Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 5
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇana
Description of the Incarnation of Sri Rama
इन्द्रं जित्वेन्द्रजिच्चाभूद् रावणादधिको बली हतस्त्वया लक्ष्मणेन देवादेः क्षेममिच्छता
indraṃ jitvendrajiccābhūd rāvaṇādadhiko balī hatastvayā lakṣmaṇena devādeḥ kṣemamicchatā
ఇంద్రుని జయించి అతడు ‘ఇంద్రజిత్’ అని ప్రసిద్ధుడయ్యాడు, రావణునికన్నా అధిక బలవంతుడు. అయితే దేవాద్యుడైన ఇంద్రుని క్షేమసురక్ష కోరిన నీవు లక్ష్మణుడు అతనిని సంహరించితివి.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic/Itihāsa material in the Agni Purana tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Highlights the fame-title mechanism (Indrajit) earned through victory, and the dharmic framing of martial action (Lakṣmaṇa’s slaying for deva-kṣema).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Indrajit’s conquest of Indra and his slaying by Lakṣmaṇa for deva-kṣema","lookup_keywords":["Indrajit","Meghanāda","Indra-jaya","Lakṣmaṇa","deva-kṣema"],"quick_summary":"Meghanāda gains the epithet Indrajit by defeating Indra, yet is ultimately slain by Lakṣmaṇa, whose act is framed as securing the welfare of the gods and restoring order."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-nirukti (epithet by deed: Indraṃ jitvā → Indrajit)
Weapon Type: Bow (implied śara-yuddha)
Concept: Even the mightiest, empowered by conquest, is subject to dharmic retribution; righteous warfare is justified by protection of the greater good (kṣema).
Application: Frames leadership decisions: neutralize threats to collective security; keep intention aligned with protection rather than ego.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Ramayana Narration (Ravana–Vadha / Yuddha-kanda themed retelling)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A heroic battle moment: Indrajit famed for defeating Indra, yet facing Lakṣmaṇa who strikes him down for the gods’ welfare; banners, chariots, and celestial witnesses implied.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with dynamic archery duel: Lakṣmaṇa in green-gold attire drawing bow; Indrajit in ornate rākṣasa armor; faint Indra with vajra in background as a narrative emblem; swirling battle clouds, bold outlines, rhythmic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold highlights: central Lakṣmaṇa aiming an arrow; Indrajit staggered; divine aura around the scene indicating deva-kṣema; heavy ornamentation, embossed gold for weapons and halos.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional clarity: two-figure combat composition, clean lines; focus on posture, bow-draw, and arrow trajectory; minimal background with subtle battlefield cues.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature battlefield: detailed chariots, soldiers, and standards; Lakṣmaṇa and Indrajit as focal figures; fine rendering of armor, horses, and landscape; celestial figures in the sky observing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जित्वेन्द्रजित् = जित्वा + इन्द्रजित्; इन्द्रजिच्चाभूत् = इन्द्रजित् + च + अभूत्; रावणादधिको = रावणात् + अधिकः; हतस्त्वया = हतः + त्वया; क्षेममिच्छता = क्षेमम् + इच्छता.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana war-summary passages on Indrajit’s feats and fall
FAQs
No specific ritual/technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as Itihāsa narration highlighting the defeat of Indrajit and the protective intent (kṣema) toward the devas.
It shows the Agni Purana’s compendium-style method: alongside rituals, polity, medicine, and śāstra, it also preserves Itihāsa material (Ramayana episodes) to transmit dharmic exemplars and theological motifs.
The verse frames Lakshmana’s act as deva-kṣema (seeking divine welfare), implying that righteous action aligned with protection of cosmic order (dharma) bears auspicious merit and supports loka-saṅgraha.