Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 73
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
अग्निर् उवाचरामस्तु रावणं हत्वा अयोध्यां प्राप्तवान् द्विज रामोक्तनीत्येन्द्रजितं हतवांल्लक्ष्मणः पुरा
agnir uvācarāmastu rāvaṇaṃ hatvā ayodhyāṃ prāptavān dvija rāmoktanītyendrajitaṃ hatavāṃllakṣmaṇaḥ purā
अग्निरुवाच—द्विज! रामो रावणं हत्वा अयोध्यां प्राप्तवान्। पुरा लक्ष्मणो रामोक्तनीत्या इन्द्रजितं हतवान्।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical-political lesson: victory through righteous leadership and correct strategy; narrative memory used to teach statecraft and disciplined warfare.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāma’s return after Rāvaṇa-vadha; Lakṣmaṇa’s slaying of Indrajit by Rāma-nīti","lookup_keywords":["Rama Ravana vadha","Ayodhya return","Lakshmana Indrajit","Rama-niti","Agni said"],"quick_summary":"Summarizes the post-war outcome and highlights that Indrajit’s defeat came through adherence to Rāma’s strategic counsel—valor guided by nīti."}
Alamkara Type: Itihāsa-saṅgraha (narrative condensation); vīra-kathā style
Weapon Type: Bow (Rāma/Lakṣmaṇa)
Concept: Nīti guided by dharma makes valor effective; rightful victory culminates in restoration of order (return to Ayodhyā).
Application: Leaders teach clear strategy and ethics; warriors act within disciplined counsel rather than impulse.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Katha-Samgraha (Ramayana narrative summary within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Agni narrates to a brāhmaṇa: scenes of Rāma’s victory over Rāvaṇa, Lakṣmaṇa striking down Indrajit following Rāma’s counsel, and the triumphant return to Ayodhyā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural triptych: Agni as radiant sage speaking, Lakṣmaṇa aiming bow at Indrajit amid smoky battlefield, Rāma entering Ayodhyā with attendants; bold colors, divine halos, ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Rāma’s return to Ayodhyā, gold-leaf on crowns and archways, Rāma with bow, Lakṣmaṇa beside, celebratory yet sacred composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting narrative panel with clear sequencing: Rāma instructs Lakṣmaṇa (nīti-upadeśa), then Indrajit’s fall, then Ayodhyā reception; fine linework and gentle palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature courtly rendering of Ayodhyā procession, detailed architecture and textiles; inset vignette of Lakṣmaṇa vs Indrajit, Agni narrating at margin"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अग्निर् = अग्निः (विसर्ग-सन्धि); उवाचरामस्तु = उवाच रामः तु; रामोक्तनीत्येन्द्रजितं = राम-उक्त-नीति-इन्द्रजितम्; हतवांल्लक्ष्मणः = हतवान् लक्ष्मणः (न् + ल → ँल्लेखः/अनुस्वार-लोप-प्रभावः)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rāmāyaṇa-saṅgraha sections (narrative summaries across adjacent chapters)
FAQs
This verse conveys nīti (statecraft/strategy) in an Itihāsa frame: Lakṣmaṇa’s victory over Indrajit is attributed to following Rāma’s instructed tactical method (rāmokta-nīti).
By embedding Itihāsa (Ramayana) narrative alongside other disciplines, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium—preserving ethical exemplars (dharma) and practical governance/strategy (nīti) within a broader encyclopedic text.
It highlights dharma aligned action: the defeat of adharma (Rāvaṇa/Indrajit) and the restoration of righteous order, implying that following righteous counsel and disciplined strategy supports the re-establishment of cosmic and social harmony.