Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 27
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
त्वया वने तु वस्तव्यं कैकेयीभरतो नृपः पितरञ्चैव कैकेयीं नमस्कृत्य प्रदक्षिणं
tvayā vane tu vastavyaṃ kaikeyībharato nṛpaḥ pitarañcaiva kaikeyīṃ namaskṛtya pradakṣiṇaṃ
«Тебе надлежит жить в лесу. О царь, Бхарата вместе с Кайкейи, поклонившись отцу и Кайкейи, должен затем почтительно обойти их кругом (прадакшина).»
Lord Agni (narrator) to Vasiṣṭha (frame narration typical of Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Protocol of exile and courtly obedience: instructs respectful leave-taking (namaskara, pradakshina) even amid injustice, preserving social order and filial duty.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Exile injunction and respectful circumambulation (pradakshina)","lookup_keywords":["vana-vas","pradakshina","namaskara","pitr-bhakti","rajya-tyaga"],"quick_summary":"Gives a behavioral procedure for a prince ordered to forest-dwelling: offer obeisance to elders and perform pradakshina—ritualizing restraint and dignity in crisis."}
Alamkara Type: Vakrokti (indirect ethical force)
Concept: Acceptance and restraint: honoring elders and maintaining ritual propriety even when personally wronged.
Application: In conflict, preserve civility and duty-bound conduct; use ritualized closure (farewell, respect) to prevent escalation.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Upakhyana (Rama narrative / royal duty and exile instruction)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal leave-taking: the prince is instructed to dwell in the forest; Bharata and Kaikeyi (or the prince) bow to the father and Kaikeyi and perform pradakshina in the palace chamber.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular motion emphasized: figures performing pradakshina around seated elders, stylized floor patterns forming a mandala-like ring, lamps and palace pillars, calm faces with undertone of sorrow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed arch, elders seated on throne, figures mid-circumambulation, rich textiles, halos for royal figures, emphasis on ritual gesture and symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of namaskara and pradakshina steps, delicate lines, minimal background, didactic composition showing respectful protocol.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace interior with perspective, figures moving in a circle, attendants holding fly-whisks, detailed carpets, restrained emotion, precise ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पितरञ्चैव = पितरम् + च + एव. कैकेयीभरतो = कैकेयी + भरतः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 6.28 (departure with Sita and Lakshmana); Agni Purana 6.29 (charity before leaving)
FAQs
It prescribes proper dharmic etiquette: offering namaskāra (obeisance) and performing pradakṣiṇā (reverential circumambulation), actions treated as formal markers of respect and auspicious conduct.
Alongside ritual and technical chapters, the text preserves ethical and social protocols—here, norms of royal obedience, family hierarchy, and auspicious gestures—showing how narrative sections encode practical dharma and conduct.
Bowing and pradakṣiṇā toward elders are merit-producing acts (puṇya) that cultivate humility and right order (dharma), framing exile not merely as hardship but as disciplined, sanctifying obedience.