Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 1
Chapter 10 — श्रीरामावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Incarnation-Deeds of Śrī Rāma
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये रामायणे सुन्दरकाण्डवर्णनं नाम नवमो ऽध्यायः अथ दशमो ऽध्यायः श्रीरामावतारवर्णनं नाराद उवाच रामोक्तश्चाङ्गदो गत्वा रावणं प्राह जानकी दीयतां राघवायाशु अन्यथा त्वं मरिष्यसि
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye rāmāyaṇe sundarakāṇḍavarṇanaṃ nāma navamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha daśamo 'dhyāyaḥ śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanaṃ nārāda uvāca rāmoktaścāṅgado gatvā rāvaṇaṃ prāha jānakī dīyatāṃ rāghavāyāśu anyathā tvaṃ mariṣyasi
如是，在《阿耆尼往世书》之《罗摩衍那》部中，第九章“孙达罗迦ṇḍa之叙述”告终。今开第十章“圣罗摩降世之叙述”。那罗陀曰：奉罗摩之命，安伽陀往见罗波那而宣告：“速将阇那姬归还罗伽婆；否则汝必亡。”
Nārada
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Diplomatic ultimatum (dūta-vākya) as pre-war protocol; demonstrates emissary conduct and consequences of refusal.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Chapter Transition; Angada’s Embassy and Ultimatum to Ravana","lookup_keywords":["Angada messenger","duta-vakya","return Janaki","ultimatum","Rama avatara"],"quick_summary":"The text marks a chapter transition and narrates Aṅgada’s mission: a final demand to return Jānakī to Rāma, else face death—classic pre-battle diplomacy and warning."}
Alamkara Type: Vakrokti (forceful direct speech)
Concept: Before righteous war, offer a clear path to restitution; refusal of dharma invites self-destruction.
Application: In disputes: document and communicate a final fair demand; keep consequences explicit; exhaust peaceful options before coercion.
Khanda Section: Avataras / Ramayana-katha (Sri-Rama-avatara narration)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Textual colophon transitions to the next chapter; Aṅgada stands in Rāvaṇa’s court delivering Rama’s ultimatum to return Jānakī immediately or face death.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Angada as youthful vanara prince with ornaments, standing boldly before Ravana’s throne; courtiers react; strong gestures and expressive eyes; decorative script-like border hinting chapter transition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Ravana enthroned with gold embellishment; Angada centered with commanding stance and halo-like emphasis; rich reds and greens, gold leaf on crowns and pillars; devotional-epic framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear court layout with Angada delivering message; emphasis on hand gestures (mudra-like) and facial expressions; neat composition suitable for didactic narration; subtle background indicating chapter heading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed audience hall with patterned carpets, pillars, and attendants; Angada addressing Ravana; fine expressions showing tension; balanced composition with calligraphic cartouche for chapter title."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"commanding","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity → iti; navamo 'dhyāyaḥ → navamaḥ adhyāyaḥ; daśamo 'dhyāyaḥ → daśamaḥ adhyāyaḥ; rāmoktaścāṅgado → rāma-uktaḥ ca aṅgadaḥ; rāghavāyāśu → rāghavāya āśu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 9 (Sundara-kanda description colophon); Agni Purana 10 (Rama-avatara narrative arc)
FAQs
This verse conveys diplomatic and strategic practice (dūta-vākya): a messenger delivers a clear demand with a consequence, framed as Rāma’s command to Aṅgada to require Sītā’s return.
Alongside ritual and doctrinal material, the Agni Purāṇa preserves itihāsa-style narrative that models governance, diplomacy, and ethical conflict—showing that its scope includes statecraft and exemplary conduct, not only liturgy.
It underscores dharma: restoring the wrongfully taken (Sītā) is presented as the righteous course, and refusal invites inevitable downfall—implying that adharma leads to destructive karmic consequences.