Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 15
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
रामस्य च वनेवासं नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च यौवराज्यञ्च भरते तदिदानीं प्रदास्यति
rāmasya ca vanevāsaṃ nava varṣāṇi pañca ca yauvarājyañca bharate tadidānīṃ pradāsyati
ഇപ്പോൾ അവൻ രാമനു ഒൻപതു വർഷവും പിന്നെ അഞ്ചു വർഷവും വനവാസം വിധിക്കുകയും, അതേ സമയത്ത് ഭരതനു യുവരാജപദം നൽകുകയും ചെയ്യും।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vashistha; Ramayana episode retold within Agni Purana’s encyclopedic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Understanding royal succession ethics and the dharmic consequences of exile/deprivation of rightful heirship; guidance for governance and family duty.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rama’s forest-exile and Bharata’s appointment as heir","lookup_keywords":["vanavasa","yauvarajya","Bharata","Rama","Dasharatha"],"quick_summary":"The verse states the political decision: Rama is sent to forest-exile for fourteen years while Bharata is installed as heir-apparent, setting the ethical crisis of kingship and promise-keeping."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (implicit contrast)
Concept: Satya-vacana (truth to pledged word) versus rajadharma (just succession).
Application: Leaders weigh promises against justice; families learn how boons and favoritism destabilize dharma and polity.
Khanda Section: Avataras / Ramayana-katha (Itihasa-samgraha)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Court proclamation implied: the king’s decree of Rama’s exile and Bharata’s installation as heir, with ministers and royal insignia present.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Ayodhya palace interior, Dasharatha on throne with parasol and attendants, Rama calm in royal attire, Bharata shown as youthful prince, ministers in rows, rich earthy reds and greens, stylized faces, temple-mural composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf throne room, Dasharatha with jeweled crown, Rama and Bharata in ornate garments, inscriptions of 'vanavasa' and 'yauvarajya' motifs, heavy gold work, symmetrical composition, haloed figures.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, instructional court scene with labeled figures (Rama, Bharata, Dasharatha), subdued palette, delicate ornamentation, emphasis on gesture of decree and solemn mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed Ayodhya durbar, patterned carpets, courtiers in profile, Dasharatha issuing decree, Rama composed, Bharata receiving token of heirship, architectural arches and fine textile detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Raga Kedar (grave, dignified)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यौवराज्यञ्च = यौवराज्यम् + च; तदिदानीं = तत् + इदानीम्; वनेवासं = वन-वासम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 6.16-6.19 (Kaikeyi-Manthara episode leading to exile vow); Agni Purana Ramayana-samgraha sections on Rama’s departure and Bharata’s refusal (later verses/chapters)
FAQs
This verse primarily conveys rajadharma-related statecraft themes—royal decree, succession (yauvarajya), and punitive/disciplinary exile—rather than a ritual procedure.
By embedding Itihasa (Ramayana) episodes, the Agni Purana contextualizes governance, legitimacy, and dharma through narrative exempla, complementing its broader coverage of ritual, polity, and ethics.
It highlights dharmic endurance under adversity and the karmic testing of rulers and heirs, framing exile and succession as moral trials that shape righteous conduct and merit.