Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 5
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
नापश्यत् पानभूम्यादौ सीतां चिन्तापरायणः अशोकवनिकां गत्वा दृष्टवाञ्छिंशपातले
nāpaśyat pānabhūmyādau sītāṃ cintāparāyaṇaḥ aśokavanikāṃ gatvā dṛṣṭavāñchiṃśapātale
ដោយចិត្តព្រួយបារម្ភជាប់គំនិត គាត់មិនបានឃើញសីតា នៅដំបូងទេ នៅទីកន្លែងផឹកស្រា និងកន្លែងផ្សេងៗ; បន្ទាប់មក គាត់ទៅកាន់ព្រៃអសោក ហើយបានឃើញនាងនៅក្រោមដើមសിംશបា។
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Model of systematic search: eliminate likely locations first, then proceed to the decisive locus (Aśoka grove); also illustrates anxiety management through purposeful action.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sītā’s Discovery: From False Leads to Aśoka Grove (Śiṃśapā Tree)","lookup_keywords":["Ashoka-vatika","Shimshapa","Sita discovery","Hanuman search","chinta"],"quick_summary":"Hanumat searches common pleasure-grounds first and fails; then, driven by concern, he reaches Aśoka-vāṭikā and finds Sītā under the śiṃśapā—showing both method and narrative turning-point."}
Alamkara Type: Vyatireka (contrast: not found here, found there)
Concept: Ekāgratā through karma—channeling worry into disciplined action.
Application: In crisis, define search-space, test hypotheses, then move to higher-probability locations; keep mind tethered to task.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Itihasa-narrative within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred grove
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hanumat searching Laṅkā’s pleasure-grounds and halls, then entering the Aśoka grove; Sītā sits sorrowful beneath a śiṃśapā tree.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, lush Aśoka grove with stylized foliage, Sītā seated under śiṃśapā in modest attire, Hanumat hidden among branches, strong outlines and saturated greens/reds, expressive eyes conveying sorrow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Sītā under a decorated tree with gold-leaf accents on leaves and ornaments, Hanumat small and reverent at a distance, rich textile patterns, devotional framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, gentle shading, sequential vignette: searching halls then entering grove; Sītā under śiṃśapā with restrained emotion, clear storytelling composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed garden with flowering trees and pathways, Sītā seated under a tree with attendants implied, Hanumat peering from foliage, fine botanical detail and courtly garden design"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नापश्यत् = न + अपश्यत्; पानभूम्यादौ = पानभूमि + आदौ (य्-आगम); दृष्टवाञ्छिंशपातले = दृष्टवान् + शिंशपातले (न् + श् → ञ्छ् संधि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9 (Sītā-darśana under śiṃśapā; subsequent dialogue)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse is narrative, describing the search-location sequence culminating in Sītā being seen under the śiṃśapā tree in the Aśoka grove.
It shows the Agni Purana’s inclusion of Itihāsa-style narration (Ramayana episodes) alongside its many technical sections, serving as a compendium that preserves both doctrine/vidyās and celebrated sacred history.
The passage highlights steadfast effort and hope amid anxiety—persistence in dharmic purpose is portrayed as leading to auspicious discovery and divine reassurance.