Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 24
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
रामः शस्त्रैस्तमस्त्रैश् च ववर्ध जलदो यथा तस्य ध्वजं स चिच्छेद रथमश्वांश् च सारथिम्
rāmaḥ śastraistamastraiś ca vavardha jalado yathā tasya dhvajaṃ sa ciccheda rathamaśvāṃś ca sārathim
Rāma xông lên với vũ khí và các astra, như mây mưa dâng đầy; rồi Người chém đứt cờ hiệu của địch, phá chiến xa, hạ ngựa và cả người đánh xe.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Illustrates battlefield target-priority: disabling enemy command symbols (dhvaja), mobility assets (ratha, aśva), and control node (sārathi) to neutralize a superior foe.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ratha-neutralization sequence: dhvaja–ratha–aśva–sārathi","lookup_keywords":["dhvaja cheda","ratha-bhanga","aśva-vadha","sārathi","target priority"],"quick_summary":"Rāma’s assault is compared to a swelling rain-cloud; he systematically cripples the enemy by cutting the banner, chariot, horses, and charioteer—an archetype of disabling strikes in chariot warfare."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (जलदो यथा)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows; astras (missiles)
Concept: Skillful means (upāya) in conflict: neutralize capability rather than only seeking direct kill.
Application: In adversarial situations, identify and remove enabling systems (symbols, mobility, coordination) to reduce harm and end conflict efficiently.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Avatara-Charita (Ramayana narrative / martial episodes)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma, like a swelling monsoon cloud, fires a sequence of arrows that topple the enemy banner, shatter the chariot, fell the horses, and strike the charioteer.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic falling dhvaja, splintering chariot, stylized horses, Rāma in strong archer stance, swirling cloud motifs to echo the simile, bold outlines and saturated palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents on banner and chariot ornaments, Rāma luminous with halo, arrows rendered as bright streaks, decorative battlefield framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step clarity of targets (banner, chariot, horses, charioteer), fine detailing of harness and wheel, calm precision despite action.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous depiction of chariot construction and horse tack, banner collapsing in fabric folds, dynamic diagonals of arrows, dust and motion lines, naturalistic anatomy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शस्त्रैस्तमस्त्रैश्च = शस्त्रैः तम् अस्त्रैः च; रथमश्वांश्च = रथम् अश्वान् च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda portions on ratha-yuddha; Ramayana-katha battle progression
FAQs
It reflects Dhanurveda-style combat praxis: coordinated use of śastra (hand-weapons) and astra (projectile/missile weapons), and the tactical disabling of the enemy’s chariot-system—banner, chariot, horses, and charioteer—to neutralize mobility and command.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical knowledge domains; here it embeds martial science within an epic frame, illustrating battlefield targeting priorities (dhvaja–ratha–aśva–sārathi) and the śastra/astra classification central to traditional military literature.
By portraying Rama’s controlled, decisive valor, the verse frames righteous force (dharma-yuddha) as disciplined action—courage and skill employed to end conflict effectively, aligning power with duty rather than rage or cruelty.