Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 2
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
रावणो हन्तुमुद्युक्तः सङ्ग्रामोद्धतराक्षसः रामायाह दशग्रीवो युद्धमेकं तु मन्यते
rāvaṇo hantumudyuktaḥ saṅgrāmoddhatarākṣasaḥ rāmāyāha daśagrīvo yuddhamekaṃ tu manyate
போரால் உந்தப்பட்டு கொல்லத் துணிந்த ராவணன் ராமனிடம் கூறினான்—தசக்ரீவன் இந்த மோதலை ஒரே தீர்மானப் போராகக் கருதுகிறான்।
Narrator (Agni Purana narration; dialogue reported: Ravana speaking to Rama)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Understanding the narrative trigger of a decisive duel; used in kathā-recitation to frame the yuddha as a climactic, single-point confrontation and to teach leadership psychology in war.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāvaṇa’s Challenge: ‘One Decisive Battle’","lookup_keywords":["Rāvaṇa","daśagrīva","yuddha","saṅgrāma","Rāma"],"quick_summary":"Rāvaṇa, inflamed by battle-fury, frames the encounter with Rāma as a single decisive engagement. The verse sets the psychological tone of the war: intent to kill and a do-or-die challenge."}
Alamkara Type: Ukti (direct speech) with Vīra-rasa framing
Concept: Adharma-driven valor (raudra-vīrya) contrasts with dharmic heroism; intention (saṅkalpa) shapes action and consequence.
Application: In ethical reflection and discourse: distinguish courage aligned with dharma from aggression driven by ego and violence.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Rama–Ravana Yuddha narrative)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāvaṇa, towering and fierce, addresses Rāma with a warlike vow, framing the coming clash as a single decisive battle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, bold flat colors, ornate jewelry; Daśagrīva Rāvaṇa with multiple heads implied in stylized manner, fierce eyes, speaking to calm Rāma; battlefield horizon, dramatic red-gold palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; frontal Rāvaṇa in regal armor and crown, gesturing in challenge; Rāma serene with bow; rich textile patterns, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate lines and soft shading; dialogue scene with expressive hand gestures, minimal battlefield props, emphasis on facial bhāva (vīra/raudra).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed armor and courtly realism; Rāvaṇa issuing challenge to Rāma, attendants and standards behind, fine landscape and weapon details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हन्तुमुद्युक्तः = हन्तुम् + उद्युक्तः; रामायाह = रामाय + आह; युद्धमेकम् = युद्धम् + एकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-saṅgraha/yuddha-varṇana sections (same khanda sequence around 10.3–10.6)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as an itihāsa-style martial setup, portraying Ravana’s battle-intent and his framing of the conflict as a decisive single combat.
By incorporating Ramayana-derived war narrative alongside other subjects, the Agni Purana models its encyclopedic method—preserving dharma, kingship, and martial ethos through well-known itihāsa episodes in addition to ritual, medicine, and śāstra sections.
The verse highlights the karmic momentum of adharma meeting its consequence: Ravana’s violent resolve and pride in battle foreshadow the moral arc where unrighteous aggression culminates in downfall when opposed by dharmic authority (Rama).