Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 5
Śrīrāmāvatāra-kathana (Account of the Rāma Incarnation) — Kiṣkindhā Alliance and the Search for Sītā
तच् छ्रुत्वा माल्यवत्पृष्ठे चातुर्मास्यं चकार सः किष्किन्धायाञ्च सुग्रीवो यदा नायाति दर्शनं
tac chrutvā mālyavatpṛṣṭhe cāturmāsyaṃ cakāra saḥ kiṣkindhāyāñca sugrīvo yadā nāyāti darśanaṃ
அதை கேட்ட அவர் மால்யவத் மலையின் சரிவுகளில் தங்கி சாத்துர்மாஸ்ய விரதத்தை அனுஷ்டித்தார்; ஏனெனில் கிஷ்கிந்தையில் சுக்ரீவன் தரிசனத்திற்கு வரவில்லை।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha, in the typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Observance of Cāturmāsya (seasonal restraint) and disciplined waiting; managing delay and uncertainty through vrata and patience.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rama observes Cāturmāsya on Mālyavat while awaiting Sugriva","lookup_keywords":["Malyavat","Caturmasya","vrata","Rama waiting","Kishkindha"],"quick_summary":"Rama stays on Mālyavat’s slopes and undertakes the four-month observance while Sugriva delays. The passage links seasonal vows with steadiness during postponement."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Alamkara Type: Desha-kala-varnana (setting through place/time)
Concept: Kāla-jñāna and dhairya (knowing the right season/time and maintaining patience through observance).
Application: When action is blocked, adopt structured discipline (vrata/routine) rather than agitation; use time to consolidate strength and clarity.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-katha (Ramayana Narrative / Kishkindha-kanda Episode)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rama resides on Mālyavat’s hillside during the rainy-season months, composed and restrained, while Kishkindha lies in the distance and Sugriva’s absence is felt.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Rama seated in calm posture on a green hill with monsoon clouds, Lakshmana nearby, distant Kishkindha hinted, stylized rain motifs, serene palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Rama in contemplative seated pose with gold detailing, hillock and stylized clouds, symbolic depiction of four months (four lotuses or seasonal emblems), devotional calm","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate lines, Rama practicing restraint (simple seat, prayer beads or calm hand gesture), soft monsoon background, emphasis on quiet discipline","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic monsoon landscape on Mālyavat, Rama and Lakshmana under a tree or rock shelter, distant city/forest, fine rain-cloud rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Megh Malhar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तच् छ्रुत्वा → तत् श्रुत्वा; किष्किन्धायाञ्च → किष्किन्धायाम् च; नायाति → न आयाति।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 8 (Rama-katha: waiting before mobilizing vanaras)
FAQs
It references the Cāturmāsya vrata—undertaking a regulated four-month religious observance (typically during the rainy season) as a disciplined dharmic practice while waiting or remaining stationed in one place.
Alongside ritual and doctrinal material, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves Itihāsa-style narrative (here, a Rāmāyaṇa episode), using story to contextualize and transmit dharma practices like vratas (vowed observances).
The verse highlights patience, restraint, and vow-based discipline: observing Cāturmāsya is presented as a meritorious dharmic response—maintaining spiritual steadiness rather than acting impulsively when expectations (like Sugrīva’s arrival) are unmet.