Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 12
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
सीताया हरणं पापं कृतन्त्वं हि गुरुर्यतः अतो गच्छामि युद्धाय रामं हन्मि सवानरम्
sītāyā haraṇaṃ pāpaṃ kṛtantvaṃ hi gururyataḥ ato gacchāmi yuddhāya rāmaṃ hanmi savānaram
The abduction of Sītā is a sin; for the Lord of Death (Kṛtānta) is indeed a stern teacher. Therefore I go to battle—I shall slay Rāma together with the monkeys.
Rāvaṇa (as quoted within Agni Purana’s Ramayana episode; overall narration traditionally by Agni to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Ethical reflection on adharma (abduction) leading to inevitable punitive consequence; motivates righteous action and accountability in leadership and warfare decisions.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sītā-haraṇa as Pāpa and Kṛtānta as Guru (Inevitable Retribution)","lookup_keywords":["Sītā-haraṇa","pāpa","Kṛtānta","yuddha-niścaya","Rāma-vadha-saṅkalpa"],"quick_summary":"Frames Sītā’s abduction as a moral transgression whose consequence is taught by Kṛtānta (Death) as an inexorable instructor; the speaker resolves to enter battle, showing how adharma drives one toward self-destruction."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa
Concept: Pāpa inevitably ripens into duḥkha; Death (Kṛtānta) functions as the impartial ‘teacher’ of karmaphala.
Application: Use moral foresight in actions; recognize that unethical gains precipitate predictable downfall.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Katha (Ramayana Narrative / Dharma-Karma Reflection)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A rākṣasa warrior declares that Sītā’s abduction is sinful and that Kṛtānta teaches through death; he strides toward the battlefield vowing to slay Rāma and the vānaras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Laṅkā battlefield threshold, towering rākṣasa with fierce eyes and ornate crown speaking with raised hand, distant Rāma with bow and vānaras, flat vibrant colors, bold outlines, temple-mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, rākṣasa commander in jeweled attire making a vow, gold-leaf highlights on ornaments and weapons, stylized Laṅkā architecture behind, Rāma and vānaras as smaller narrative vignette, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional narrative panel: rākṣasa speech gesture (mudrā), labeled figures (Rāma, vānaras), delicate linework, soft shading, parchment-like background, emphasis on moral declaration before combat","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet tense scene at Laṅkā ramparts, rākṣasa addressing attendants, calligraphic caption space, detailed textiles and armor, distant battlefield with Rāma’s camp, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गुरुर्यतः → गुरुः + यतः; सवानरम् = स + वानरम् (सह-अर्थे).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihāsa-khaṇḍa: Rāma–Rāvaṇa-yuddha sequence (adjacent verses 10.13–10.16)
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys dharma–karma instruction: abducting another’s wife is pāpa, and Kṛtānta (Death) functions as the inevitable ‘teacher’ through consequence.
By embedding ethical causality and governance-of-action (dharma/adharma and their results) inside an Itihāsa narrative, the Agni Purana teaches practical moral philosophy alongside its many other subjects.
It underscores that grave adharma (such as Sītā-haraṇa) ripens into unavoidable retribution—Death and fate become the correcting force—driving the sinner toward destructive outcomes.