Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 4
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
दशग्रीवस्य कुम्भस्य कुम्भकर्णस्य रक्षसः विभीषणस्येन्द्रजितो गृहे ऽन्येषां च रक्षसो
daśagrīvasya kumbhasya kumbhakarṇasya rakṣasaḥ vibhīṣaṇasyendrajito gṛhe 'nyeṣāṃ ca rakṣaso
दशग्रीव (रावण), कुम्भ, राक्षस कुंभकर्ण, विभीषण व इंद्रजित यांच्या राजवाड्यांत, तसेच इतर राक्षसांच्या घरांतही (तो शोध घेत राहिला)।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Cataloging enemy leadership residences: a narrative device for mapping power-centers and prioritizing surveillance targets.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Principal Rākṣasa Palaces in Laṅkā (Rāvaṇa to Indrajit)","lookup_keywords":["Dashagriva","Kumbhakarna","Vibhishana","Indrajit","rakshasa-griha"],"quick_summary":"A compact list of key Laṅkā figures and their residences, indicating the breadth of Hanumat’s search across major and minor rākṣasa households."}
Alamkara Type: Nama-sankirtana / enumeration (list-style naming)
Concept: Knowledge by classification—naming and ordering entities to make a complex domain searchable.
Application: When investigating a system, list principal actors and their ‘domains’ (homes/offices) before deeper inquiry.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-anuvamsa (Ravana-vadha / Lanka-kanda synopsis)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sweeping view of Laṅkā’s palace quarter with distinct mansions labeled by their lords—Rāvaṇa, Kumbhakarṇa, Vibhīṣaṇa, Indrajit—while Hanumat moves unseen across rooftops.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, panoramic Laṅkā with tiered palaces and gateways, each palace differentiated by color motifs, Hanumat small but central moving along parapets, ornamental borders and stylized architecture","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf palatial skyline, four prominent mansions with emblematic insignia (ten-headed banner for Rāvaṇa, etc.), Hanumat in miniature scale, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, diagrammatic yet elegant cityscape, palaces arranged in readable compartments, fine lines and soft colors, suited to ‘list’ visualization","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed architectural facades and courtyards, labeled figures implied within, Hanumat as a stealthy observer on terraces, intricate patterns and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विभीषणस्येन्द्रजितः = विभीषणस्य + इन्द्रजितः; गृहेऽन्येषाम् = गृहे + अन्येषाम् (ऽ = अवग्रह).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9 (Laṅkā reconnaissance and Sītā-anveṣaṇa sequence)
FAQs
No ritual/technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as a catalog-style identification of key rākṣasa figures and their households within the Laṅkā narrative context.
By compressing Itihāsa material into concise lists and narrative markers, the Agni Purāṇa preserves a broad reference-map of epic characters alongside its many other disciplines, making it usable as a compendium.
The verse primarily sets narrative context rather than prescribing a practice; its spiritual value lies in supporting smṛti (recollection) of dharma-centered epic history and the moral contrast between rākṣasa power and righteous conduct.