Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 20
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
मायामृगो ऽसौ सौमित्रे यथा त्वमिह चागतः तथा सीता हृता नूनं नापश्यत् स गतो ऽथ ताम्
māyāmṛgo 'sau saumitre yathā tvamiha cāgataḥ tathā sītā hṛtā nūnaṃ nāpaśyat sa gato 'tha tām
ରାମ କହିଲେ—“ହେ ସୌମିତ୍ରି! ସେ ମାୟାମୃଗ ଥିଲା। ତୁମେ ଯେପରି ଏଠାକୁ ଆସିଛ, ସେପରି ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ସୀତା ଅପହୃତ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି। ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ନଦେଖି ପରେ ସେଠାରୁ ଚାଲିଗଲା।”
Lord Agni (narrator) to Sage Vasiṣṭha (frame dialogue of Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Teaches inference from signs (anumana) and recognition of māyā (illusion) to make timely decisions in emergencies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Recognition of māyā and inference of abduction","lookup_keywords":["māyāmṛga","anumana","Saumitri","Sītā-haraṇa","viveka"],"quick_summary":"Rāma identifies the deer as illusion and immediately infers Sītā’s abduction from Lakṣmaṇa’s arrival; correct diagnosis of deception enables swift response."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa (reasoned assertion) / Hetu-based statement; also Dhvani of urgency
Concept: Māyā-viveka and pramāṇa (anumana) as tools to pierce deception
Application: When events deviate from protocol, treat it as a signal; infer likely threats from changed conditions and act without delay
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Upakhyana (Narrative Retelling within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma speaks urgently to Lakṣmaṇa, pointing toward the empty hut/clearing, explaining the deer was illusion and concluding Sītā has been abducted; the forest feels suddenly vacant.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa in animated dialogue, Rāma’s hand indicating absence, stylized forest, heightened eyes and gestures conveying alarm, deep greens and reds","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with ornate crowns and bows, gold-leaf accents, empty space near a cottage to signify Sītā’s absence, dramatic but symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic clarity: Rāma explaining, Lakṣmaṇa attentive, minimal background with hut and footprints/emptiness implied, soft colors and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic forest clearing with a small hut, Rāma gesturing in explanation, Lakṣmaṇa listening, emphasis on negative space indicating abduction, fine detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मृगोऽसौ = मृगः + असौ; त्वमिह = त्वम् + इह; चागतः = च + आगतः; नापश्यत् = न + अपश्यत्; गतोऽथ = गतः + अथ.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 7.16 (māyā trigger); Agni Purāṇa 7.17 (abduction outcome)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as Itihāsa narration highlighting māyā (illusion) as a device leading to Sītā’s abduction.
By embedding a Ramayana retelling, the Agni Purana preserves Itihāsa narrative alongside its many technical sections (ritual, polity, medicine, arts), demonstrating its multi-genre, encyclopedic scope.
It underscores vigilance against māyā and deception: misrecognition and distraction can precipitate dharmic loss, serving as a moral-spiritual warning within the narrative.