Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 7
Śrīrāmāvatāra-kathana (Account of the Rāma Incarnation) — Kiṣkindhā Alliance and the Search for Sītā
समये तिष्ठ सुग्रीव मा बालिपथमन्वगाः सुग्रीव आह संसक्तो गतं कालं न बुद्धवान्
samaye tiṣṭha sugrīva mā bālipathamanvagāḥ sugrīva āha saṃsakto gataṃ kālaṃ na buddhavān
“苏格利婆，当守其时而止，莫循婆梨之路。”苏格利婆答道：“我沉缠于纷扰之中，不曾觉察时日已逝。”
Narrative voice within the Itihasa episode (instruction addressed to Sugriva; reply by Sugriva)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Time-discipline and accountability in leadership; avoiding repeating a predecessor’s destructive path; correcting negligence promptly.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Samaya (timeliness) and avoiding Bali’s path: counsel to Sugriva","lookup_keywords":["samaya","Sugriva delay","Bali path","accountability","time discipline"],"quick_summary":"Rama’s counsel stresses acting at the proper time and not following Bali’s way; Sugriva admits distraction and missed timing. The takeaway is governance by timeliness and self-control."}
Alamkara Type: Niti-vakya (didactic maxim)
Concept: Kāla (right time) as a pillar of dharma and success; pramāda (negligence) as cause of failure.
Application: Set deadlines, honor commitments, avoid indulgence that erodes duty; acknowledge lapses quickly and return to right conduct.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Narrative (Ramayana Episode / Dharma-Instruction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rama admonishes Sugriva about timeliness and warns against Bali’s path; Sugriva responds with remorse, admitting he missed the proper time due to entanglement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Rama standing in composed authority, Sugriva listening with lowered gaze, Lakshmana stern beside Rama, palace/forest edge of Kishkindha, expressive eyes and gestures","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Rama in regal stance with gold work, Sugriva humbled, symbolic clock/season motif subtly included (sun/moon), ornate yet moralizing scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic tableau: Rama instructing with raised hand, Sugriva contrite, clean background, emphasis on facial expressions and moral tone","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting near Kishkindha, Rama admonishing, Sugriva replying with regret, detailed textiles and architecture, restrained drama"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बालिपथमन्वगाः → बालिपथम् अन्वगाः; अन्यत्र पदच्छेदः यथोक्तः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 8 (Rama–Sugriva accountability dialogue)
FAQs
It imparts practical discipline (kāla-niyama): act only at the appointed time and avoid entering the dangerous domain or “path” of a stronger rival (Vāli).
Alongside ritual and technical sections, the Agni Purana also preserves Itihasa-based ethical instruction—using Ramayana characters to teach leadership, strategy, and time-management as applied dharma.
Respecting proper time and avoiding reckless pursuit reduces adharmic risk and harm; it supports self-control (saṃyama) and right action (dharma), which are karmically purifying.