Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 22
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
अविन्ध्यवारितो राजा रथस्थः सबलो ययौ इन्द्रोक्तो मातली रामं रथस्थं प्रचकार तम्
avindhyavārito rājā rathasthaḥ sabalo yayau indrokto mātalī rāmaṃ rathasthaṃ pracakāra tam
തടസ്സമില്ലാതെ രാജാവ് സൈന്യസഹിതം രഥസ്ഥനായി മുന്നോട്ട് നീങ്ങി. പിന്നെ ഇന്ദ്രാജ്ഞപ്രകാരം മാതലി രാമനെ രഥത്തിൽ ഇരുത്തി രഥിയായി സ്ഥാപിച്ചു.
Agni (as narrator of Purāṇic/Itihāsa material, traditionally relayed to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Models righteous leadership and battlefield logistics: chariot deployment, divine alliance (Indra’s support), and the role of a skilled charioteer in war.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Mātali installs Rāma on Indra’s chariot","lookup_keywords":["Mātali","Indra-ratha","Rāma chariot","rathastha","Rāvaṇa-yuddha"],"quick_summary":"Rāma advances unhindered with his forces; Indra’s charioteer Mātali places him on the divine chariot, emphasizing the strategic and symbolic power of proper ratha-support in battle."}
Alamkara Type: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (dynamic action description)
Weapon Type: Chariot (Ratha) as war-platform; implied bow-archery context
Concept: Dharma is supported by cosmic order; rightful action gains timely assistance.
Application: Cultivate preparedness and accept competent support; align strategy with ethical purpose.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Ramayana-katha (Narrative Section: Rama–Ravana War Episode)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma, accompanied by his army, is placed upon Indra’s celestial chariot by Mātali, poised to enter the decisive phase of battle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, Rāma with bow on a radiant celestial chariot, Mātali as charioteer with reins, vanara army behind, Laṅkā battlefield motifs, ornate borders, devotional-war mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf halo and ornaments, Indra’s chariot richly decorated, Rāma enthroned/standing with bow, Mātali guiding, stylized clouds and auspicious motifs, heavy jewelry detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework and soft shading, instructional clarity: chariot structure, reins, warrior stance, Mātali’s posture, battlefield in background, balanced composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed chariot mechanics and textiles, Rāma mounted with bow, Mātali in profile holding reins, troops arranged in ranks, architectural hints of Laṅkā, fine brushwork and naturalistic horses."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अविन्ध्यवारितः = अविन्ध्य-वारितः; इन्द्रोक्तो = इन्द्र-उक्तः; रथस्थः/रथस्थम् = रथ-स्थः/रथ-स्थम्; सबलो = स-बलः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-katha sections on Rāma–Rāvaṇa yuddha; Dhanurveda-oriented battle descriptions nearby
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse records a narrative action—Indra’s charioteer Mātali placing Rāma on the chariot as divine assistance in a war context.
It shows the Agni Purana’s multi-genre scope: alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, it also preserves Itihāsa-style narrative segments (Ramayana material) that transmit dharma, kingship ideals, and divine intervention motifs.
The passage underscores the doctrine that righteous leadership (the dhārmic king) receives divine support; it frames victory as aligned with dharma rather than mere force, encouraging devotion and moral action as causes of auspicious aid.