Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 3
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
जनस्थाने पञ्चवट्यां स्थितो गोदावरीतटे तत्र सूर्पणखायाता भक्षितुं तान् भयङ्करी
janasthāne pañcavaṭyāṃ sthito godāvarītaṭe tatra sūrpaṇakhāyātā bhakṣituṃ tān bhayaṅkarī
జనస్థానంలో గోదావరి తీరంలోని పంచవటిలో ఆయన నివసిస్తున్నప్పుడు, భయంకరమైన శూర్పణఖ వారిని భక్షించుటకు అక్కడికి వచ్చింది।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana frame-dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Locates the narrative at a specific sacred geography (Godāvarī–Pañcavaṭī) and introduces the impending ethical conflict; useful for tīrtha-identification and story-based moral instruction.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pañcavaṭī at Godāvarī; Śūrpaṇakhā’s approach in Janasthāna","lookup_keywords":["Pañcavaṭī","Janasthāna","Godāvarī","Śūrpaṇakhā","Araṇya-kāṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"Rāma resides at Pañcavaṭī on the Godāvarī in Janasthāna when Śūrpaṇakhā arrives with hostile intent. The verse anchors the episode in a well-known sacred landscape and signals the turn toward conflict."}
Alamkara Type: Deśa-varṇana (setting description) with bhayānaka-bīja
Concept: Even in sacred places, vigilance is required; adharma can intrude, and righteous response must be measured and timely.
Application: Maintain situational awareness and ethical boundaries in vulnerable environments; do not confuse sacred setting with guaranteed safety.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-Katha (Itihasa narrative section within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Type: Tirtha/Riverbank
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A riverside hermitage at Pañcavaṭī on the Godāvarī; Rāma’s camp in the forest; Śūrpaṇakhā approaches, fearsome and predatory, creating a tense contrast with the serene riverbank.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Godāvarī as stylized flowing band, Pañcavaṭī trees prominent, Rāma’s hut and fire, Śūrpaṇakhā depicted with dramatic eyes and fierce posture, bhayānaka mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, luminous river and forest, central hermitage with gold accents, Śūrpaṇakhā entering from side with exaggerated rakṣasī features, strong narrative contrast.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, detailed landscape labeling feel: riverbank, hut, five banyan-like trees, Śūrpaṇakhā approaching; clear storytelling composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic Godāvarī bank with fine foliage, small hermitage architecture, Śūrpaṇakhā emerging from forest shadows, tense but elegant palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: godāvarītaṭe → godāvarī-taṭe (tatpuruṣa).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-khanda: Pañcavaṭī/Janasthāna sequence leading to Sītā-haraṇa
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as Itihāsa narration, setting the scene at Pañcavaṭī on the Godāvarī and introducing Śūrpaṇakhā’s hostile intent.
It shows the Agni Purana’s compendious method: alongside dharma, ritual, polity, and other sciences, it also preserves condensed Itihāsa (Ramayana) narrative with geographic markers (Janasthāna, Godāvarī) and key characters.
As narrative, it underscores the dharmic theme of adversity faced by the righteous in exile; remembering such episodes is traditionally treated as śravaṇa-smaraṇa (hearing/recalling) that supports devotion and moral discernment.