Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 23
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
दृष्टा सीतेति रामो ऽपि हृष्टः पप्रच्छ मारुतिम् कथं दृष्ट्वा त्वया सीता किमुवाच च माम्प्रति
dṛṣṭā sīteti rāmo 'pi hṛṣṭaḥ papraccha mārutim kathaṃ dṛṣṭvā tvayā sītā kimuvāca ca māmprati
Apabila mendengar, “Sītā telah dilihat,” Rāma pun bersukacita lalu menyoal Māruti (Hanumān): “Bagaimanakah engkau melihat Sītā, dan apakah yang dikatakannya tentang diriku?”
Narrator (Agni Purana’s narrative voice) reporting Rama’s words to Hanuman
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Models dharmic leadership: verify intelligence reports, ask precise questions, and seek actionable details before deciding.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rama questions Hanuman after news of Sita","lookup_keywords":["Rama","Hanuman","Sita seen","questioning messenger","Lanka intelligence"],"quick_summary":"Rama’s joy is immediately disciplined into inquiry: he asks how Sita was found and what message she conveyed, emphasizing reliable reporting and clear communication."}
Alamkara Type: Prashna (interrogative narration)
Concept: Pramāṇa in action—truth-seeking through direct questioning and accountable testimony.
Application: In governance or personal life, confirm news by asking: method, circumstances, and exact message before acting.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-katha (Narrative Section: Rama–Sita episode)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rama, newly hopeful, turns to Hanuman with focused questions as the vanara leaders watch.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Rama with bow and serene face turning toward Hanuman in añjali, vanara chiefs behind, flat vibrant colors, temple mural composition, lotus borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Rama seated with halo and gold leaf ornaments, Hanuman kneeling presenting verbal report, rich textiles, embossed gold work, deep red background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework and soft shading, instructional narrative panel: Rama questioning Hanuman, labeled gestures, minimal background with camp setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court-like camp scene, Rama and Lakshmana under canopy, Hanuman speaking, attendants and vanaras, fine foliage and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सीतेति = सीता + इति; रामोऽपि = रामः + अपि; किमुवाच = किम् + उवाच; माम्प्रति = माम् + प्रति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9.24-9.27 (continuation of Hanuman’s report and Rama’s response)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as narrative transmission—Rāma’s inquiry establishes the protocol of a messenger’s report (dūta-vārttā) after locating Sītā.
By embedding Itihāsa material (Ramayana episodes) within a Purāṇic framework, the Agni Purana preserves ethical models—leadership, duty, and communication—alongside its many technical sections, showing its wide encyclopedic scope.
Spiritually, it highlights śraddhā and hope grounded in dharma: Rāma’s joy and careful questioning reflect disciplined action even in crisis, reinforcing the karmic ideal of right conduct guided by truthful information.