Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 10
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
राज्यवर्धन इति ख, ग, घ चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः सुमन्त्रश् च वशिष्ठक इति ख, ग, घ, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकचतुष्टयपाठः मन्थरासती इति ख, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः मन्थरा सतीमिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः कब्जयोक्तञ्च तच् छ्रुत्वा एकमाभरणं ददौ उवाच मे यथा रामस् तथा मे भरतः सुतः
rājyavardhana iti kha, ga, gha cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ sumantraś ca vaśiṣṭhaka iti kha, ga, gha, ṅa, cihnitapustakacatuṣṭayapāṭhaḥ mantharāsatī iti kha, ṅa, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ mantharā satīmiti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ kabjayoktañca tac chrutvā ekamābharaṇaṃ dadau uvāca me yathā rāmas tathā me bharataḥ sutaḥ
“Rājyavardhana”——此为三部标记抄本（kha、ga、gha）之读法。“以及 Sumantra 与 Vasiṣṭhaka”——此为四部标记抄本（kha、ga、gha、ṅa）之读法。“Mantharā-satī”——此为两部标记抄本（kha、ṅa）之读法；而“Mantharā，贤德之女”——此为标记抄本（ga）之读法。她听闻 Kabja 所言，便赐下一件饰物，并说道：“罗摩于我如何，我之子婆罗多亦复如是。”
Narratorial voice of the Purana (Agni Purana’s compiler/narrator), preserving manuscript-variant notes within the transmitted verse context
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Understanding narrative causality in royal succession episodes (how counsel, gifts, and court-influence shape rajadharma outcomes); also useful for textual criticism awareness (variant readings).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Mantharā’s counsel and Kaikeyī’s gift (textual variants noted)","lookup_keywords":["Manthara","Kaikeyi","Bharata","ornament gift","variant reading"],"quick_summary":"The verse preserves manuscript variants and narrates Kaikeyī rewarding Kabjā/Mantharā with an ornament while affirming affection for Bharata comparable to Rāma."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (light alliteration) / Vakrokti (through insinuative speech-context)
Concept: Speech and counsel (mantra) can redirect royal fate; attachment and favoritism become ethical fault-lines in rajadharma.
Application: In governance and family leadership, scrutinize advisors and incentives; avoid rewarding manipulative counsel.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana narrative (Rajadharma & Royal lineage episodes)
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: bībhatsa
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kaikeyī in the palace chamber hears Kabjā/Mantharā’s words and hands over a single ornament, speaking of Rāma and Bharata; attendants and court ambience implied.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Kaikeyi seated on a low throne inside Ayodhya palace, Manthara/Kabja standing close whispering counsel, Kaikeyi offering one jeweled ornament, rich flat colors, ornate borders, expressive eyes, traditional mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Kaikeyi with halo-like prabhavali, heavy gold jewelry and embossed gold work, presenting a single ornament to Manthara, palace arch backdrop, deep reds and greens, stylized faces","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework and soft shading, interior palace scene with Kaikeyi handing an ornament, Manthara attentive, minimal background with pillars and drapery, emphasis on gesture and expression","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed palace interior with carpets and jali screens, Kaikeyi giving a jewel to Manthara, fine textiles, naturalistic faces, subdued palette with intricate detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar (grave, courtly)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कब्जयोक्तञ्च → कब्जया उक्तम् च; तच् छ्रुत्वा → तत् श्रुत्वा; एकमाभरणं → एकम् आभरणम्; रामस् → रामः (visarga normalization).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Itihasa/Ramayana khanda surrounding Kaikeyī-Mantharā episode (adjacent verses 6.11–6.14)
FAQs
No ritual/technical vidyā is taught here; the passage mainly preserves narrative content along with explicit manuscript-variant readings (pāṭhabheda) typical of transmitted Purāṇic text-traditions.
Beyond rituals and śāstras, the Agni Purāṇa also compiles itihāsa-style narratives; this verse illustrates that encyclopedic scope and also reflects how Purāṇas circulated with multiple recensions, preserving variant readings and names.
The karmic takeaway is ethical rather than ritual: the statement “as Rāma is to me, so is Bharata” emphasizes impartial maternal regard and dhārmic loyalty within the royal family—values repeatedly upheld in Purāṇic and Rāmāyaṇa traditions.