Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 9
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
रामं रामो ऽपि युयुधे शरैर् विव्याध राक्षसान् हस्त्यश्वरथपादातं बलं निन्ये यमक्षयं
rāmaṃ rāmo 'pi yuyudhe śarair vivyādha rākṣasān hastyaśvarathapādātaṃ balaṃ ninye yamakṣayaṃ
ರಾಮನು ಯುದ್ಧಮಾಡಿ ಬಾಣಗಳಿಂದ ರಾಕ್ಷಸರನ್ನು ಸೀಳಿದನು; ಆನೆ, ಕುದುರೆ, ರಥ ಮತ್ತು ಕಾಲಾಳುಗಳ ಸೈನ್ಯವನ್ನು ಯಮನ ಲೋಕಕ್ಕೆ ಕಳುಹಿಸಿದನು.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Highlights Rama’s archery and battlefield effect on combined arms (elephants, horses, chariots, infantry); useful for martial-ethos narration and dharma-victory themes.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāma’s arrow-battle and destruction of the rākṣasa army","lookup_keywords":["Rāma","śara","rākṣasa army","hasty-aśva-ratha-pādāta","Yama abode"],"quick_summary":"Rāma engages the rākṣasa host and, through decisive archery, annihilates their combined forces, poetically described as sending them to Yama’s realm."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbole) in ‘to Yama’s abode’; yuddha-varṇana conventions
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows (śara)
Concept: Dharma-protected heroism: righteous force overcomes numerically superior adharma.
Application: In conflict, align means with dharma; cultivate skill and composure rather than relying on brute numbers.
Khanda Section: Avataras / Ramayana Narrative (Rama-katha, Itihasa-sangraha)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma stands firm, releasing volleys of arrows; rākṣasa troops with elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry collapse amid the battlefield chaos.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, heroic Rāma with bow in tribhaṅga-like stance, stylized arrows as repeated motifs, elephants and chariots tumbling, strong reds/ochres, dynamic diagonals conveying motion","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Rāma with radiant aura and gold embellishments on bow and ornaments, surrounding battlefield with layered troops, decorative borders, dramatic yet iconic composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of troop categories (elephant, horse, chariot, foot), Rāma’s archery shown stepwise in a single panel, fine detailing of weapons and armor","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, crowded battle scene with naturalistic animals, detailed chariots, arrows mid-flight, dust and movement, Rāma as focal figure with calm expression"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रामोऽपि = रामः + अपि; शरैर् = शरैः (visarga before consonant); यमक्षयं = यम + क्षयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 7.8; Agni Purana 7.10
FAQs
Primarily martial imagery: the verse highlights archery (śara) as the decisive means by which a hero routs and destroys a fourfold army (elephants, horses, chariots, infantry), aligning with Dhanurveda-style battlefield description rather than ritual instruction.
Alongside rituals and doctrines, the Agni Purana also preserves itihasa-style narratives and practical cultural knowledge—here, classical categories of armies and warfare vocabulary—showing its wide thematic range.
It frames the triumph of dharmic heroism: the unrighteous aggressors (rākṣasas) meet death (Yama’s realm), implying that adharma culminates in ruin while righteous valor is upheld.