Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 22
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
अविन्ध्यवारितो राजा रथस्थः सबलो ययौ इन्द्रोक्तो मातली रामं रथस्थं प्रचकार तम्
avindhyavārito rājā rathasthaḥ sabalo yayau indrokto mātalī rāmaṃ rathasthaṃ pracakāra tam
พระราชาเสด็จรุดหน้าโดยไร้อุปสรรค ประทับบนรถศึกพร้อมกองกำลัง ครั้นแล้วมาตลีตามพระบัญชาของพระอินทร์ได้อัญเชิญพระรามขึ้นประทับบนรถศึกให้เป็นผู้ประทับรถ
Agni (as narrator of Purāṇic/Itihāsa material, traditionally relayed to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Models righteous leadership and battlefield logistics: chariot deployment, divine alliance (Indra’s support), and the role of a skilled charioteer in war.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Mātali installs Rāma on Indra’s chariot","lookup_keywords":["Mātali","Indra-ratha","Rāma chariot","rathastha","Rāvaṇa-yuddha"],"quick_summary":"Rāma advances unhindered with his forces; Indra’s charioteer Mātali places him on the divine chariot, emphasizing the strategic and symbolic power of proper ratha-support in battle."}
Alamkara Type: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (dynamic action description)
Weapon Type: Chariot (Ratha) as war-platform; implied bow-archery context
Concept: Dharma is supported by cosmic order; rightful action gains timely assistance.
Application: Cultivate preparedness and accept competent support; align strategy with ethical purpose.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Ramayana-katha (Narrative Section: Rama–Ravana War Episode)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma, accompanied by his army, is placed upon Indra’s celestial chariot by Mātali, poised to enter the decisive phase of battle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, Rāma with bow on a radiant celestial chariot, Mātali as charioteer with reins, vanara army behind, Laṅkā battlefield motifs, ornate borders, devotional-war mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf halo and ornaments, Indra’s chariot richly decorated, Rāma enthroned/standing with bow, Mātali guiding, stylized clouds and auspicious motifs, heavy jewelry detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework and soft shading, instructional clarity: chariot structure, reins, warrior stance, Mātali’s posture, battlefield in background, balanced composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed chariot mechanics and textiles, Rāma mounted with bow, Mātali in profile holding reins, troops arranged in ranks, architectural hints of Laṅkā, fine brushwork and naturalistic horses."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अविन्ध्यवारितः = अविन्ध्य-वारितः; इन्द्रोक्तो = इन्द्र-उक्तः; रथस्थः/रथस्थम् = रथ-स्थः/रथ-स्थम्; सबलो = स-बलः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-katha sections on Rāma–Rāvaṇa yuddha; Dhanurveda-oriented battle descriptions nearby
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse records a narrative action—Indra’s charioteer Mātali placing Rāma on the chariot as divine assistance in a war context.
It shows the Agni Purana’s multi-genre scope: alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, it also preserves Itihāsa-style narrative segments (Ramayana material) that transmit dharma, kingship ideals, and divine intervention motifs.
The passage underscores the doctrine that righteous leadership (the dhārmic king) receives divine support; it frames victory as aligned with dharma rather than mere force, encouraging devotion and moral action as causes of auspicious aid.