Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 16
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
सीतया प्रेरितो रामः शरेणाथावधीच्च तं म्रियमाणो मृगः प्राह हा सीते लक्ष्मणेति च
sītayā prerito rāmaḥ śareṇāthāvadhīcca taṃ mriyamāṇo mṛgaḥ prāha hā sīte lakṣmaṇeti ca
سیتا کے اُکسانے پر رام نے تیر سے اُس ہرن کو گرا کر مار ڈالا؛ مرتے ہوئے ہرن نے پکارا: “ہائے سیتا! ہائے لکشمن!”
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic Itihāsa to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Narrative instruction on discernment and the consequences of being driven by desire/impulse; also illustrates archery as decisive action with moral stakes.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Māyāmṛga-vadha and the deceptive cry","lookup_keywords":["Mārīca","māyāmṛga","Rāma-śara","Sītā","Lakṣmaṇa-śabda"],"quick_summary":"The illusory deer episode shows how deception manipulates attention and duty; the dying cry becomes the trigger that separates protectors from the protected."}
Alamkara Type: Karuna (ākranda) with Nāṭyadharmī voice-impersonation; also Dhvani (suggestion) of impending calamity
Weapon Type: Bow and arrow (śara)
Concept: Viveka (discernment) against māyā; guarding duty over impulse
Application: In decision-making, verify signals and sources; do not let desire override protective responsibilities
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Narrative episode within the Purana)
Primary Rasa: Karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Type: Forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma in forest posture releases an arrow at the golden deer; the deer collapses while crying out in a human voice invoking Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa; Sītā watches from a hut-edge, startled.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, dense forest greens, Rāma with blue complexion and bow drawn, golden deer falling, expressive wide eyes, stylized foliage, traditional ornamentation, dramatic karuṇa mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Rāma with ornate crown and bow, gold-leaf highlights on ornaments and the deer’s golden body, Sītā near the cottage, rich reds and greens, embossed detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, soft shading, instructional clarity: arrow trajectory, Rāma’s stance, deer mid-fall, minimal background but clear forest cues, subdued palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic forest, detailed textiles, Rāma aiming, deer struck and crying, attendants absent, emphasis on narrative moment, fine brushwork and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शरेणाथ = शरेण + अथ; अवधीत् + च = अवधीत् च; लक्ष्मणेति = लक्ष्मण + इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 7.17-7.20 (abduction sequence and inference of māyā)
FAQs
The verse primarily conveys narrative knowledge (Itihāsa) and implicitly highlights archery practice (śara—use of the arrow) as a practical martial skill rather than a ritual instruction.
By embedding the Ramayana’s key plot mechanism (the deceptive dying cry) within the Purana, it preserves Itihāsa alongside other disciplines—showing how Agni Purana functions as a compendium that includes moral narrative, statecraft, ritual, and martial themes.
It underscores how māyā (deception) can trigger consequential choices; the karmic takeaway is vigilance and discernment (viveka), since actions taken under misperception can lead to major dharmic trials.