Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 14
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
रात्रौ भर्ता गतस्तत्र रक्षितो विद्यया त्वया वरद्वयन्तदा प्रादाद् याचेदानीं नृपञ्च तत्
rātrau bhartā gatastatra rakṣito vidyayā tvayā varadvayantadā prādād yācedānīṃ nṛpañca tat
夜间，夫君前往彼处；因你所授之明咒之学（vidyā）而得护持，于是当时赐下两项恩许。如今，也当令国王请求其所愿之事。
Lord Agni (narrating the episode in the Agni Purana’s dialogue framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Protective vidyā (rakṣā) and boon-granting logic: employing protective rites/mantras for safe movement at night and understanding the social-ritual mechanism of varadāna (granting boons).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Night protection by vidyā and the granting of two boons","lookup_keywords":["raksha vidya","night protection","two boons","varadana","king request"],"quick_summary":"A husband goes at night safeguarded by a protective vidyā given by the addressee; in gratitude he grants two boons, prompting the king to request his desired boon as well."}
Alamkara Type: Kārya-kāraṇa (cause-effect narration)
Concept: Vidyā used as rakṣā yields tangible worldly outcomes (safety, boons); boons bind giver and receiver through obligation and intention.
Application: Use protective recitations/ritual safeguards before risky undertakings; be mindful that boons/promises create ethical constraints.
Khanda Section: Narrative / Itihasa-katha (Protective Vidya and Boon-bestowal episode)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night-time departure: the husband sets out under a protective vidyā aura; afterward he grants two boons, with a king poised to ask for a boon.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, nocturnal palace-garden scene with deep blues, a protective aura (mandala-like) around the departing husband, the vidyā-giver in blessing gesture, later panel showing boon-granting with formal hand gesture, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure granting two boons with gold-embossed halo, night scene stylized with dark backdrop, protective yantra-like motif in gold, king shown respectfully requesting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear sequential narrative: (1) night journey with protective circle, (2) boon-granting audience scene, fine linework and soft colors, emphasis on ritual gesture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, moonlit departure with detailed landscape, subtle luminous aura indicating protection, then a court scene with the boon-granting figure and the king petitioning, intricate textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गतस्तत्र → गतः तत्र; वरद्वयन्तदा → वरद्वयम् तदा; याचेदानीं → याचेत् अदानीम्; नृपञ्च → नृपम् च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana mantra/vidyā and rakṣā-related chapters (protective rites, kavaca-type materials); Agni Purana narrative passages on varas (boons) and their consequences
FAQs
The verse highlights a protective vidyā—knowledge/mantric power by which a person is ‘rakṣita’ (kept safe), enabling successful entry or action at night and culminating in boon-bestowal.
It shows the Purana’s integration of narrative with applied spiritual technology (vidyā as protection) and royal-context instruction (the king is prompted to request boons), blending story, praxis, and governance-adjacent counsel.
It implies that rightly received and applied vidyā safeguards the practitioner and leads to auspicious outcomes (like obtaining boons), reinforcing the merit of disciplined knowledge and proper guidance.