Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 10
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
त्रिशीर्षाणं खरं रौद्रं युध्यन्तञ्चैव दूषणम् ययौ सूर्पणखा लङ्कां रावणाग्रे ऽपतद् भुवि
triśīrṣāṇaṃ kharaṃ raudraṃ yudhyantañcaiva dūṣaṇam yayau sūrpaṇakhā laṅkāṃ rāvaṇāgre 'patad bhuvi
Увидев, как свирепый Хара — вместе с Тришираcой — и Душана сражаются в битве, Шурпанакха отправилась на Ланку и пала на землю перед Раваной.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Shows the messenger/instigator role: Śūrpaṇakhā reports to Rāvaṇa, escalating the narrative toward Sītā-haraṇa.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śūrpaṇakhā’s flight to Laṅkā and prostration before Rāvaṇa","lookup_keywords":["Śūrpaṇakhā","Laṅkā","Rāvaṇa","prostration","Khara Dūṣaṇa Triśiras"],"quick_summary":"Witnessing the battle, Śūrpaṇakhā rushes to Laṅkā and collapses before Rāvaṇa, a narrative hinge that redirects the conflict toward Rāvaṇa’s intervention."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛśya-nāṭyatā (dramatic visuality) with swift scene-shift; bhūmi-patana as expressive gesture
Concept: Saṅga and counsel shape destiny: approaching a tyrannical power for revenge amplifies adharma and suffering.
Application: Choose advisors and refuges wisely; seeking support from adharmic authority worsens outcomes.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Itihasa-narrative within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śūrpaṇakhā arrives in Laṅkā, shaken and wounded, and falls at Rāvaṇa’s feet in the royal court, reporting the battle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Laṅkā palace with stylized pillars, Rāvaṇa enthroned, Śūrpaṇakhā prone on the floor, attendants with fly-whisks, deep reds and greens, intense expressions","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, opulent Laṅkā court with gold-leaf throne and jewelry, Rāvaṇa large and central, Śūrpaṇakhā prostrating, ornate arches and patterned textiles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, elegant court interior, clear narrative: Śūrpaṇakhā’s fall (bhūmi-patana) before Rāvaṇa, subtle depiction of injury, emphasis on gesture and hierarchy","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, richly detailed palace audience scene, Rāvaṇa seated with courtiers, Śūrpaṇakhā collapsed in foreground, architectural perspective, delicate facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: युध्यन्तञ्चैव = युध्यन्तम् + च + एव; रावणाग्रेऽपतद् = रावणाग्रे + अपतत् (avagraha from vowel sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 7.6; Agni Purana 7.8; Agni Purana 7.9
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as Itihāsa-style narrative, describing Śūrpaṇakhā’s flight to Laṅkā and her prostration before Rāvaṇa as a report of the battlefield situation.
By embedding a compressed Ramayana episode, the Agni Purana preserves Itihāsa material alongside its many technical subjects, demonstrating its wide scope—mythic history, ethics, and exemplars of cause-and-effect in action.
The verse underscores karmic consequence through narrative: harmful intent and violent escalation lead to fear, dependence, and submission—Śūrpaṇakhā’s collapse before Rāvaṇa signaling the unfolding results of rākṣasa aggression.