Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 24
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
रामः शस्त्रैस्तमस्त्रैश् च ववर्ध जलदो यथा तस्य ध्वजं स चिच्छेद रथमश्वांश् च सारथिम्
rāmaḥ śastraistamastraiś ca vavardha jalado yathā tasya dhvajaṃ sa ciccheda rathamaśvāṃś ca sārathim
രാമൻ ശസ്ത്രാസ്ത്രങ്ങളോടെ മഴമേഘംപോലെ ഉന്മേഷത്തോടെ മുന്നേറി. അവൻ ശത്രുവിന്റെ ധ്വജം വെട്ടി, രഥവും കുതിരകളും സാരഥിയും കൂടി നശിപ്പിച്ചു.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Illustrates battlefield target-priority: disabling enemy command symbols (dhvaja), mobility assets (ratha, aśva), and control node (sārathi) to neutralize a superior foe.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ratha-neutralization sequence: dhvaja–ratha–aśva–sārathi","lookup_keywords":["dhvaja cheda","ratha-bhanga","aśva-vadha","sārathi","target priority"],"quick_summary":"Rāma’s assault is compared to a swelling rain-cloud; he systematically cripples the enemy by cutting the banner, chariot, horses, and charioteer—an archetype of disabling strikes in chariot warfare."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (जलदो यथा)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows; astras (missiles)
Concept: Skillful means (upāya) in conflict: neutralize capability rather than only seeking direct kill.
Application: In adversarial situations, identify and remove enabling systems (symbols, mobility, coordination) to reduce harm and end conflict efficiently.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Avatara-Charita (Ramayana narrative / martial episodes)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma, like a swelling monsoon cloud, fires a sequence of arrows that topple the enemy banner, shatter the chariot, fell the horses, and strike the charioteer.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic falling dhvaja, splintering chariot, stylized horses, Rāma in strong archer stance, swirling cloud motifs to echo the simile, bold outlines and saturated palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents on banner and chariot ornaments, Rāma luminous with halo, arrows rendered as bright streaks, decorative battlefield framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step clarity of targets (banner, chariot, horses, charioteer), fine detailing of harness and wheel, calm precision despite action.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous depiction of chariot construction and horse tack, banner collapsing in fabric folds, dynamic diagonals of arrows, dust and motion lines, naturalistic anatomy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शस्त्रैस्तमस्त्रैश्च = शस्त्रैः तम् अस्त्रैः च; रथमश्वांश्च = रथम् अश्वान् च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda portions on ratha-yuddha; Ramayana-katha battle progression
FAQs
It reflects Dhanurveda-style combat praxis: coordinated use of śastra (hand-weapons) and astra (projectile/missile weapons), and the tactical disabling of the enemy’s chariot-system—banner, chariot, horses, and charioteer—to neutralize mobility and command.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical knowledge domains; here it embeds martial science within an epic frame, illustrating battlefield targeting priorities (dhvaja–ratha–aśva–sārathi) and the śastra/astra classification central to traditional military literature.
By portraying Rama’s controlled, decisive valor, the verse frames righteous force (dharma-yuddha) as disciplined action—courage and skill employed to end conflict effectively, aligning power with duty rather than rage or cruelty.