Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 3
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
दृष्ट्वोत्थितञ्च मैनाकं सिंहिकां विनिपात्य च लङ्कां दृष्ट्वा राक्षसानां गृहाणि वनितागृहे
dṛṣṭvotthitañca mainākaṃ siṃhikāṃ vinipātya ca laṅkāṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasānāṃ gṛhāṇi vanitāgṛhe
ସମୁଦ୍ରରୁ ଉଠିଥିବା ମୈନାକକୁ ଦେଖି ଏବଂ ସିଂହିକାକୁ ନିପାତ କରି ସେ ଲଙ୍କାକୁ ଦେଖିଲା; ପରେ ରାକ୍ଷସମାନଙ୍କ ଗୃହ ଓ ଅନ୍ତଃପୁରର ନାରୀଗୃହକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଦର୍ଶନ କଲା।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Epic reconnaissance motif: overcoming obstacles en route, then surveying enemy capital and inner quarters to locate the captive—useful as a narrative template for intelligence-gathering and mission sequencing.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hanumat’s Ocean-Crossing: Maināka, Siṃhikā, and First Sight of Laṅkā","lookup_keywords":["Mainaka","Simhika","Lanka-darshana","Hanuman reconnaissance","rakshasa-griha"],"quick_summary":"The verse compresses the travel-and-obstacle sequence (Maināka’s emergence, Siṃhikā’s defeat) and transitions into systematic visual reconnaissance of Laṅkā, including palace women’s quarters."}
Alamkara Type: Anukrama (sequential narration)
Concept: Steadfastness (dhairya) and single-pointed purpose (ekāgratā) amid temptations and threats.
Application: In any difficult undertaking, acknowledge aids/temptations without losing the goal; remove immediate obstacles, then proceed to systematic assessment.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Hanumat’s Lanka-yanam and reconnaissance)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hanumat flying over the ocean as Maināka rises; Siṃhikā attacked/defeated; distant golden Laṅkā appears; then a stealthy gaze into palace compounds and women’s quarters.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vivid colors, Hanumat mid-flight above stylized waves, Maināka mountain emerging with divine aura, Siṃhikā as a sea-demon below, far-off Laṅkā with ramparts and gateways, ornamental detailing, traditional temple-mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Hanumat with strong outline and jeweled ornaments, gold-leaf highlights on Laṅkā’s palaces, Maināka rising with gilded halo, rich reds and greens, iconic symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, narrative panels: (1) Maināka rising, (2) Siṃhikā subdued, (3) Laṅkā sighted, (4) Hanumat peering into palace quarters; soft shading and instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed seascape with patterned waves, Hanumat in dynamic flight, Siṃhikā rendered as a fantastical creature, Laṅkā as a walled city with domes and terraces, fine architectural perspective and courtly interiors hinted"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दृष्ट्वोत्थितम् = दृष्ट्वा + उत्थितम्; उत्थितञ्च = उत्थितम् + च (अनुस्वार/ञ्-आदेश); वनितागृहे = वनिता-गृहे (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9 (Ramayana-samgraha context: Hanumat’s search in Laṅkā)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as narrative geography and reconnaissance—marking key obstacles (Maināka, Siṃhikā) and the successful sighting of Laṅkā and its inner quarters.
It demonstrates the Agni Purana’s compendious method: alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, it also preserves condensed Itihāsa-style narration—here, a compact Ramayana sequence used for dharmic exempla and cultural memory.
The passage highlights steadfastness in dharmic mission: overcoming obstructive forces (Siṃhikā) and proceeding toward service (search for Sītā), a model of courage, focus, and protection of righteousness.