Text contains editorial notes (kha/gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ) not analyzed as padas.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9 (Ramayana-sambandha narrative sequence)
FAQs
This verse primarily conveys dūta-vākya (messenger-style instruction) and preserves manuscript variant readings; it is narrative and philological rather than a ritual or medical vidyā.
It illustrates the Purana’s encyclopedic character by embedding Itihasa-linked narration (Ramayana motifs) while also recording variant manuscript traditions (cihnita-pustaka-pāṭha), showing both storytelling and textual transmission.
By directing the recounting of the crow-eye episode (kākākṣi-pātana), the verse reinforces dharma-themed remembrance: recounting exemplary events associated with Rāma is treated in Purāṇic tradition as spiritually purifying and dharma-affirming.