Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 21
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
शुशोच विललापार्तो मान्त्यक्त्वा क्व गतासि वै लक्ष्मणाश्वासितो रामो मार्गयामास जानकीम्
śuśoca vilalāpārto māntyaktvā kva gatāsi vai lakṣmaṇāśvāsito rāmo mārgayāmāsa jānakīm
ਸ਼ੋਕ ਨਾਲ ਆਰਤ ਰਾਮ ਵਿਲਾਪ ਕਰਨ ਲੱਗੇ—“ਮੈਨੂੰ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਤੂੰ ਸੱਚਮੁੱਚ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਚਲੀ ਗਈ?” ਫਿਰ ਲਕਸ਼ਮਣ ਦੀ ਸਾਂਤਵਨਾ ਨਾਲ ਰਾਮ ਜਾਨਕੀ ਦੀ ਖੋਜ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੱਗ ਪਏ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Understanding dharmic resilience in separation (viraha) and the disciplined shift from grief to purposeful action with supportive counsel (Lakshmana).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rama’s Viraha and Search for Janaki","lookup_keywords":["viraha","Janaki-anveshana","Lakshmana-ashvasana","shoka","Ramayana episode"],"quick_summary":"The verse depicts Rama’s grief at Sita’s loss and his recovery through Lakshmana’s reassurance, leading to active search—an archetype of moving from lament to dharmic effort."}
Alamkara Type: Karuna-rasa-pradhana varṇana (śoka-vilāpa)
Concept: Śoka is natural, but dharmic agency must follow; wise companionship steadies the mind (sattva) toward right action.
Application: In crisis, allow emotion but accept counsel, then act methodically toward the goal rather than remaining in paralysis.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-Charita (Itihasa-katha within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rama, overwhelmed with sorrow, laments Sita’s absence while Lakshmana stands close, consoling him; the forest path suggests the beginning of the search.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, forest of Dandaka, Rama with bow lowered, tearful eyes, Lakshmana gently gesturing reassurance, rich earthy greens and reds, stylized foliage, temple-mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Rama and Lakshmana with ornate crowns and jewelry, Rama in sorrowful posture, gold-leaf halo work, minimal forest backdrop, devotional yet emotional expression","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, subdued palette, Rama seated or standing with bowed head, Lakshmana advising with calm hand gesture, detailed forest plants, narrative clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic forest landscape, Rama lamenting with expressive face, Lakshmana consoling, fine textiles, detailed trees and path, intimate emotional scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: māntyaktvā → mā + antyaktvā (interpreted as mā + an-tyaktvā ‘not having abandoned’); gatāsi → gatā + asi; lakṣmaṇāśvāsito → lakṣmaṇa-āśvāsitaḥ; rāmo → rāmaḥ (before voiced consonant); vilalāpārto → vilalāpa + ārtaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-Charita sequence around 7.20–7.23; Agni Purana 8.1 (Pampa, Sugriva alliance as continuation)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidya is taught here; the verse conveys the emotional and narrative moment of Rama’s grief and the commencement of Sita’s search, with Lakshmana providing reassurance.
It shows the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope by incorporating Itihasa material (Ramayana episodes) alongside its many technical sections (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics), preserving dharmic exemplars through narrative.
It highlights steadfastness in dharma amid sorrow: Rama’s grief is acknowledged, yet he resumes purposeful action, supported by Lakshmana—modeling self-control, duty, and righteous perseverance.