Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 28
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
ब्रह्मणा दशरथेन त्वं विष्णू राक्षसमर्दनः इन्द्रोर्चितो ऽमृतवृष्ट्या जीवयामास वानरान्
brahmaṇā daśarathena tvaṃ viṣṇū rākṣasamardanaḥ indrorcito 'mṛtavṛṣṭyā jīvayāmāsa vānarān
നീ വിഷ്ണുവാണ്, രാക്ഷസമർദകൻ; ബ്രഹ്മാവും ദശരഥനും നിന്നെ സ്തുതിച്ചു. ഇന്ദ്രനും നിന്നെ അർച്ചിച്ച് അമൃതവൃഷ്ടിയാൽ വാനരന്മാരെ ജീവിപ്പിച്ചു.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic/Rāmāyaṇa material to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Devotional recollection of Vishnu-as-Rama’s divine support: invokes confidence in divine protection and restoration after calamity.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Indra’s amṛta-vṛṣṭi reviving the Vānara army","lookup_keywords":["amrita-vrishti","Indra honors Rama","vanara revival","rakshasa-mardana","Brahma Dasharatha praise"],"quick_summary":"Rama is identified with Vishnu, praised by Brahma and Dasharatha; Indra showers nectar to revive fallen monkeys—divine aid completing the avatara’s mission."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/Utprekṣā (nectar-rain as life-restoring marvel)
Concept: Avatāra-tattva: the Supreme acts in history; devas align with dharma and sustain the righteous.
Application: Cultivate śraddhā and perseverance—aid may come through unexpected ‘amṛta’ moments after severe loss.
Khanda Section: Avatara-Charita (Ramayana Summary / Vishnu-Avatara Narratives)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rama as Vishnu-like hero receives praise; Indra in the sky releases a shower of nectar that revives fallen vanaras who rise again on the battlefield.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: layered sky with Indra on Airavata, stylized white-blue nectar rain; below, vanaras awakening; Rama radiant at center with bow; bold outlines, saturated colors, temple mural symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Rama central with gold halo; Indra above with gold-embossed crown; nectar drops rendered as pearl-like beads; revived vanaras in lower band; heavy ornamentation and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined faces and gentle gradients; clear depiction of fallen-to-rising vanaras; Indra’s cloud bank and nectar rain; Rama calm and steady, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed battlefield ground, expressive vanaras regaining life; Indra in a cloud pavilion pouring shimmering rain; Rama as princely commander, fine textile detail and landscape depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"uplifting","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इन्द्रोर्चितो → इन्द्रः + अर्चितः; 'अमृतवृष्ट्या' is instrumental; 'जीवयामास' is periphrastic perfect with causative stem.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-saṅkṣepa: war and victory episodes around these verses
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys Purāṇic avatāra-doctrine and divine protection—Vishnu’s role as the destroyer of demonic forces and the devas’ support (Indra’s amṛta-rain) in restoring life.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium style by embedding a concise Rāmāyaṇa episode within a broader multi-topic text, preserving avatāra history alongside other disciplines (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics) elsewhere in the work.
The takeaway is faith in dharma’s protection: devotion and alignment with Vishnu’s righteous cause are portrayed as life-restoring and victory-giving, while rakshasic (adharmic) forces are ultimately crushed.