Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 26
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
गृहीत्वा तं मणिं रामो रुरोद विरहातुरः मणिं दृष्ट्वा जानकी मे दृष्टा सीता नयस्व माम्
gṛhītvā taṃ maṇiṃ rāmo ruroda virahāturaḥ maṇiṃ dṛṣṭvā jānakī me dṛṣṭā sītā nayasva mām
Menerima permata itu, Rāma yang tersiksa oleh perpisahan pun menangis. “Dengan melihat permata ini, seakan aku telah melihat Jānakī; aku telah melihat Sītā. Bawalah aku kepadanya.”
Lord Agni (narrating) to Sage Vasiṣṭha (frame narration typical of Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Illustrates how a token (abhijñāna) functions psychologically: it intensifies longing yet confirms hope, motivating decisive action.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sita’s jewel as abhijñāna: Rama’s grief and resolve","lookup_keywords":["Sita mani","abhijnana token","Rama weeps","viraha","lead me to her"],"quick_summary":"Receiving Sita’s jewel triggers Rama’s tears of separation while simultaneously serving as proof of contact, converting despair into urgency to reach her."}
Dosha: Vata
Alamkara Type: Arthantaranyasa (reasoning: seeing the jewel equals seeing Sita)
Concept: Saṃskāra and smṛti: an object can awaken deep memory and intensify bhāva, revealing mind’s dependence on signs (nimitta).
Application: Use symbols intentionally—either to strengthen commitment and purpose, or avoid triggers when stabilization is needed.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Prasanga (Narrative Episode: Ramayana allusion within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rama holds Sita’s jewel, weeping in separation, declaring that seeing the jewel is like seeing Sita and asking to be led to her.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up emotive Rama with jewel in hand, tearful eyes, Lakshmana and Hanuman nearby, stylized lotus border, deep earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Rama with gold halo, jewel highlighted with bright reflective paint and gold emboss, expressive sorrow, ornate throne-like seat, rich textiles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, refined facial expression and delicate shading, Rama examining jewel, caption-like space for dialogue, calm background to emphasize emotion","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior tent scene, Rama seated with jewel, attendants respectfully distant, fine detailing of jewelry and fabric patterns"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विरहातुरः = विरह + आतुरः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9.25 (receipt of the jewel implied); Agni Purana 9.27 (movement toward action)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse conveys narrative-emotional knowledge (viraha) through an Itihāsa allusion, using the jewel as a recognized token (chihna) to establish identity and presence.
By incorporating a Ramayana episode, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium that preserves and recontextualizes Itihāsa material alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and poetics—showing that narrative dharma and exemplars of conduct are part of its encyclopedic scope.
Rama’s grief and insistence on being led to Sita highlights steadfast marital fidelity and dharmic resolve; spiritually, it models single-pointed commitment (niṣṭhā) and the purifying power of sincere longing directed toward righteous duty.