Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 23
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
रामरावणयोर्युद्धं रामरावणयोरिव रावणो वानरान् हन्ति मारुत्याद्याश् च रावणम्
rāmarāvaṇayoryuddhaṃ rāmarāvaṇayoriva rāvaṇo vānarān hanti mārutyādyāś ca rāvaṇam
ರಾಮ-ರಾವಣರ ಯುದ್ಧವು ರಾಮರಾವಣರ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಸಮರದಂತೆ ಭೀಕರವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ರಾವಣನು ವಾನರರನ್ನು ಸಂಹರಿಸಿದನು; ಮಾರುತಿ (ಹನುಮಂತ) ಮೊದಲಾದವರು ಪ್ರತಿಯಾಗಿ ರಾವಣನ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರಹಾರ ಮಾಡಿದರು.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vashistha, as per the Agni Purana’s principal dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Conveys the intensity of dharma-yuddha and the reciprocal blows of opposing forces; useful for teaching narrative framing of battle and morale psychology.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāma–Rāvaṇa battle and vanara–rākṣasa clash","lookup_keywords":["Rāma-Rāvaṇa yuddha","vānaras","Maruti Hanumān","battle intensity","reciprocal strikes"],"quick_summary":"The verse highlights the famed ferocity of the duel while situating it within the broader melee: rākṣasas strike vanaras, and Hanumān and allies counterattack Rāvaṇa."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka/anuvṛtti-like repetition (रामरावणयोर्युद्धं ... रामरावणयोरिव)
Weapon Type: Implied mixed weapons; Hanumān’s gada/strength implied; general melee
Concept: Collective effort supports righteous leadership; even a central duel depends on allied valor.
Application: In high-stakes conflict, coordinate team action around a clear objective while sustaining morale.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Itihasa-Katha (Ramayana narrative episodes)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A panoramic battlefield: Rāma and Rāvaṇa locked in famed combat while rākṣasas strike vanaras and Hanumān leads the counterblow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, crowded battle tableau, central Rāma vs Rāvaṇa, Hanumān mid-leap, rhythmic arrangement of vanaras and rākṣasas, bold reds/greens, stylized weapons, dramatic yet devotional.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central duel with gold highlights on crowns and weapons, Hanumān prominent with ornate jewelry, layered figures, decorative borders, emphasis on divine heroism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear separation of duel and melee zones, fine lines for expressions, readable troop formations, subdued elegance with detailed costumes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intricate battle choreography, individualized faces, detailed armor and textiles, perspective showing depth, Hanumān dynamic in foreground, Laṅkā landscape elements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रामरावणयोर्युद्धं = राम-रावणयोः युद्धम्; रामरावणयोरिव = राम-रावणयोः इव; मारुत्याद्याः = मारुति-आद्याः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-katha: vanara-sainya descriptions; Rāma–Rāvaṇa duel sequence
FAQs
This verse is primarily Itihasa-katha (narrative instruction) rather than a technical vidya; it conveys the dynamics of battle and heroic opposition—Ravana’s assault and the Vanara champions’ counteraction.
By incorporating Ramayana battle episodes alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and aesthetics, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium—preserving dharmic exemplars and epic history as one domain of knowledge.
It reinforces the puranic ethic that adharma-driven power (Ravana’s violence) is ultimately opposed and overcome by dharma-aligned forces (Rama’s side), encouraging faith in righteous action and its karmic fruition.