Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 3
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
दृष्ट्वोत्थितञ्च मैनाकं सिंहिकां विनिपात्य च लङ्कां दृष्ट्वा राक्षसानां गृहाणि वनितागृहे
dṛṣṭvotthitañca mainākaṃ siṃhikāṃ vinipātya ca laṅkāṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasānāṃ gṛhāṇi vanitāgṛhe
Nang makita niyang umahon si Maināka (mula sa dagat) at mapabagsak si Siṃhikā, namasdan niya ang Laṅkā; at pagkaraan ay nakita niya ang mga tahanan ng mga rākṣasa, kabilang ang mga silid ng kababaihan sa loob ng palasyong-tahanan.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Epic reconnaissance motif: overcoming obstacles en route, then surveying enemy capital and inner quarters to locate the captive—useful as a narrative template for intelligence-gathering and mission sequencing.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hanumat’s Ocean-Crossing: Maināka, Siṃhikā, and First Sight of Laṅkā","lookup_keywords":["Mainaka","Simhika","Lanka-darshana","Hanuman reconnaissance","rakshasa-griha"],"quick_summary":"The verse compresses the travel-and-obstacle sequence (Maināka’s emergence, Siṃhikā’s defeat) and transitions into systematic visual reconnaissance of Laṅkā, including palace women’s quarters."}
Alamkara Type: Anukrama (sequential narration)
Concept: Steadfastness (dhairya) and single-pointed purpose (ekāgratā) amid temptations and threats.
Application: In any difficult undertaking, acknowledge aids/temptations without losing the goal; remove immediate obstacles, then proceed to systematic assessment.
Khanda Section: Ramayana-katha (Hanumat’s Lanka-yanam and reconnaissance)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hanumat flying over the ocean as Maināka rises; Siṃhikā attacked/defeated; distant golden Laṅkā appears; then a stealthy gaze into palace compounds and women’s quarters.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vivid colors, Hanumat mid-flight above stylized waves, Maināka mountain emerging with divine aura, Siṃhikā as a sea-demon below, far-off Laṅkā with ramparts and gateways, ornamental detailing, traditional temple-mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Hanumat with strong outline and jeweled ornaments, gold-leaf highlights on Laṅkā’s palaces, Maināka rising with gilded halo, rich reds and greens, iconic symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, narrative panels: (1) Maināka rising, (2) Siṃhikā subdued, (3) Laṅkā sighted, (4) Hanumat peering into palace quarters; soft shading and instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed seascape with patterned waves, Hanumat in dynamic flight, Siṃhikā rendered as a fantastical creature, Laṅkā as a walled city with domes and terraces, fine architectural perspective and courtly interiors hinted"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दृष्ट्वोत्थितम् = दृष्ट्वा + उत्थितम्; उत्थितञ्च = उत्थितम् + च (अनुस्वार/ञ्-आदेश); वनितागृहे = वनिता-गृहे (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9 (Ramayana-samgraha context: Hanumat’s search in Laṅkā)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as narrative geography and reconnaissance—marking key obstacles (Maināka, Siṃhikā) and the successful sighting of Laṅkā and its inner quarters.
It demonstrates the Agni Purana’s compendious method: alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, it also preserves condensed Itihāsa-style narration—here, a compact Ramayana sequence used for dharmic exempla and cultural memory.
The passage highlights steadfastness in dharmic mission: overcoming obstructive forces (Siṃhikā) and proceeding toward service (search for Sītā), a model of courage, focus, and protection of righteousness.