Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 12
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
रावणं राक्षसं हत्वा सबलं देवि मा शुच साभिज्ञानं देहि मे त्वं मणिं सीताददत्कपौ
rāvaṇaṃ rākṣasaṃ hatvā sabalaṃ devi mā śuca sābhijñānaṃ dehi me tvaṃ maṇiṃ sītādadatkapau
“ഹേ ദേവീ, രാക്ഷസനായ രാവണനെ അവന്റെ സൈന്യത്തോടുകൂടെ വധിച്ച്, ദുഃഖിക്കരുത്. തിരിച്ചറിയൽ ചിഹ്നമായി നിന്റെ മണി എനിക്ക് തരിക.” അപ്പോൾ സീത കപിക്ക് ആ രത്നം നൽകി।
Hanumān (addressing Sītā; narrated within Agni Purana’s Ramayana episode, traditionally relayed by Agni to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Shows mission protocol: messenger requests a counter-token (abhijnana) to report back; also frames strategic assurance to stabilize the captive’s morale.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sita gives a jewel as abhijnana for Rama","lookup_keywords":["abhijnana","mani","hanuman","ravana-vadha","duta-pramana"],"quick_summary":"Hanuman consoles Sita with the assurance of Ravana’s eventual defeat and requests a recognition token; Sita gives a jewel to authenticate the report to Rama."}
Alamkara Type: Bhavika (future event vividly stated)
Concept: Removing shoka through dharmic certainty and right means: consolation paired with practical steps (token exchange) to complete the rescue.
Application: In crisis leadership, combine morale-building assurance with concrete operational requirements (evidence, deliverables, next steps).
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-upakhyana (Ramayana narrative episode within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Kingdom/Garden
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hanuman consoles Sita, speaking of Ravana’s defeat; Sita hands over a shining jewel as a recognition token for Rama.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; Sita seated in Ashoka grove offering a gem; Hanuman receiving with humility; background hints of Lanka’s walls; bold outlines, traditional palette, sacred serenity with heroic undertone","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; gem rendered with bright gold and jewel tones; Sita and Hanuman with halos, ornate gold embossing; composition centered on the exchange of the mani","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; clear narrative instruction—hand-to-hand transfer of the jewel; soft shading, refined expressions; minimal but elegant garden setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; detailed garden and distant palace architecture; Sita giving a jewel to Hanuman; fine depiction of gem sparkle, textiles, and attendants in the background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Raga Bilahari","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सीताददत्कपौ = सीता + अदात् + कपौ; अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-सन्धि न्यूनम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana synopsis: Ravana-vadha and return; Agni Purana niti/duta themes (general)
FAQs
It conveys the practical protocol of sābhijñāna—sending a verifiable token (the jewel) through a messenger to authenticate identity and message in epic diplomacy.
By embedding an Itihasa (Ramayana) episode, the Agni Purana preserves models of communication, proof, and conduct (dharma in crisis), alongside its many technical subjects—showing it as a compendium of narrative, ethics, and applied wisdom.
The verse highlights śoka-nivṛtti (cessation of grief) through faith and righteous action: hope grounded in dharma, and the jewel as a sacred pledge that sustains devotion and perseverance until reunion and justice.