Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 13
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
इत्युक्त्वा वानरान् सर्वान् कुम्भकर्णो ममर्द ह गृहीतस्तेन सुग्रीवः कर्णनासं चकर्त सः
ityuktvā vānarān sarvān kumbhakarṇo mamarda ha gṛhītastena sugrīvaḥ karṇanāsaṃ cakarta saḥ
असे बोलून कुंभकर्णाने सर्व वानरांना चिरडून टाकले. त्याने पकडल्यावर सुग्रीवाने त्याचे कान व नाक कापले.
Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Illustrates close-quarters combat outcomes and survival tactics against a stronger grappling opponent; emphasizes targeting vulnerable points to break an enemy’s advantage.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kumbhakarṇa’s Onslaught and Sugrīva’s Mutilation Counterstrike","lookup_keywords":["Kumbhakarṇa","vānaras","mardana","Sugrīva","karṇa-nāsa-ccheda"],"quick_summary":"Depicts Kumbhakarṇa crushing the vānaras and seizing Sugrīva; Sugrīva counters by cutting off the attacker’s ears and nose—an incapacitating strike to escape and reduce threat."}
Alamkara Type: Anukaraṇa (vivid action narration)
Weapon Type: Sword
Concept: Even overwhelming force can be checked by presence of mind and timely, targeted action; courage under constraint.
Application: In crises, choose the most effective disabling action rather than panicking; protect the collective by neutralizing key threats.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Rama-Ravana-Yuddha narrative)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Vīra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kumbhakarṇa rampages, crushing vānaras; he grabs Sugrīva, who slashes off Kumbhakarṇa’s ears and nose in a desperate close-range counter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, massive rākṣasa dominating frame, vānaras scattered, Sugrīva in dynamic twist cutting the face, strong red-black palette, stylized blood minimal, bold contours and rhythmic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central colossal Kumbhakarṇa with ornate jewelry, Sugrīva at chest level with sword, gold work on crowns and armlets, narrative border with fleeing vānaras, dramatic but iconic poses","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional combat tableau: grappling hold shown, Sugrīva’s blade angle emphasized, fine lines and soft colors, minimal background, focus on anatomy and action sequence","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, crowded battle scene with detailed armor and expressions, Kumbhakarṇa holding Sugrīva, precise depiction of the cut to ear and nose, layered troops and banners, delicate shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्युक्त्वा → इति + उक्त्वा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihāsa-khaṇḍa: Kumbhakarṇa-vadha narrative (10.12–10.15)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as an itihāsa-style battlefield narration highlighting tactics of close-quarters combat and counter-attack.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana also preserves itihāsa narratives; this verse exemplifies its compendium character by embedding a Ramayana war episode within the broader puranic encyclopedia.
The passage underscores the karmic gravity of violence in war and the dharmic theme of resisting adharma; it presents valor and protection of one’s allies as a righteous response within a sanctioned conflict.