Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 18
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
जटायुषा स भिन्नाङ्गो अङ्केनादाय जानकीम् गतो लङ्कामशोकाख्ये धारयामास चाब्रवीत्
jaṭāyuṣā sa bhinnāṅgo aṅkenādāya jānakīm gato laṅkāmaśokākhye dhārayāmāsa cābravīt
جٹایو کے ہاتھوں اعضا زخمی ہونے کے باوجود راون نے جانکی کو گود میں لے کر لنکا کا رخ کیا؛ اور ‘اشوک’ نامی مقام (اشوک واٹیکا) میں اسے رکھ کر اس سے گفتگو کی۔
Agni (narrator) to Vasiṣṭha (listener), recounting the Ramayana episode
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Depicts coercion and captivity; serves as a moral warning about power used without dharma and the resilience required in adversity.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sītā’s confinement in Aśoka-vāṭikā","lookup_keywords":["Laṅkā","Aśoka-vāṭikā","Jānakī","Rāvaṇa","Jaṭāyu-bhinnāṅga"],"quick_summary":"After violent resistance by Jaṭāyu, Sītā is taken to Laṅkā and held in the Aśoka grove—an iconic setting of endurance, intimidation, and steadfastness."}
Alamkara Type: Bībhatsa-bhayānaka coloring through torn limbs; Karuṇa through captivity; also Dṛśya (pictorial vividness)
Weapon Type: Implied close combat injuries (bhinnāṅga) from Jaṭāyu encounter
Concept: Śīla-dhāraṇa (holding virtue) amid coercion; adharma’s reliance on force
Application: In crisis, preserve inner vows and clarity; do not concede to coercive bargaining
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Narrative Episode: Sita in Lanka / Ashoka-vatika)
Primary Rasa: Karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāvaṇa, wounded from battle, carries Sītā to Laṅkā and places her in the Aśoka grove; rākṣasī guards surround her; lush aśoka trees frame the scene.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Laṅkā palace-garden with stylized aśoka trees, Sītā seated sorrowfully, rākṣasīs as fierce attendants, Rāvaṇa imposing, strong reds/greens, ornate jewelry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Sītā under aśoka tree with gold-leaf halo-like ornamentation, Rāvaṇa richly crowned, guards in symmetrical arrangement, embossed gold borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, gentle modeling of Sītā’s face, detailed flora of the grove, clear separation of figures, subdued menace, fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed garden architecture, flowering trees, Sītā seated with attendants, Rāvaṇa speaking, intricate textiles and jewelry, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अङ्केनादाय = अङ्केन + आदाय; लङ्कामशोकाख्ये = लङ्काम् + अशोकाख्ये; चाब्रवीत् = च + अब्रवीत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 7.17 (Jaṭāyu’s fall and abduction); Agni Purāṇa 7.19 (Rāvaṇa’s proposal)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as Itihāsa narration, situating Sītā’s confinement in Aśoka-grove after the abduction.
By embedding Ramayana-kathā alongside other disciplines, the Agni Purana models a compendium style—preserving ethical-historical exemplars (dharma, adharma, consequences) in addition to ritual, polity, medicine, and arts.
The episode highlights adharma (abduction and coercion) and its karmic trajectory, while foregrounding Sītā’s steadfastness and the moral weight of protecting the innocent (exemplified by Jaṭāyu’s sacrifice).