Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 11
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇanam
Description of the Incarnation of Śrī Rāma
धनुरापूरयामास लीलया स बभञ्ज तत् वीर्यशुक्लाञ्च जनकः सीतां कन्यान्त्वयोनिजाम्
dhanurāpūrayāmāsa līlayā sa babhañja tat vīryaśuklāñca janakaḥ sītāṃ kanyāntvayonijām
అతడు లీలగా ధనుస్సుకు జ్యాను ఎక్కించి, అనంతరం దానిని విరిచెను; అప్పుడు జనకుడు వీర్యశుల్కముగా అయోనిజ కన్య సీతను సమర్పించెను।
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana’s account to Sage Vashistha in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Highlights the kṣatriya qualification test (dhanus-parīkṣā) and the social-ritual mechanism of svayaṃvara/śaurya-śulka marriage, linking prowess with dharmic alliance.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śiva-bow feat: Rāma strings and breaks the bow; Sītā given as vīrya-śulka","lookup_keywords":["dhanus-bhaṅga","Janaka","Sītā ayoni-jā","vīrya-śulka","svayaṃvara"],"quick_summary":"Rāma effortlessly strings and breaks the famed bow; Janaka then offers Sītā—described as ayoni-jā—as the bride-prize, framing marriage as a dharmic alliance validated by extraordinary prowess."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic ease: ‘līlayā’)
Weapon Type: Bow (heavy divine/royal bow)
Concept: Śakti subordinated to dharma: extraordinary power is validated when exercised within ritual order and for righteous alliance, not for ego.
Application: Cultivate competence and strength, but deploy it only within ethical constraints and for socially constructive ends.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Sangraha (Rama-katha / genealogical-epic narrative section)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom/Capital
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In Janaka’s assembly, Rāma strings the colossal bow with ease and it snaps; courtiers recoil in awe as Janaka presents Sītā, the ayoni-jā maiden, as the prize of valor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic central Rāma bending a massive bow; stylized sound-wave motif for the snap; Janaka and Sītā to the side with attendants; bold outlines, saturated reds/ochres/greens, expressive wide eyes, ornate jewelry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Rāma with radiant halo holding the broken bow; gold-leaf emphasis on the bow, throne, and ornaments; Sītā in rich silk with gem-studded jewelry; symmetrical court composition with pillars and lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: sequential depiction—stringing, tension, break—within one frame using subtle paneling; fine linework on the bow mechanism and string; calm heroic facial expression of Rāma contrasted with astonished courtiers.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: crowded court scene with nuanced reactions; the bow breaking rendered with dynamic diagonal; Janaka presenting Sītā with attendants holding garlands; intricate textiles, carpets, and architectural arches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धनुरापूरयामास = धनुः + आपूरयामास. वीर्यशुक्लाञ्च = वीर्यशुक्लान् + च. कन्यान्त्वयोनिजाम् = कन्याम् + तु + अयोनिजाम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 5.9–5.10 (arrival and reception); Agni Purana 5.12 (formal marriage)
FAQs
It highlights Dhanurveda-linked prowess: the ability to properly string (āpūrayāmāsa) and handle a heavy ceremonial bow—an embodied test of strength, control, and martial competence used in royal selection contexts.
Alongside rituals and doctrines, the Agni Purana preserves Itihasa material (Rama-katha) and social institutions like svayamvara, showing how martial capability, kingship customs, and epic history are integrated into a single compendium.
The verse frames righteous merit through dharmic marriage selection: valor aligned with dharma leads to auspicious union, while Sītā’s ayonija status underscores divine providence guiding karmic destiny.