Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 1
Chapter 17 — सृष्टिविषयकवर्णनम्
An Account Concerning Creation
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये बुद्धकल्क्यवतारवर्णनं नाम षोडशो ऽध्यायः अथ सप्तदशो ऽध्यायः सृष्टिविषयकवर्ननम् अग्निर् उवाच जगत्सर्गादिकान् क्रीडान् विष्णोर्वक्ष्येधुना शृणु स्वर्गादिकृत् स सर्गादिः सृष्ट्यादिः सगुणोगुणः
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye buddhakalkyavatāravarṇanaṃ nāma ṣoḍaśo 'dhyāyaḥ atha saptadaśo 'dhyāyaḥ sṛṣṭiviṣayakavarnanam agnir uvāca jagatsargādikān krīḍān viṣṇorvakṣyedhunā śṛṇu svargādikṛt sa sargādiḥ sṛṣṭyādiḥ saguṇoguṇaḥ
هكذا ينتهي في «أغني بورانا» الفصل السادس عشر المعنون «وصف تجسّدَي بوذا وكلكي». والآن يبدأ الفصل السابع عشر «بيانٌ في الخلق». قال أغني: اسمعوا الآن، سأصف أفعال فيشنو اللعبيّة المقدّسة (ليلا)، مبتدئًا بانبثاق العالم. فهو صانع السماء وما سواها؛ وهو أصل الخلق وما يتبعه، وبادئ التجلّي—جامعٌ بين الصفات (ساغونا) ومتجاوزٌ للصفات (نيرغونا).
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Serves as a chapter colophon and cosmological proem: introduces sṛṣṭi teaching and frames Viṣṇu as both saguna and nirguna; used for structured study of Purāṇic cosmogony and Vedāntic reconciliation.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sṛṣṭi-Prakaraṇa Proem: Viṣṇu as Source of Creation—With and Beyond Attributes","lookup_keywords":["sṛṣṭi-prakaraṇa","sarga","saguṇa-nirguṇa","Agni uvāca","cosmogony"],"quick_summary":"The text transitions from avatāra narration to creation doctrine, presenting Viṣṇu’s ‘play’ as the origin of sarga while affirming a theology that is both personal (saguṇa) and transcendent (nirguṇa)."}
Alamkara Type: Prastāvanā (proem/introductory framing)
Concept: Reconciliation of saguṇa and nirguṇa: the same Viṣṇu is describable as creator and yet beyond qualities; creation as līlā (play).
Application: Approach cosmology with both devotion (personal deity) and inquiry (transcendent principle); use the ‘līlā’ lens to reduce existential anxiety about change.
Khanda Section: Cosmology & Creation (Sṛṣṭi-prakaraṇa / Puranic cosmogony)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A manuscript-like transition scene: the end-title of chapter 16, then Agni speaking to the listener; behind Agni, a vast cosmic tableau begins—heavenly realms and the first stirrings of creation emanating from Viṣṇu, shown both as a personal form and as an abstract radiance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Agni (sage/deity) seated as narrator with palm-leaf manuscript; behind him, Viṣṇu as radiant cosmic form from whom lotus-worlds emerge; include a decorative band noting ‘sṛṣṭi’ theme; bold outlines, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: Agni as teacher in foreground; above, Viṣṇu with gold halo and an emanating lotus-cosmos; incorporate embossed gold for the cosmic radiance and heavenly architecture motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional proem—Agni addressing the student; a clear cosmology diagram (emanation sequence) subtly integrated; soft colors, fine linework, labeled cartouches for sarga/sṛṣṭi.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly setting with Agni discoursing; background opens into a detailed cosmological panorama—Svarga courts, clouds, and a luminous Viṣṇu radiance; meticulous brushwork and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् → इति; षोडशो 'ध्यायः → षोडशः अध्यायः; सप्तदशो 'ध्यायः → सप्तदशः अध्यायः; अग्निर् उवाच → अग्निः उवाच; विष्णोर्वक्ष्येधुना → विष्णोः वक्ष्ये अधुना; सगुणोगुणः → स-गुणः अ-गुणः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 16 (chapter colophon: Buddha–Kalki avatāra); Agni Purana 17 (sṛṣṭi-vivarana to follow: sarga, tattvas, lokas—contextual)
FAQs
This verse initiates the cosmogonic teaching (sarga/sṛṣṭi-vicāra), framing creation as Viṣṇu’s divine “sport” and establishing the theological lens (saguṇa and nirguṇa) used to interpret subsequent cosmology.
It marks a structured transition from avatāra-narrative to systematic cosmology—showing how the Agni Purāṇa compiles multiple knowledge-domains (theology, metaphysics, and creation theory) in chapter-wise, topic-labeled form.
Hearing creation as Viṣṇu’s līlā-like activity and recognizing Him as both with and beyond attributes supports devotion and right understanding (jñāna-bhakti), which purifies worldview and aligns one’s karma with dharma.