Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 17
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
सौमित्रिः सीतयोक्तो ऽथ विरुद्धं राममागतः रावणोप्यहरत् सीतां हत्वा गृध्रं जटायुषं
saumitriḥ sītayokto 'tha viruddhaṃ rāmamāgataḥ rāvaṇopyaharat sītāṃ hatvā gṛdhraṃ jaṭāyuṣaṃ
پھر سیتا کے کہنے پر سومِتری (لکشمن) دل نہ مانتے ہوئے، مخالفت کے ساتھ رام کے پاس واپس آیا؛ اور راون نے گِدھ جٹایو کو قتل کر کے سیتا کو اغوا کر لیا۔
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Illustrates conflict between command and conscience (Lakṣmaṇa’s reluctance) and the catastrophic opening created by breaking protective protocol.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Lakṣmaṇa’s reluctant departure and Sītā-haraṇa","lookup_keywords":["Saumitri","Sītā-vacana","Rāvaṇa","Sītā-haraṇa","Jaṭāyu-vadha"],"quick_summary":"When the guardian is compelled away, the adversary exploits the gap; Jaṭāyu’s resistance models duty even at the cost of life."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkṣepa (compressed narration) with vīra-karuṇa juxtaposition
Weapon Type: Aerial/close combat (Jaṭāyu vs Rāvaṇa); implied sword/weapon struggle
Concept: Rakṣā-dharma (duty of protection) and the peril of adharma-driven coercion
Application: In guardianship roles, establish non-negotiable safety rules; do not let emotional pressure override risk assessment
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Samgraha (Ramayana narrative synopsis)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Karuṇa
Type: Forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Lakṣmaṇa turns back toward Rāma, conflicted; simultaneously Rāvaṇa seizes Sītā while Jaṭāyu attacks and is struck down, wings torn, in a dramatic aerial struggle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split-scene composition: Lakṣmaṇa moving away, Rāvaṇa in fierce rākṣasa form abducting Sītā, Jaṭāyu battling with spread wings, bold outlines, saturated colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central abduction with gold-work on crowns and jewelry, Jaṭāyu in dynamic pose, Sītā’s sorrowful face, ornate borders, rich maroons and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear narrative sequencing: Lakṣmaṇa departing, Rāvaṇa approaching, Jaṭāyu intercepting; delicate lines, soft hues, emphasis on expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed chariot/vehicle and forest clearing, Jaṭāyu mid-attack, Rāvaṇa restraining Sītā, fine detailing of feathers and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सीतयोक्तो = सीतया + उक्तः; उक्तोऽथ = उक्तः + अथ; राममागतः = रामम् + आगतः; रावणोपि = रावणः + अपि; रावणोप्यहरत् = रावणः + अपि + अहरत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 7.16 (deceptive cry trigger); Agni Purāṇa 7.18 (transport to Laṅkā)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse gives an itihāsa (Ramayana) narrative datum—Lakṣmaṇa’s return to Rāma and Rāvaṇa’s abduction of Sītā after slaying Jaṭāyus.
By embedding a concise Ramayana synopsis within the Purana, it demonstrates the Agni Purana’s compendium style—preserving epic history (itihāsa) alongside other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics), making it a multi-genre reference text.
It highlights dharma through exemplars: Jaṭāyus’ self-sacrifice in protecting Sītā models righteous duty and valor, while Rāvaṇa’s violent abduction signals adharma that yields inevitable karmic retribution.