Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 21
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
शरैर् इन्द्रजितं वीरं युद्धे तं तु व्यशातयत् रावणः शोकसन्तप्तः सीतां हन्तुं समुद्यतः
śarair indrajitaṃ vīraṃ yuddhe taṃ tu vyaśātayat rāvaṇaḥ śokasantaptaḥ sītāṃ hantuṃ samudyataḥ
ໃນສົງຄາມ ພຣະອົງໄດ້ຍິງລູກສອນປະຫານວີຣະບຸລຸດ ອິນທຣະຈິດ. ຣາວະນະ ຖືກເຜົາໄໝ້ດ້ວຍຄວາມໂສກ ແລ້ວລຸກຂຶ້ນ ມຸ່ງຫມາຍຈະຂ້າ ສີຕາ.
Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s puranic discourse style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Highlights the turning point of eliminating the enemy’s foremost champion and the psychological fallout (grief-driven escalation) that follows.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Indrajit-vadha and Ravana’s grief-response","lookup_keywords":["Indrajit slain","Lakshmana arrows","Ravana grief","Sita threat","Lanka yuddha"],"quick_summary":"Indrajit is felled by arrows; Ravana’s grief converts into a rash resolve to kill Sita—showing how battlefield loss triggers desperate, unethical decisions."}
Alamkara Type: Karuna-udrekha (surge of pathos)
Weapon Type: Bow (arrows)
Concept: Grief and anger can drive adharma—especially violence against the protected/innocent.
Application: In loss, restrain retaliatory impulses; uphold dharma even under extreme emotional pressure.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Katha (Ramayana narrative / Puranic retelling)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Indrajit lies struck by arrows; Lakshmana stands victorious. In a separate vignette, Ravana burns with grief and turns toward Sita with a weapon, intent on harm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: split narrative panel—left Lakshmana with bow over fallen Indrajit, right Ravana with fierce eyes and dark aura moving toward Sita, strong reds/blacks, dramatic gestures","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Lakshmana triumphant with gold halo, Indrajit fallen with ornate armor; Ravana in another section with gold accents but ominous posture, Sita serene and protected by divine aura motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clear sequential storytelling—Indrajit’s defeat then Ravana’s grief reaction; refined expressions emphasizing karuna and impending raudra","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed battlefield aftermath with arrows, Lakshmana poised; palace interior vignette of Ravana’s grief and Sita’s composed fearlessness, rich textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शरैर्=शरैः (र् before इ); शोकसन्तप्तः=शोक+सन्तप्तः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 10.20 (Nikumbhila interruption leading to Indrajit’s fall); Agni Purana 10.17 (earlier champion slayings in Lanka-yuddha)
FAQs
No ritual or manual-vidyā is taught here; it is an itihāsa-style war narrative highlighting battlefield action (archery) and the psychological trigger of grief leading to violent intent.
By incorporating Ramayana episodes alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and śāstra topics, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium—preserving epic narrative material that conveys dharma, kingship ethics, and models of conduct under crisis.
The verse underscores how śoka (grief) can propel adharma—Ravana’s impulse to kill Sita signals karmically destructive, passion-driven action that deepens bondage and downfall.