Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 17
Chapter 7 — रामायणवर्णनं (Description of the Rāmāyaṇa): Śūrpaṇakhā, Khara’s Defeat, and Sītā-haraṇa Prelude
सौमित्रिः सीतयोक्तो ऽथ विरुद्धं राममागतः रावणोप्यहरत् सीतां हत्वा गृध्रं जटायुषं
saumitriḥ sītayokto 'tha viruddhaṃ rāmamāgataḥ rāvaṇopyaharat sītāṃ hatvā gṛdhraṃ jaṭāyuṣaṃ
随后，娑弥特利（罗什曼那）听了悉多之言，虽心有违逆仍回到罗摩身边。罗波那又在杀死秃鹫阇陀优斯之后，掳走了悉多。
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Illustrates conflict between command and conscience (Lakṣmaṇa’s reluctance) and the catastrophic opening created by breaking protective protocol.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Lakṣmaṇa’s reluctant departure and Sītā-haraṇa","lookup_keywords":["Saumitri","Sītā-vacana","Rāvaṇa","Sītā-haraṇa","Jaṭāyu-vadha"],"quick_summary":"When the guardian is compelled away, the adversary exploits the gap; Jaṭāyu’s resistance models duty even at the cost of life."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkṣepa (compressed narration) with vīra-karuṇa juxtaposition
Weapon Type: Aerial/close combat (Jaṭāyu vs Rāvaṇa); implied sword/weapon struggle
Concept: Rakṣā-dharma (duty of protection) and the peril of adharma-driven coercion
Application: In guardianship roles, establish non-negotiable safety rules; do not let emotional pressure override risk assessment
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Samgraha (Ramayana narrative synopsis)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Karuṇa
Type: Forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Lakṣmaṇa turns back toward Rāma, conflicted; simultaneously Rāvaṇa seizes Sītā while Jaṭāyu attacks and is struck down, wings torn, in a dramatic aerial struggle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split-scene composition: Lakṣmaṇa moving away, Rāvaṇa in fierce rākṣasa form abducting Sītā, Jaṭāyu battling with spread wings, bold outlines, saturated colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central abduction with gold-work on crowns and jewelry, Jaṭāyu in dynamic pose, Sītā’s sorrowful face, ornate borders, rich maroons and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear narrative sequencing: Lakṣmaṇa departing, Rāvaṇa approaching, Jaṭāyu intercepting; delicate lines, soft hues, emphasis on expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed chariot/vehicle and forest clearing, Jaṭāyu mid-attack, Rāvaṇa restraining Sītā, fine detailing of feathers and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सीतयोक्तो = सीतया + उक्तः; उक्तोऽथ = उक्तः + अथ; राममागतः = रामम् + आगतः; रावणोपि = रावणः + अपि; रावणोप्यहरत् = रावणः + अपि + अहरत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 7.16 (deceptive cry trigger); Agni Purāṇa 7.18 (transport to Laṅkā)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse gives an itihāsa (Ramayana) narrative datum—Lakṣmaṇa’s return to Rāma and Rāvaṇa’s abduction of Sītā after slaying Jaṭāyus.
By embedding a concise Ramayana synopsis within the Purana, it demonstrates the Agni Purana’s compendium style—preserving epic history (itihāsa) alongside other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics), making it a multi-genre reference text.
It highlights dharma through exemplars: Jaṭāyus’ self-sacrifice in protecting Sītā models righteous duty and valor, while Rāvaṇa’s violent abduction signals adharma that yields inevitable karmic retribution.