Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 20
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
हनूमान् धारयामास तत्रागं यत्र संस्थितः निकुम्भिलायां होमादि कुर्वन्तं तं हि लक्ष्मणः
hanūmān dhārayāmāsa tatrāgaṃ yatra saṃsthitaḥ nikumbhilāyāṃ homādi kurvantaṃ taṃ hi lakṣmaṇaḥ
ທີ່ນັ້ນ ຮະນຸມານໄດ້ກັ້ນໄວ້ລາວ ຢູ່ຈຸດທີ່ລາວປະຈຳການ; ແທ້ຈິງແລ້ວ, ພຣະລັກສະມະນະໄດ້ກັ້ນຜູ້ນັ້ນ ໃນຂະນະທີ່ລາວກຳລັງປະກອບພິທີໂຮມ ແລະ ພິທີອື່ນໆ ຢູ່ນິກຸມພິລາ.
Agni (traditionally narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa dialogue-frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Shows the tactical necessity of interrupting an enemy’s ritual empowerment (homa) and neutralizing them at the locus of their rite (Nikumbhila).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nikumbhila-homa-vighna (Disruption of Indrajit’s rite)","lookup_keywords":["Nikumbhila","homa","Indrajit","Lakshmana","Hanuman restraint"],"quick_summary":"Indrajit’s ritual action is checked at Nikumbhilā; the narrative underscores that rites can function as force-enhancers and thus become strategic targets."}
Weapon Type: Restraint/close engagement; implied archery by Lakshmana
Concept: Adharma may weaponize ritual; dharmic action may require stopping harmful rites.
Application: Discern intent behind ritual power and prevent its misuse; prioritize protection of innocents over formalities.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Raksasa-vadha / Lanka-yuddha narrative)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Sacred grove/ritual site
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Nikumbhilā, Indrajit performs homa near a fire-altar; Hanuman restrains/blocks him while Lakshmana advances to stop the rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: glowing homa fire in a square kunda, Indrajit in ritual garb with ladle, Hanuman gripping or blocking him, Lakshmana with bow entering the ritual grove, stylized trees and flames","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-embellished fire altar, Indrajit with ritual implements, Lakshmana radiant with halo, Hanuman powerful stance, ornate temple-like framing around the yaga scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional clarity of homa setup—kunda, samidha, ajya ladle—while showing interruption; balanced composition with readable ritual objects","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed ritual paraphernalia, smoky fire, tense moment of interruption, lush garden setting of Nikumbhila, expressive faces and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्रागं=तत्र+अगम्; होमादि=होम+आदि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 10.18 (Indrajit’s maya); Agni Purana 10.21 (Indrajit’s defeat)
FAQs
It references homa (fire-offering) and associated rites (homādi), indicating a ritual operation whose completion is strategically significant and therefore targeted for interruption.
Alongside ritual and doctrinal material, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves epic narrative (Ramāyaṇa-linked) where ritual practice (homa) intersects with military action—showing how Purāṇas integrate liturgy, place-traditions (Nikumbhilā), and statecraft/war episodes.
The verse highlights that ritual acts like homa are believed to generate potency (siddhi/śakti) for the performer; preventing an unrighteous or hostile rite is framed as protective dharma, averting harmful ritual consequences.