Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 2
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
रावणो हन्तुमुद्युक्तः सङ्ग्रामोद्धतराक्षसः रामायाह दशग्रीवो युद्धमेकं तु मन्यते
rāvaṇo hantumudyuktaḥ saṅgrāmoddhatarākṣasaḥ rāmāyāha daśagrīvo yuddhamekaṃ tu manyate
Rāvaṇa, inflamado para a batalha e decidido a matar, esse rākṣasa exaltado pela guerra, disse a Rāma: «Daśagrīva, o de dez pescoços, considera este encontro como uma única batalha decisiva.»
Narrator (Agni Purana narration; dialogue reported: Ravana speaking to Rama)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Understanding the narrative trigger of a decisive duel; used in kathā-recitation to frame the yuddha as a climactic, single-point confrontation and to teach leadership psychology in war.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāvaṇa’s Challenge: ‘One Decisive Battle’","lookup_keywords":["Rāvaṇa","daśagrīva","yuddha","saṅgrāma","Rāma"],"quick_summary":"Rāvaṇa, inflamed by battle-fury, frames the encounter with Rāma as a single decisive engagement. The verse sets the psychological tone of the war: intent to kill and a do-or-die challenge."}
Alamkara Type: Ukti (direct speech) with Vīra-rasa framing
Concept: Adharma-driven valor (raudra-vīrya) contrasts with dharmic heroism; intention (saṅkalpa) shapes action and consequence.
Application: In ethical reflection and discourse: distinguish courage aligned with dharma from aggression driven by ego and violence.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Rama–Ravana Yuddha narrative)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāvaṇa, towering and fierce, addresses Rāma with a warlike vow, framing the coming clash as a single decisive battle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, bold flat colors, ornate jewelry; Daśagrīva Rāvaṇa with multiple heads implied in stylized manner, fierce eyes, speaking to calm Rāma; battlefield horizon, dramatic red-gold palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; frontal Rāvaṇa in regal armor and crown, gesturing in challenge; Rāma serene with bow; rich textile patterns, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate lines and soft shading; dialogue scene with expressive hand gestures, minimal battlefield props, emphasis on facial bhāva (vīra/raudra).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed armor and courtly realism; Rāvaṇa issuing challenge to Rāma, attendants and standards behind, fine landscape and weapon details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हन्तुमुद्युक्तः = हन्तुम् + उद्युक्तः; रामायाह = रामाय + आह; युद्धमेकम् = युद्धम् + एकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-saṅgraha/yuddha-varṇana sections (same khanda sequence around 10.3–10.6)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as an itihāsa-style martial setup, portraying Ravana’s battle-intent and his framing of the conflict as a decisive single combat.
By incorporating Ramayana-derived war narrative alongside other subjects, the Agni Purana models its encyclopedic method—preserving dharma, kingship, and martial ethos through well-known itihāsa episodes in addition to ritual, medicine, and śāstra sections.
The verse highlights the karmic momentum of adharma meeting its consequence: Ravana’s violent resolve and pride in battle foreshadow the moral arc where unrighteous aggression culminates in downfall when opposed by dharmic authority (Rama).