Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 45
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
पितरन्तैलद्रोणिस्थं संस्कृत्य सरयूतटे वशिष्ठाद्यैर् जनैर् उक्तो राज्यं कुर्विति सो ऽब्रवीत्
pitarantailadroṇisthaṃ saṃskṛtya sarayūtaṭe vaśiṣṭhādyair janair ukto rājyaṃ kurviti so 'bravīt
ସରୟୂତଟରେ ତେଲଦ୍ରୋଣୀରେ ରଖାଯାଇଥିବା ପିତାଙ୍କର ବିଧିମତ୍ ଅନ୍ତ୍ୟେଷ୍ଟି-ସଂସ୍କାର କରି, ବଶିଷ୍ଠାଦି ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଅନୁରୋଧରେ ସେ କହିଲା— “ମୁଁ ରାଜ୍ୟ ଶାସନ କରିବି।”
Lord Agni (narrator of Purāṇic summary to a sage; traditional Agni Purana framing)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Guidance on antyeṣṭi (funerary rites), public consent, and legitimate assumption of kingship after a ruler’s death.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Antyeṣṭi on Sarayū bank and accession urged by Vasiṣṭha","lookup_keywords":["antyeṣṭi","Sarayū","Vasiṣṭha","rājya-grahaṇa","taila-droṇī"],"quick_summary":"After completing the father’s funerary rites on the Sarayū, the heir is urged by the royal preceptor and people to accept governance—linking ritual propriety with political legitimacy."}
Concept: Ritual duty (pitṛ-kārya) precedes and legitimizes worldly authority; kingship is accepted as service under dharma, not mere power.
Application: In leadership transitions, complete obligatory rites and accept office through counsel of elders/ācārya and public assent.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Samgraha (Royal lineage and Rajadharma narrative)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the Sarayū riverbank, the heir completes funerary rites for his father (body preserved in an oil-trough), while Vasiṣṭha and elders urge him to accept the throne; the heir responds with composed resolve.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Sarayū riverbank with stylized waves, Vasiṣṭha with matted hair and staff, royal prince in simple garments performing śrāddha offerings, oil-trough near the pyre area, attendants and citizens in respectful poses, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated prince with halo-like arch, Vasiṣṭha blessing gesture, ritual vessels (kalaśa, darbha, piṇḍa), Sarayū indicated by decorative band, gold-leaf highlights on ornaments and borders, solemn courtly setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed ritual scene: prince offering water and piṇḍa at riverbank, priests with darbha and ladles, oil-trough shown clearly, inscriptions-like clarity, soft shading and delicate linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic riverside landscape, small figures: prince and Brahmin sages, oil-trough and ritual items, courtiers in the background, fine textiles and architectural hints of Ayodhyā, subdued mourning palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पितरन्तैलद्रोणिस्थं → पितरम् + तैलद्रोणिस्थम्; वशिष्ठाद्यैर् → वशिष्ठ-आद्यैः; कुर्विति → कुरु + इति; सो ऽब्रवीत् → सः + अब्रवीत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihāsa/Rāmāyaṇa-saṃgraha sections on Bharata’s regency and Rāma’s satya-vrata; Agni Purana dharma/ācāra passages on śrāddha and royal duties (rājadharma)
FAQs
It indicates the completion of funerary observances (saṃskāra/antyeṣṭi-related rites) for a deceased father preserved in an oil-trough, performed on the Sarayū’s bank, before assuming royal duties.
In a single line it links saṃskāra (ritual law and purification) with rājadharma (statecraft and succession), showing how the text integrates household rites, social consensus (jana), and political legitimacy (rājya).
By completing the father’s proper rites before ruling, the heir removes ritual impurity, fulfills filial duty (pitṛ-ṛṇa), and establishes dharmic legitimacy for governance.