Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 16
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
हनूमान् स दशग्रीव दर्शनोपायमाकरोत् वनं बभञ्ज तत्पालान् हत्वा दन्तनखादिभिः
hanūmān sa daśagrīva darśanopāyamākarot vanaṃ babhañja tatpālān hatvā dantanakhādibhiḥ
Pagkaraan, si Hanūmān ay nagbalak ng paraan upang makaharap si Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa): winasak niya ang halamanan, at pinatay ang mga bantay nito sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga ngipin, kuko, at iba pa.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Demonstrates tactical provocation to force engagement with the enemy leader; illustrates close-quarters combat using natural weapons (teeth/nails) and controlled escalation.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hanumān’s tactic to obtain audience with Rāvaṇa by ravaging the grove","lookup_keywords":["Hanuman tactic","Dashagriva audience","grove destruction","teeth nails combat","provocation"],"quick_summary":"Hanumān engineers a confrontation with Rāvaṇa by creating a disturbance—destroying the grove and defeating guards with teeth and nails—so the enemy leadership is compelled to respond."}
Alamkara Type: Kriyā-viśeṣa (action intensification)
Weapon Type: Unarmed/natural weapons (danta, nakha)
Concept: Upāya-kauśalya (skill in means): selecting an action that compels the desired response from a stronger political-military structure.
Application: In adversarial systems, create controlled pressure points that force decision-makers to engage, while maintaining mission intent.
Khanda Section: Ramayana Narrative (Hanuman–Lanka episode; Itihasa-katha within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: veera
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Garden/Grove
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hanumān tears through a royal grove, uprooting trees and striking down guards with teeth and nails, creating chaos to summon Rāvaṇa’s attention.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, high-energy Hanumān in red-ochre tones, stylized trees snapping, guards in dramatic poses, swirling composition emphasizing motion and vīra rasa","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, heroic Hanumān central with gold highlights on ornaments, broken trees arranged decoratively, fallen guards, rich background patterns, divine aura amid action","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, sequential action clarity: Hanumān breaking trees and subduing guards with nails/teeth, clean lines, instructional depiction of tactic and movement","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed garden with shattered branches, Hanumān mid-leap, guards recoiling, architectural hints of Laṅkā palace beyond, meticulous flora and dynamic diagonals"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: darśanopāyamākarot = darśanopāyam + ākarot; tatpālān = tat + pālān; dantanakhādibhiḥ = danta-nakha-ādibhiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9 (Laṅkā episode progression: meeting → provocation → capture)
FAQs
It conveys practical strategy (upāya): provoking a controlled confrontation to force access to an otherwise unreachable ruler—here, Hanumān engineers an audience with Rāvaṇa by creating a security crisis.
Alongside ritual, dharma, and technical subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves Itihāsa-style narrative material; such verses function as ethical and strategic exempla embedded within its wide-ranging compendium.
The act is framed as mission-driven dharma: force is used as an instrument in service of Rāma’s cause, emphasizing disciplined action aligned with righteous purpose rather than personal aggression.