Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 6
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
रक्तं क्षरन्ती प्रययौ खरं भ्रातरमब्रवीत् मरिष्यामि विनासाहं खर जीवामि वै तदा
raktaṃ kṣarantī prayayau kharaṃ bhrātaramabravīt mariṣyāmi vināsāhaṃ khara jīvāmi vai tadā
Duguan, siya’y lumapit sa kapatid niyang si Khara at nagsabi: “Kung wala ako, O Khara, ikaw ay tunay na mabubuhay; ngunit ako’y mamamatay.”
Narrative voice within Agni Purana (Agni’s recitation to Vasiṣṭha, conveying a Ramayana episode); direct speech: the bleeding woman addressing Khara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Ramayana-episode recall for dharma-oriented listening/teaching; contextualizes the cause of Khara’s campaign against Rama.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śūrpaṇakhā’s appeal to Khara (wounded, bleeding)","lookup_keywords":["Śūrpaṇakhā","Khara","rakta-kṣaraṇa","appeal","Ramayana episode"],"quick_summary":"Śūrpaṇakhā, bleeding from injury, approaches her brother Khara and frames her survival as impossible without his support, catalyzing retaliation."}
Alamkara Type: Karunā-bhāva (pathos) with direct speech (vākyokti)
Concept: Krodha-janita-pravṛtti (action born of anger/grievance) as a narrative cause leading to adharma and destruction.
Application: Recognize how grievance and wounded pride escalate conflict; cultivate restraint to prevent chain-reaction violence.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Avatarika Katha (Ramayana-related narrative)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śūrpaṇakhā, bleeding and disheveled, approaches Khara in the forest stronghold, pleading with desperation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, bold flat colors, stylized rākṣasa court in a forest pavilion, Śūrpaṇakhā with visible blood streaks and torn ornaments, expressive eyes, Khara seated with attendants, dramatic gesture of supplication","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate rākṣasa court with gold leaf detailing on jewelry and throne, Śūrpaṇakhā kneeling with wounded face, rich reds and greens, symmetrical composition, decorative arch backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework and soft shading, narrative panel: wounded Śūrpaṇakhā speaking to Khara, subtle blood detail, calm background with trees, emphasis on facial expression and hand gestures","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed forest encampment, Khara with rākṣasa retainers, Śūrpaṇakhā entering with blood-stained garments, intricate textiles, naturalistic foliage, dynamic conversational posture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भ्रातरमब्रवीत् = भ्रातरम् + अब्रवीत्; विनासाहं = विना + सा + अहम् (sandhi/orthographic joining).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 7.7; Agni Purana 7.8; Agni Purana 7.10
FAQs
None directly—this is a narrative line in an Itihasa-style retelling, conveying a plea and urgency rather than prescribing ritual, medical, or martial technique.
It shows the Agni Purana’s inclusion of Itihasa-derived narrative material (Ramayana episodes) alongside its many technical sections—one reason it is treated as a wide-ranging compendium.
By depicting suffering, appeal, and the chain of retaliatory action, it frames karmic causality and the moral gravity of violence—common Purāṇic themes that set up later ethical and dharmic conclusions.