Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 7
Śrīrāmāvatāra-varṇana
Description of the Incarnation of Sri Rama
अभूत् पूर्मथुरा काचित् रामोक्तो भरतो ऽवधीत् कोटित्रयञ्च शैलूष- पुत्राणां निशितैः शरैः
abhūt pūrmathurā kācit rāmokto bharato 'vadhīt koṭitrayañca śailūṣa- putrāṇāṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
Có một Mathurā xưa kia. Theo lệnh Rāma, Bharata đã dùng những mũi tên sắc nhọn giết ba koṭi (ba mươi triệu) người con của Śailūṣa.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic-itihasa material to a sage interlocutor, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Mythic-hyperbolic war report used to emphasize obedience to command and overwhelming martial efficacy; also functions as a toponymic memory of ‘(Pūrva) Mathurā’.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Bharata’s mass slaying of Śailūṣa’s sons at (former) Mathurā by Rāma’s command","lookup_keywords":["Mathurā (pūrva)","Bharata","Śailūṣa-putra","koṭitraya","śara"],"quick_summary":"At Rāma’s command, Bharata destroys an immense host—‘three crores’ of Śailūṣa’s sons—using sharp arrows, underscoring decisive kṣatriya action in service of royal order."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbole: koṭitraya)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows (śara)
Concept: Kṣatriya duty executed under rightful command; protection of realm may require forceful suppression of hostile forces.
Application: In governance ethics: act proportionately and decisively against organized threats; maintain discipline and chain of command.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Samgraha (Narrative/Legendary History Section)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: City/Settlement
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield near an older settlement called Mathurā: Bharata as a central archer releases volleys of sharp arrows against an enormous host identified as Śailūṣa’s sons.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural panoramic battle: Bharata prominent with drawn bow; waves of enemy figures receding; stylized arrows as rhythmic diagonals; city silhouette labeled as old Mathurā; bold colors and layered registers.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore heroic panel: Bharata with gold halo and ornate attire, bow raised; simplified mass of foes; gold work on weapons and borders; devotional-heroic emphasis rather than gore.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clear instructional depiction of archery posture and volley; battlefield arranged for readability; minimal background with a small city marker for Mathurā; fine lines and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature wide battle scene: detailed ranks of soldiers, dust clouds, horses; Bharata as focal archer; distant city walls indicating Mathurā; meticulous rendering of arrows, armor, and landscape."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रामोक्तो = राम-उक्तः; भरतोऽवधीत् = भरतः + अवधीत्; कोटित्रयञ्च = कोटि-त्रयम् + च; शैलूष- पुत्राणाम् = शैलूषपुत्राणाम् (line-break/avagraha not shown).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ramayana-saṅkṣepa: Bharata’s role and allied campaigns
FAQs
It primarily reflects Dhanurveda in narrative form: victory and mass-slaughter are attributed to niśita-śara (keen, well-prepared arrows), implying emphasis on weapon preparation and effective archery execution rather than a ritual procedure.
The Agni Purana interweaves itihasa (Ramayana-derived history) with practical domains like warfare/archery vocabulary (śara, niśita), showing how the text functions both as a mytho-historical digest and a repository of technical cultural knowledge.
The verse foregrounds obedience to dharmic command (Rāma’s order) and the kingly duty of protection and suppression of hostile forces; karmically, it frames violent action as duty-bound when aligned with righteous authority in the epic-puranic worldview.