Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 7
रामं सम्प्रेषयामास लक्ष्मणं मुनिना सह रामो गतो ऽस्त्रशस्त्राणि शिक्षितस्ताडकान्तकृत्
rāmaṃ sampreṣayāmāsa lakṣmaṇaṃ muninā saha rāmo gato 'straśastrāṇi śikṣitastāḍakāntakṛt
พระองค์ทรงส่งพระรามพร้อมพระลักษมณ์ไปกับฤๅษี; พระรามเสด็จไป ได้รับการฝึกอาวุธและศัสตราวุธ จึงเป็นผู้ปราบนางตาฑกา.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana to Vasiṣṭha in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Frames ideal martial training under a guru (rishi) and its ethical deployment: weapons are learned for protecting yajna and removing violent threats (Tāḍakā).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rama’s dispatch with Lakshmana and training in astra-śastra; slaying of Tāḍakā","lookup_keywords":["astra-shastra shiksha","Vishvamitra","Lakshmana","Tadaka-vadha","yajna-raksha"],"quick_summary":"The verse records Rama’s accompaniment with Lakshmana and the sage, his training in missiles and weapons, and the first major protective act—Tāḍakā’s defeat."}
Alamkara Type: Kriya-vishesha (action-focused narration)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows; astras (missile-weapons) and śastras (hand-weapons) in general
Concept: Kshatriya power is legitimate when guided by rishi-wisdom and used to protect sacred order.
Application: Ethics of force: training + authorization + protective intent as criteria for righteous combat.
Khanda Section: Avatara-Charita (Rama-katha / Itihasa-sankalana)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vishvamitra leads Rama and Lakshmana through a forest; Rama holds bow, poised; Tāḍakā appears as a fierce rakshasi; the moment of decisive strike is shown.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dense stylized forest, Vishvamitra in front with staff, Rama youthful with bow drawn, Lakshmana alert, Tāḍakā as formidable rakshasi with dramatic posture, bold colors and strong outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, heroic Rama with gold halo and ornate jewelry, bow drawn toward Tāḍakā, Lakshmana beside, Vishvamitra blessing gesture, gold embossing on weapons and ornaments, rich background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: depict archery stance, quiver placement, rishi-guru presence, forest setting; fine lines, soft colors, minimal but precise action","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed woodland with animals and foliage, dynamic chase/encounter, Rama aiming arrow, Tāḍakā recoiling, Vishvamitra calm, intricate textiles and weapon details"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गतो ऽस्त्रशस्त्राणि → गतः + अस्त्र-शस्त्राणि; शिक्षितस्ताडकान्तकृत् → शिक्षितः + ताडका-अन्तकृत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda-related chapters (weapon classifications and training); Agni Purana Ramayana-sangraha: Tāḍakā episode
FAQs
It highlights astra-śastra-śikṣā—formal training in projectile weapons (astras) and hand-held arms (śastras), a core Dhanurveda-related competency for a kṣatriya.
By embedding martial-technical vocabulary (astra/śastra and training) within an Itihasa-style Rama narrative, the text links ethical kingship and heroism with practical military science—one strand of the Agni Purana’s multi-domain compilation.
Rāma’s disciplined training and mission culminate in removing a harmful force (Tāḍakā), presenting righteous action (dharma-protecting violence) as merit-bearing when performed under guidance and for protection of sages and society.