Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 14
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
कर्णनासाविहीनो ऽसौ भक्षयामास वानरान् रामो ऽथ कुम्भकर्णस्य बाहू चिच्छेद शायकैः
karṇanāsāvihīno 'sau bhakṣayāmāsa vānarān rāmo 'tha kumbhakarṇasya bāhū ciccheda śāyakaiḥ
Deprived of his ears and nose, he (Kumbhakarṇa) began devouring the monkeys. Then Rāma severed Kumbhakarṇa’s arms with arrows.
Agni (narrating the Purāṇic-epic account to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Shows escalation from disfigurement to lethal neutralization; demonstrates archery used for limb-severing to stop a devouring rampage.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kumbhakarṇa’s Devouring and Rāma’s Arrow-Limb Severing","lookup_keywords":["Kumbhakarṇa","bhakṣaṇa","Rāma","śāyaka","bāhu-ccheda"],"quick_summary":"After being mutilated, Kumbhakarṇa turns more ferocious and begins devouring vānaras; Rāma responds with precise arrows that sever the arms, halting the immediate threat."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic ferocity)
Weapon Type: Bow
Concept: Dharma acts decisively to protect the vulnerable; righteous force is measured and effective.
Application: When confronting harm, intervene with the least necessary but sufficient force to stop ongoing violence.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-katha (Avataras and Epic Narrative)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kumbhakarṇa, ear-and-nose-less, devours vānaras; Rāma stands poised and severs the giant’s arms with a volley of arrows.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Rāma in serene stance with drawn bow, arrows mid-flight, gigantic disfigured Kumbhakarṇa devouring vānaras, dramatic diagonals, saturated greens/reds, stylized anatomy and ornaments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Rāma with halo and kodanda, gold-leaf on jewelry and bow details, Kumbhakarṇa shown huge with severed arms implied, vānaras in lower register, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, stepwise action emphasis: Rāma’s aim line to the arms, clean composition, soft shading, didactic clarity of limb-targeting, minimal gore","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed battlefield with arrows striking arms, expressive faces of vānaras, textured landscape, careful rendering of motion and anatomy, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विहीनो ऽसौ → विहीनः + असौ; रामो ऽथ → रामः + अथ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihāsa-khaṇḍa: Rāma’s battle actions culminating in Kumbhakarṇa-vadha (10.13–10.15)
FAQs
Primarily martial (Dhanurveda) imagery: the effective use of śāyakas (arrows) for disabling a powerful enemy by severing limbs, emphasizing tactical targeting rather than only frontal assault.
Alongside ritual, law, and other sciences, the Agni Purāṇa preserves Itihāsa material and integrates warfare descriptions—showing how Purāṇas function as compendia that include epic history and martial practice references.
It frames dharmic victory: Rāma’s decisive action protects his allies (the vānaras) from adharma-driven violence, presenting righteous leadership and the safeguarding of dependents as spiritually meritorious.