Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 10
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
त्रिशीर्षाणं खरं रौद्रं युध्यन्तञ्चैव दूषणम् ययौ सूर्पणखा लङ्कां रावणाग्रे ऽपतद् भुवि
triśīrṣāṇaṃ kharaṃ raudraṃ yudhyantañcaiva dūṣaṇam yayau sūrpaṇakhā laṅkāṃ rāvaṇāgre 'patad bhuvi
భయంకరుడైన ఖరుడు, త్రిశిరసుడు మరియు దూషణుడు యుద్ధంలో నిమగ్నమై ఉండగా చూసి, శూర్పణఖ లంకకు వెళ్లి రావణుని ముందు నేలమీద పడింది.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Shows the messenger/instigator role: Śūrpaṇakhā reports to Rāvaṇa, escalating the narrative toward Sītā-haraṇa.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śūrpaṇakhā’s flight to Laṅkā and prostration before Rāvaṇa","lookup_keywords":["Śūrpaṇakhā","Laṅkā","Rāvaṇa","prostration","Khara Dūṣaṇa Triśiras"],"quick_summary":"Witnessing the battle, Śūrpaṇakhā rushes to Laṅkā and collapses before Rāvaṇa, a narrative hinge that redirects the conflict toward Rāvaṇa’s intervention."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛśya-nāṭyatā (dramatic visuality) with swift scene-shift; bhūmi-patana as expressive gesture
Concept: Saṅga and counsel shape destiny: approaching a tyrannical power for revenge amplifies adharma and suffering.
Application: Choose advisors and refuges wisely; seeking support from adharmic authority worsens outcomes.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Itihasa-narrative within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śūrpaṇakhā arrives in Laṅkā, shaken and wounded, and falls at Rāvaṇa’s feet in the royal court, reporting the battle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Laṅkā palace with stylized pillars, Rāvaṇa enthroned, Śūrpaṇakhā prone on the floor, attendants with fly-whisks, deep reds and greens, intense expressions","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, opulent Laṅkā court with gold-leaf throne and jewelry, Rāvaṇa large and central, Śūrpaṇakhā prostrating, ornate arches and patterned textiles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, elegant court interior, clear narrative: Śūrpaṇakhā’s fall (bhūmi-patana) before Rāvaṇa, subtle depiction of injury, emphasis on gesture and hierarchy","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, richly detailed palace audience scene, Rāvaṇa seated with courtiers, Śūrpaṇakhā collapsed in foreground, architectural perspective, delicate facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: युध्यन्तञ्चैव = युध्यन्तम् + च + एव; रावणाग्रेऽपतद् = रावणाग्रे + अपतत् (avagraha from vowel sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 7.6; Agni Purana 7.8; Agni Purana 7.9
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as Itihāsa-style narrative, describing Śūrpaṇakhā’s flight to Laṅkā and her prostration before Rāvaṇa as a report of the battlefield situation.
By embedding a compressed Ramayana episode, the Agni Purana preserves Itihāsa material alongside its many technical subjects, demonstrating its wide scope—mythic history, ethics, and exemplars of cause-and-effect in action.
The verse underscores karmic consequence through narrative: harmful intent and violent escalation lead to fear, dependence, and submission—Śūrpaṇakhā’s collapse before Rāvaṇa signaling the unfolding results of rākṣasa aggression.