Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 4
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇana
Description of the Incarnation of Sri Rama
कुम्भकर्णः सनिद्रो ऽभूद् धर्मिष्ठो ऽभूद्विभीषणः स्वसा शूर्पणखा तेषां रावणान्मेघनादकः
kumbhakarṇaḥ sanidro 'bhūd dharmiṣṭho 'bhūdvibhīṣaṇaḥ svasā śūrpaṇakhā teṣāṃ rāvaṇānmeghanādakaḥ
కుంభకర్ణుడు ఎల్లప్పుడూ నిద్రావశుడై ఉండెను; విభీషణుడు ధర్మనిష్ఠుడై ఉండెను; వారి సోదరి శూర్పణఖ; మరియు రావణుని నుండి మేఘనాదుడు జన్మించాడు.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Quick-reference character map of key rākṣasa figures (traits and relations) for Ramayana narration and teaching.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rāvaṇa’s kin: Kumbhakarṇa, Vibhīṣaṇa, Śūrpaṇakhā, Meghanāda","lookup_keywords":["Kumbhakarṇa","Vibhīṣaṇa","Śūrpaṇakhā","Meghanāda","rākṣasa genealogy"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates principal members of Rāvaṇa’s family with defining traits: Kumbhakarṇa’s sleep, Vibhīṣaṇa’s righteousness, Śūrpaṇakhā as sister, and Meghanāda as Rāvaṇa’s son."}
Alamkara Type: Guṇa-nirdeśa (character trait epithet)
Concept: Dharma can manifest even within an adharmic lineage (Vibhīṣaṇa as dharmiṣṭha among rākṣasas).
Application: Encourages discernment: judge by conduct (dharma) rather than birth-group; uphold righteous counsel even in hostile environments.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Sankshepa (Genealogy and key figures in the Ramayana narrative)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Bībhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compact tableau of Rāvaṇa’s family: Kumbhakarṇa shown massive and drowsy; Vibhīṣaṇa standing composed and righteous; Śūrpaṇakhā fierce; Meghanāda as a young warrior prince.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural narrative panel with four figures: sleeping giant Kumbhakarṇa reclining; Vibhīṣaṇa upright with serene face and folded hands; Śūrpaṇakhā with sharp features and dynamic pose; Meghanāda armored with bow; saturated colors, bold outlines, ornamental detailing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore icon-like grouping with gold halos and heavy jewelry; Vibhīṣaṇa in devotional posture; Kumbhakarṇa seated heavy-lidded; Śūrpaṇakhā fierce; Meghanāda holding bow; rich gold work and embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting with fine linework; labeled-style clarity: each character distinct with minimal background; gentle shading; emphasis on facial expression (sleepy, righteous, fierce, heroic).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature courtly composition: four figures arranged in a palace courtyard; textiles and weapons finely rendered; Kumbhakarṇa’s scale exaggerated; Vibhīṣaṇa calm; Śūrpaṇakhā animated; Meghanāda poised as prince-warrior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सनिद्रोऽभूत् = स-निद्रः + अभूत्; धर्मिष्ठोऽभूत् = धर्मिष्ठः + अभूत्; अभूद्विभीषणः = अभूत् + विभीषणः; रावणान्मेघनादकः = रावणात् + मेघनादकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-saṅkṣepa passages on Indrajit/Meghanāda and the Laṅkā war
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as an itihāsa-style index, identifying key Rākṣasa figures and their defining traits.
It exemplifies the Purana’s compendium method: compressing major epics into searchable name-lists and attributes, enabling quick reference across dharma, genealogy, and narrative history.
By contrasting traits—sleep-bound Kumbhakarṇa versus dharma-aligned Vibhīṣaṇa—the verse underscores that moral orientation (dharma) determines spiritual worth, regardless of birth or clan.