Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 16
Śrīrāmāvatāra-kathana (Account of the Rāma Incarnation) — Kiṣkindhā Alliance and the Search for Sītā
शतयोजनविस्तीर्णे लवणाब्धौ त्रिकूटके ज्ञात्वा रामं ससुग्रीवं वानराः कथयन्तु वै
śatayojanavistīrṇe lavaṇābdhau trikūṭake jñātvā rāmaṃ sasugrīvaṃ vānarāḥ kathayantu vai
శతయోజన విస్తీర్ణమైన లవణసముద్రంలో త్రికూట పర్వతంలో, సుగ్రీవుడితో కూడిన రాముణ్ణి గుర్తించి వానరులు నిశ్చయంగా వార్తను తెలియజేయాలి.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Geographic-mission briefing: conveys scale (yojana measure), terrain markers (salt ocean, Trikūṭa), and the need for reconnaissance/reporting among allies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Salt ocean of a hundred yojanas; Trikūṭa marker; vānaras to report after recognizing Rāma-Sugrīva alliance","lookup_keywords":["shatayojana","lavana-abdhi","Trikuta","vanara","Sugriva"],"quick_summary":"Defines the mission space—salt ocean of vast width and Trikūṭa as a landmark—and instructs the vānaras to communicate findings after confirming Rāma with Sugrīva."}
Concept: Right action in collective endeavor requires pramāṇa (recognition/verification) and saṃvāda (reporting).
Application: Before executing high-risk tasks, verify alliances and share accurate situational reports to prevent strategic failure.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Katha (Ramayana narrative within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vānaras assembled on a shore facing a vast salt ocean; far away rises Trikūṭa mountain; a leader gestures as if instructing them to report after recognizing Rāma and Sugrīva.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, wide ocean band with stylized waves, distant triple-peaked Trikūṭa, vānaras in dynamic poses, strong outlines and saturated colors, narrative clarity of briefing scene","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold highlights on ocean horizon and mountain contours, vānaras with ornate jewelry, commanding gesture emphasized, decorative borders, monumental sense of distance","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean composition like a tactical tableau: shoreline, measured expanse of sea, labeled landmark-like Trikūṭa, vānaras attentive, soft palette with precise detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic seascape with fine wave patterning, distant mountain rendered with atmospheric perspective, group conference scene with expressive hand gestures, documentary feel"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शतयोजनविस्तीर्णे (समास); लवणाब्धौ = लवण + अब्धौ; ससुग्रीवं = स + सुग्रीवम् (सह-अर्थे).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana section: ocean-crossing deliberation and Hanumān’s leap
FAQs
It conveys practical strategic procedure—recognition/verification of targets and formal reporting by messengers or scouts (vānaras) before action, rather than a ritual injunction.
By embedding Itihāsa (Rāmāyaṇa) material, the Agni Purana preserves geography (Lavaṇābdhi, Trikūṭa), leadership context (Rāma with Sugrīva), and operational guidance (communication and reconnaissance), illustrating its wide scope beyond ritual alone.
The verse highlights dharmic conduct in action—truthful recognition and accurate reporting—supporting righteous decision-making, which is treated in Purāṇic ethics as merit-bearing and conducive to successful, non-deluded action.