Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 26
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
सत्यपाशनिबद्धस्तु राममाहूय चाब्रवीत् कैकेय्या वञ्चितो राम राज्यं कुरु निगृह्य माम्
satyapāśanibaddhastu rāmamāhūya cābravīt kaikeyyā vañcito rāma rājyaṃ kuru nigṛhya mām
然而他被真实之索所缚，便召来罗摩说道：“罗摩，我被凯凯伊所欺；你当承受王国，并约束我（即以你的决断超越我因誓言而无能为力之境）。”
King Dasharatha (addressing Rama), within Agni Purana’s Ramayana narrative retelling (framed traditionally as Agni’s instruction to Vashistha).
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethics of vows in governance: how a ruler bound by satya must act, and how authority may be transferred to preserve dharma and state order.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Satya-pasha (noose of truth) and compelled abdication","lookup_keywords":["satya","vrata","rajadharma","kaikeyi","ramarajya"],"quick_summary":"Shows the king constrained by a truth-vow; he calls Rama to assume rule, acknowledging deception and the paralysis created by binding promises in political life."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Satya as binding power: personal vows can override royal will, creating dharma-sankata; resolution sought through rightful transfer of duty.
Application: In leadership, avoid rash promises; when bound, seek dharmic remedies that minimize harm—delegation/transfer to a competent successor.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Ramayana-Katha (Narrative Dharma and Royal Succession)
Primary Rasa: Karuna
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king, bound by his vow, summons Rama in the court and confesses Kaikeyi’s deception, urging Rama to take the kingdom despite the king’s helpless constraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal hall with pillars, Dasaratha gesturing weakly, Rama standing composed with bow absent (civil scene), symbolic rope/noose motif near the king to signify satya-pasha, attendants and lamps, rich ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Rama with serene halo, Dasaratha seated with sorrow, gold-leaf throne backdrop, Kaikeyi hinted at in side panel shadow, ornate jewelry, emphasis on dharmic gravity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional narrative clarity: king addressing Rama, subtle depiction of a ‘noose’ motif as a sash/cord, fine facial expressions, balanced composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court audience scene, detailed textiles and carpets, Dasaratha speaking to Rama, courtiers whispering, architectural depth, muted palette with precise linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्यपाशनिबद्धस्तु = सत्यपाशनिबद्धः + तु. राममाहूय = रामम् + आहूय. चाब्रवीत् = च + अब्रवीत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 6.25 (succession anxiety); Agni Purana 6.27 (exile instruction)
FAQs
It conveys dharma-vidya in the form of satya (truthfulness) as a binding vow (satyapāśa), illustrating how a king’s pledged word constrains political action and personal desire.
Alongside ritual, tantra, medicine, and polity, the Agni Purana also preserves Itihasa-based case studies in ethics and governance—here, a royal succession crisis used to teach rajadharma and the consequences of vows.
The verse highlights that satya and sworn promises generate binding karmic force; even a ruler must submit to truth, making vow-keeping a core purifier and a measure of dharmic legitimacy.