Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 8
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
रामो ऽस्य लक्ष्मणः पुत्रौ वनवासङ्गतौ वरौ रामपत्नी जानकी त्वं रावणेन हृता बलात्
rāmo 'sya lakṣmaṇaḥ putrau vanavāsaṅgatau varau rāmapatnī jānakī tvaṃ rāvaṇena hṛtā balāt
ରାମ ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ଭ୍ରାତା ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମଣ—ସେଇ ଦୁଇ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ରାଜକୁମାର—ବନବାସକୁ ଗଲେ; ଏବଂ ତୁମେ, ରାମପତ୍ନୀ ଜାନକୀ, ରାବଣ ଦ୍ୱାରା ବଳପୂର୍ବକ ହୃତା ହେଲ।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic/Itihāsa material to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Narrative recall of the Ramayana used for dharma-teaching: ideals of duty (forest-exile), marital fidelity, and the ethical urgency of rescue.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sita-harana and Rama–Lakshmana Vanavasa (Ramayana synopsis)","lookup_keywords":["vanavasa","sita-harana","ravana","rama-lakshmana","janaki"],"quick_summary":"States the core crisis of the Ramayana: Rama and Lakshmana are in forest-exile and Sita has been abducted by Ravana. Serves as the narrative premise for later diplomacy, search, and war."}
Alamkara Type: Anukrama (narrative compression)
Concept: Dharma tested through adversity: exile, protection of spouse, and confronting adharma.
Application: Use the episode to teach steadfastness in vows, protection of dependents, and timely action against injustice.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Samgraha (Ramayana narrative synopsis)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Forest/Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compressed tableau: Rama and Lakshmana in ascetic forest attire, while Sita is shown being seized and carried away by Ravana toward Lanka, conveying separation and urgency.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, stylized forest with lotus ponds; Rama and Lakshmana in bark garments with bows, Sita in red-gold sari, Ravana in regal demon-king form carrying Sita; dramatic but sacred composition, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; central vignette of Sita-harana with Ravana’s ornate crown and jewelry, Sita’s halo-like prabhavali, Rama-Lakshmana in a side panel in vanavasa attire; rich reds and greens, embossed gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework and soft shading; narrative split-scene: left—Rama and Lakshmana walking in forest exile; right—Ravana abducting Sita; emphasis on facial expressions of shock and resolve","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape and architecture; Ravana’s aerial chariot implied, Sita abducted; Rama and Lakshmana in a wooded foreground; fine textiles, naturalistic trees, subdued palette with precise detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Raga Shubhapantuvarali (for pathos) or Raga Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रामोऽस्य = रामः + अस्य; वनवासङ्गतौ = वनवास + गतौ; अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-सन्धि न्यूनम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihasa-samgraha sections on Ramayana and Mahabharata synopses; Agni Purana chapters on dharma of kings (raja-dharma) as contextual frame for Rama’s conduct
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as Itihāsa-samgraha, concisely stating the Ramayana situation—Rama and Lakshmana’s forest exile and Sita’s forcible abduction by Ravana.
By embedding a compressed Ramayana narrative inside a Purana, it demonstrates the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic method: it preserves dharma-oriented history (Itihāsa) alongside other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics), giving readers a cross-disciplinary compendium.
The verse underscores dharma under adversity: exile and wrongful abduction become the moral backdrop for righteous conduct, patience, and the eventual restoration of order—key karmic themes repeatedly used in Purāṇic instruction.