Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 25
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
सीतां दृष्ट्वा पुरीं दग्ध्वा सीतामणिं गृहाण वै हत्वा त्वं रावणं सीतां प्राप्स्यसे राम मा शुच
sītāṃ dṛṣṭvā purīṃ dagdhvā sītāmaṇiṃ gṛhāṇa vai hatvā tvaṃ rāvaṇaṃ sītāṃ prāpsyase rāma mā śuca
సీతను చూసి, నగరాన్ని దహనం చేసి, తప్పక సీతామణిని తీసుకో. రావణుణ్ని సంహరించిన తరువాత నీవు సీతను పొందుతావు, ఓ రామా—విషాదపడకు.
Lord Agni (narrating the Ramayana episode in summary form, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Encapsulates mission debrief: confirm objective, secure proof (token), execute strategic pressure (burning enemy city), and reassure the commander with outcome-focused counsel.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Hanuman’s mission outcomes: sighting, city-burning, token retrieval, assurance of victory","lookup_keywords":["burn Lanka","Sita jewel","Hanuman counsel","Ravana slaying","do not grieve"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists key deliverables of the envoy’s mission—contact, disruption, evidence, and morale-building assurance—framing a compact operational checklist."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (repetition of ‘Sita’ for emphasis)
Weapon Type: Agni (incendiary destruction as tactic)
Concept: Kārya-siddhi through courage and right counsel; grief is countered by purposeful action.
Application: When facing loss, secure evidence, plan decisive steps, and accept supportive counsel to prevent paralysis by sorrow.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Samgraha (Ramayana Narrative / Raghava-katha)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hanuman advises Rama: he has seen Sita, burned Lanka, and presents Sita’s jewel as proof, urging Rama not to grieve and to slay Ravana.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Hanuman holding a jewel in palm, stylized flames of Lanka in background, Rama attentive with bow, strong reds and ochres, temple mural framing","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, jewel rendered with bright gem inlay effect, Rama and Hanuman central with gold leaf halos, miniature burning city vignette in corner, ornate pillars","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, didactic composition: Hanuman pointing to jewel, small inset of Lanka burning, Rama’s resolved expression, clean outlines and soft washes","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, camp council scene with vanara leaders, Hanuman presenting jewel, distant city with smoke, intricate architecture and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सीतामणिं = सीता + मणिम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9.26 (Rama receives the jewel)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; it conveys strategic reassurance in the Ramayana episode—Hanumān’s confirmation of Sītā’s safety and the token (jewel) as proof for Rāma.
It illustrates the Agni Purana’s compendious method: alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, it also preserves condensed Itihāsa narrative (Ramayana) as cultural and ethical instruction.
The verse emphasizes dharma-driven resolve: grief is to be replaced by steadfast action against adharma (Rāvaṇa), with faith in eventual restoration and righteous victory.