Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 20
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
हनूमान् धारयामास तत्रागं यत्र संस्थितः निकुम्भिलायां होमादि कुर्वन्तं तं हि लक्ष्मणः
hanūmān dhārayāmāsa tatrāgaṃ yatra saṃsthitaḥ nikumbhilāyāṃ homādi kurvantaṃ taṃ hi lakṣmaṇaḥ
ਹਨੂਮਾਨ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਓਥੇ ਹੀ ਰੋਕਿਆ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਉਹ ਖੜਾ ਸੀ; ਅਤੇ ਨਿਕੁੰਭਿਲਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਮ ਆਦਿ ਕਰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਉਸ ਵੈਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਲਖ਼ਮਣ ਨੇ ਅਵਰੁੱਧ ਕੀਤਾ।
Agni (traditionally narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa dialogue-frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Shows the tactical necessity of interrupting an enemy’s ritual empowerment (homa) and neutralizing them at the locus of their rite (Nikumbhila).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nikumbhila-homa-vighna (Disruption of Indrajit’s rite)","lookup_keywords":["Nikumbhila","homa","Indrajit","Lakshmana","Hanuman restraint"],"quick_summary":"Indrajit’s ritual action is checked at Nikumbhilā; the narrative underscores that rites can function as force-enhancers and thus become strategic targets."}
Weapon Type: Restraint/close engagement; implied archery by Lakshmana
Concept: Adharma may weaponize ritual; dharmic action may require stopping harmful rites.
Application: Discern intent behind ritual power and prevent its misuse; prioritize protection of innocents over formalities.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Raksasa-vadha / Lanka-yuddha narrative)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Sacred grove/ritual site
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Nikumbhilā, Indrajit performs homa near a fire-altar; Hanuman restrains/blocks him while Lakshmana advances to stop the rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: glowing homa fire in a square kunda, Indrajit in ritual garb with ladle, Hanuman gripping or blocking him, Lakshmana with bow entering the ritual grove, stylized trees and flames","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-embellished fire altar, Indrajit with ritual implements, Lakshmana radiant with halo, Hanuman powerful stance, ornate temple-like framing around the yaga scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional clarity of homa setup—kunda, samidha, ajya ladle—while showing interruption; balanced composition with readable ritual objects","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed ritual paraphernalia, smoky fire, tense moment of interruption, lush garden setting of Nikumbhila, expressive faces and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्रागं=तत्र+अगम्; होमादि=होम+आदि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 10.18 (Indrajit’s maya); Agni Purana 10.21 (Indrajit’s defeat)
FAQs
It references homa (fire-offering) and associated rites (homādi), indicating a ritual operation whose completion is strategically significant and therefore targeted for interruption.
Alongside ritual and doctrinal material, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves epic narrative (Ramāyaṇa-linked) where ritual practice (homa) intersects with military action—showing how Purāṇas integrate liturgy, place-traditions (Nikumbhilā), and statecraft/war episodes.
The verse highlights that ritual acts like homa are believed to generate potency (siddhi/śakti) for the performer; preventing an unrighteous or hostile rite is framed as protective dharma, averting harmful ritual consequences.