Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 12
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
सीताया हरणं पापं कृतन्त्वं हि गुरुर्यतः अतो गच्छामि युद्धाय रामं हन्मि सवानरम्
sītāyā haraṇaṃ pāpaṃ kṛtantvaṃ hi gururyataḥ ato gacchāmi yuddhāya rāmaṃ hanmi savānaram
सीताहरणं पापं; कृतान्तो हि गुरुः कठोरः। अतः युद्धाय गच्छामि—रामं सवानरं हनिष्यामि॥
Rāvaṇa (as quoted within Agni Purana’s Ramayana episode; overall narration traditionally by Agni to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Ethical reflection on adharma (abduction) leading to inevitable punitive consequence; motivates righteous action and accountability in leadership and warfare decisions.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sītā-haraṇa as Pāpa and Kṛtānta as Guru (Inevitable Retribution)","lookup_keywords":["Sītā-haraṇa","pāpa","Kṛtānta","yuddha-niścaya","Rāma-vadha-saṅkalpa"],"quick_summary":"Frames Sītā’s abduction as a moral transgression whose consequence is taught by Kṛtānta (Death) as an inexorable instructor; the speaker resolves to enter battle, showing how adharma drives one toward self-destruction."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa
Concept: Pāpa inevitably ripens into duḥkha; Death (Kṛtānta) functions as the impartial ‘teacher’ of karmaphala.
Application: Use moral foresight in actions; recognize that unethical gains precipitate predictable downfall.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Katha (Ramayana Narrative / Dharma-Karma Reflection)
Primary Rasa: Raudra
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A rākṣasa warrior declares that Sītā’s abduction is sinful and that Kṛtānta teaches through death; he strides toward the battlefield vowing to slay Rāma and the vānaras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Laṅkā battlefield threshold, towering rākṣasa with fierce eyes and ornate crown speaking with raised hand, distant Rāma with bow and vānaras, flat vibrant colors, bold outlines, temple-mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, rākṣasa commander in jeweled attire making a vow, gold-leaf highlights on ornaments and weapons, stylized Laṅkā architecture behind, Rāma and vānaras as smaller narrative vignette, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional narrative panel: rākṣasa speech gesture (mudrā), labeled figures (Rāma, vānaras), delicate linework, soft shading, parchment-like background, emphasis on moral declaration before combat","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet tense scene at Laṅkā ramparts, rākṣasa addressing attendants, calligraphic caption space, detailed textiles and armor, distant battlefield with Rāma’s camp, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गुरुर्यतः → गुरुः + यतः; सवानरम् = स + वानरम् (सह-अर्थे).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihāsa-khaṇḍa: Rāma–Rāvaṇa-yuddha sequence (adjacent verses 10.13–10.16)
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys dharma–karma instruction: abducting another’s wife is pāpa, and Kṛtānta (Death) functions as the inevitable ‘teacher’ through consequence.
By embedding ethical causality and governance-of-action (dharma/adharma and their results) inside an Itihāsa narrative, the Agni Purana teaches practical moral philosophy alongside its many other subjects.
It underscores that grave adharma (such as Sītā-haraṇa) ripens into unavoidable retribution—Death and fate become the correcting force—driving the sinner toward destructive outcomes.