Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 8
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
खरस्तथेति तामुक्त्वा चतुर्दशसहस्रकैः रक्षसां दूषणेनागाद् योद्धुं त्रिशिरसा सह
kharastatheti tāmuktvā caturdaśasahasrakaiḥ rakṣasāṃ dūṣaṇenāgād yoddhuṃ triśirasā saha
ਖਰ ਨੇ ਉਸਨੂੰ 'ਅਜਿਹਾ ਹੀ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ' ਕਿਹਾ ਅਤੇ ਦੂਸ਼ਣ, ਤ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਿਰਾ ਅਤੇ ਚੌਦਾਂ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਰਾਕਸ਼ਸਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਲੜਨ ਲਈ ਰਵਾਨਾ ਹੋਇਆ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha) [contextual attribution for Agni Purana narration]
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Narrative of mobilization: illustrates leadership response, force composition, and named commanders—useful for itihāsa recitation and martial-ethos study.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Khara’s sortie with Dūṣaṇa, Triśiras, and 14,000 rākṣasas","lookup_keywords":["Khara","Dūṣaṇa","Triśiras","fourteen thousand","march to battle"],"quick_summary":"Khara consents and marches to battle with key lieutenants and a large rākṣasa host, marking the formal commencement of the Khara-yuddha."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (numerical specification) and nāma-grahaṇa (naming) for epic vividness
Concept: Consequences of adharma-led leadership: large force does not ensure victory against dharma-protected hero.
Application: In governance/strategy, assess righteousness, morale, and opponent capability—not merely numbers.
Khanda Section: Rama-Avatara / Ramayana-katha (Narrative Itihasa within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Khara departs for battle with Dūṣaṇa, Triśiras, and a vast rākṣasa army, banners and weapons raised, forest paths crowded with troops.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, panoramic procession through stylized forest, Khara leading with Dūṣaṇa and Triśiras, rows of rākṣasas, bold outlines, rhythmic repetition of figures, war drums implied","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, grand martial procession with gold accents on armor and banners, central Khara on a decorated mount or chariot, attendants and troops in symmetrical tiers","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: labeled commanders, orderly ranks, emphasis on count and hierarchy, soft colors, detailed weapons and standards","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dense composition of marching troops, detailed textiles and weaponry, commanders distinguished by headgear, forest landscape with depth and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: खरस्तथेति = खरः + तथा + इति; दूषणेनागाद् = दूषणेन + अगात्; लक्ष्मणोऽनुजः-वत्: vowel sandhi/avagraha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 7.9; Agni Purana 7.10
FAQs
This verse is narrative (Itihasa) rather than a ritual or technical vidyā; it records the mobilization for combat—Khara departing with a defined force (14,000) and key commanders (Dūṣaṇa, Triśiras).
Alongside ritual, law, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana preserves Itihasa-style Rama-kathā material; this verse exemplifies its inclusion of epic narrative and martial context (army leadership and campaign movement) within a broader compendium.
The verse underscores the karmic trajectory of adharmic aggression: hostile intent and collective violence initiated by rākṣasas becomes the immediate cause for their downfall in the Rama narrative arc.