Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 13
Śrīrāmāvatāra-kathana (Account of the Rāma Incarnation) — Kiṣkindhā Alliance and the Search for Sītā
सीतार्थे यो ऽत्यजत् प्राणान् रावणेन हतो रणे तच् छ्रुत्वा प्राह सम्पातिर् विहाय कपिभक्षणं
sītārthe yo 'tyajat prāṇān rāvaṇena hato raṇe tac chrutvā prāha sampātir vihāya kapibhakṣaṇaṃ
«Ao ouvir que alguém entregara a vida por Sītā e fora morto em combate por Rāvaṇa, Sampāti falou—tendo abandonado o hábito de comer macacos.»
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic account to Vasiṣṭha; internal action: Sampāti speaks upon hearing the news)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Moral transformation through hearing dharmic sacrifice; shifting from predatory habit to alliance and guidance (Sampati’s change).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sampati renounces eating monkeys upon hearing of Jatayu’s sacrifice for Sita","lookup_keywords":["Sampati","Jatayu sacrifice","Ravana battle","renunciation","kapibhakshana"],"quick_summary":"Hearing of a noble death for dharma can reform conduct; Sampati’s renunciation becomes the turning point enabling help to the searchers."}
Alamkara Type: Parivritti/Parinama (transformation)
Concept: Shravana-janya parivartana: hearing of dharmic heroism awakens conscience and redirects harmful conduct.
Application: Use exemplars and truthful narratives to reform behavior; convert conflict into cooperation through ethical appeal.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Prasanga (Narrative Episode: Ramayana-related account)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sampati, moved by news of Jatayu dying for Sita at Ravana’s hands, stops preying on monkeys and addresses them with changed heart.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: large vulture Sampati on a rocky ledge, wings partly folded, expression softened; vanaras below; a small narrative inset of Jatayu vs Ravana; bold outlines and temple-mural ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Sampati with gold-highlighted feathers, repentant posture; vanaras gathered; inset medallion showing Jatayu’s battle; rich gold borders emphasizing moral transformation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle palette, fine detailing; Sampati turning away from a symbolic ‘prey’ gesture, raising a wing as if to speak; vanaras attentive; background vignette of the reported battle.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: rocky landscape with Sampati perched; expressive faces of vanaras; subtle narrative cartouche of Jatayu’s death in battle; refined feather textures and naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bageshri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yo 'tyajat = यः + अत्यजत्; tac chrutvā = तत् + श्रुत्वा (tacchrutvā); sampātir = सम्पातिः (visarga before consonant); kapibhakṣaṇam = कपि + भक्षणम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 8.12; Agni Purana 8.11
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse conveys an ethical pivot—Sampāti gives up kapibhakṣaṇa (eating monkeys) upon hearing of a noble death for Sītā, highlighting moral transformation through śravaṇa (hearing).
It shows the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic scope by embedding Itihāsa (Ramāyaṇa-linked) narratives alongside other disciplines, using story to transmit dharma, character change, and exemplary conduct.
Abandoning harmful consumption (kapibhakṣaṇa) signifies prāyaścitta-like moral restraint; it implies purification through remorse and a turn toward compassion, shaping future karma through corrected conduct.