Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 10
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇana
Description of the Incarnation of Sri Rama
पुत्रौ कुशलवौ जातौ वाल्मीकेराश्रमे वरौ लोकापवादात्त्यक्तायां ज्ञातौ सुचरितश्रवात्
putrau kuśalavau jātau vālmīkerāśrame varau lokāpavādāttyaktāyāṃ jñātau sucaritaśravāt
ບຸດຜູ້ປະເສີດສອງຄົນ ຄຸສະ ແລະ ລະວະ ເກີດຂຶ້ນໃນອາສຣົມຂອງວານມີກິ; ແລະເມື່ອນາງຖືກປະຖິ້ມເນື່ອງຈາກຄຳນິນທາຂອງຊາວໂລກ ພວກເຂົາຈຶ່ງຖືກຮັບຮູ້ພາຍຫຼັງ ໂດຍການໄດ້ຍິນເລື່ອງຈິດຈັນຍາດີງາມຂອງນາງ।
Lord Agni (narrating the Itihasa episode within the Agni Purana framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Highlights social dynamics of loka-apavāda (public censure) and later recognition through character and narrative testimony; useful for discussions on reputation, justice, and lineage recognition.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Birth of Kuśa and Lava in Vālmīki’s āśrama; recognition after Sītā’s abandonment due to public scandal","lookup_keywords":["Kuśa","Lava","Vālmīki-āśrama","loka-apavāda","Sītā-tyāga"],"quick_summary":"The verse summarizes the āśrama-birth and later identification of Kuśa–Lava, framing how public opinion can drive royal decisions while truth emerges through testimony of conduct and story."}
Alamkara Type: Dhvani (suggestion) / Narrative compression
Concept: Tension between loka-apavāda and satya; the dharmic role of āśrama as protector of the vulnerable and preserver of truth.
Application: Caution in governance: avoid decisions driven solely by rumor; establish fair inquiry and protect those harmed by public censure.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Itihasa-sankalana / Puranic retelling)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred hermitage (Āśrama)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene forest hermitage of Vālmīki where Sītā gives birth to Kuśa and Lava; later, the twins are recognized through the fame of her noble conduct and the heard narrative.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; forest āśrama with thatched huts, sages, deer; Sītā with gentle aura holding infants; Vālmīki seated with palm-leaf manuscript; subdued palette conveying karuṇa","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; Sītā with infants in a sanctified hermitage framed by gold arch; Vālmīki with veena or manuscript; divine protection motifs, rich ornamentation despite rustic setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting; instructional clarity—āśrama layout, sages, river nearby; Sītā and twins central; later recognition hinted by a reciter holding a manuscript, soft shading and fine lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; detailed woodland with birds and foliage; hermitage scene with Sītā and twins; a bard/reciter reading, suggesting recognition through hearing; naturalistic composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vālmīkerāśrame → vālmīkeḥ + āśrame; lokāpavādāttyaktāyām → lokāpavādāt + tyaktāyām.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-saṅgraha passages on Sītā and Kuśa–Lava (contextual)
FAQs
This verse conveys Itihasa-based dharma instruction rather than a ritual technique: it highlights the social force of lokāpavāda (public reproach) and its consequences, framed within the Ramayana narrative.
By embedding Ramayana episodes, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium that preserves narrative history (itihasa) alongside law, worship, and other sciences—using famous exemplars (Sītā, Vālmīki, Kuśa-Lava) to communicate ethical and political themes.
It underscores the karmic and dharmic tension between personal virtue (sucarita) and worldly reputation (lokāpavāda), teaching that true merit is grounded in conduct, even when society misjudges.