Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 24
Chapter 9 — श्रीरामावतारकथनम् (Śrī Rāmāvatāra-kathanam) | Hanumān’s Ocean-Crossing, Sītā-Darśana, and the Setu Plan
सीताकथामृतेनैव सिञ्च मां कामवह्निगम् हनूमानब्रवीद्रामं लङ्घयित्वाब्धिमागतः
sītākathāmṛtenaiva siñca māṃ kāmavahnigam hanūmānabravīdrāmaṃ laṅghayitvābdhimāgataḥ
“سیتا کی حکایت کے امرت ہی سے مجھے سیراب کرو—میں خواہش کی آگ میں جل رہا ہوں۔” سمندر کو لانگھ کر لوٹنے والے ہنومان نے رام سے یوں کہا۔
Narrator (Agni Purana’s narration) reporting Hanuman’s words to Rama; direct speech attributed to Rama’s emotional state and Hanuman’s address
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Shows therapeutic power of narrative and reassurance: consoling a grief-stricken person through meaningful, trusted information.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sita-katha as nectar cooling Rama’s burning grief","lookup_keywords":["Sita-katha amrita","kama-vahni","Hanuman returns","ocean leap","consolation"],"quick_summary":"Hanuman’s return after crossing the ocean becomes the turning point: Rama asks to be cooled by the ‘nectar’ of Sita’s news, portraying speech as medicine for anguish."}
Dosha: Pitta
Alamkara Type: Rupaka (kathā as amṛta; grief/desire as fire)
Concept: Vāk as upaśamana—right speech can pacify inner turmoil when rooted in truth and compassion.
Application: Use truthful, empathetic communication as first aid for emotional crises; deliver news with context and reassurance.
Khanda Section: Itihasa–Ramayana-katha (Narrative Section: Sita-viraha and Hanuman’s message)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hanuman returns from the ocean and speaks; Rama, burning with longing, asks for Sita’s story as cooling nectar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic Hanuman arriving with wind-swept scarf, ocean hinted in stylized waves, Rama with softened eyes, metaphorical flames near heart subdued by lotus-like nectar stream, bold flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Rama with radiant halo and gold ornaments, Hanuman standing respectfully after return, decorative ocean motif at base, gold leaf highlighting ‘amrita’ aura around Hanuman’s speech","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, sequential panel feel: Hanuman leaping over stylized sea then reporting to Rama, gentle pastel palette, clear facial expressions of grief and reassurance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed shoreline camp, Hanuman just arrived, wet fur implied, attendants, Rama listening intently, fine wave patterns and distant Lanka silhouette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अमृतेनैव = अमृतेन + एव; हनूमानब्रवीद्रामं = हनूमान् + अब्रवीत् + रामम्; लङ्घयित्वाब्धिमागतः = लङ्घयित्वा + अब्धिम् + आगतः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9.23 (Rama’s inquiry); Agni Purana 9.25 (Hanuman’s counsel and token)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse conveys a devotional-narrative motif where Sītā’s news is likened to “nectar” that cools the burning anguish of separation.
It shows the Agni Purana’s compendious scope by embedding Itihāsa (Ramayana narrative) alongside its many instructional domains, preserving ethical and devotional exemplars within an otherwise multi-topic Purana.
Hearing and recounting the virtues and story of the righteous (Sītā/Rāma) is portrayed as spiritually restorative—transforming grief and desire into steadiness through remembrance and devotion.