Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 9
Granthaprasthāvanā (Preface): Sāra of Knowledge, Twofold Brahman, and the Purpose of Avatāras
पुराणं परमाग्नेयं ब्रह्मविद्याक्षरं परम् ऋग्वेदाद्यपरं ब्रह्म सर्वदेवसुखावहम्
purāṇaṃ paramāgneyaṃ brahmavidyākṣaraṃ param ṛgvedādyaparaṃ brahma sarvadevasukhāvaham
هذا الأَغْنِيَةُ بُورَانَا (Agneya Purāṇa) السامي هو أرفعُ معرفةٍ خالدةٍ ببرهمن؛ وهو برهمن المتعالي، المتجاوز حتى للريغفيدا (Ṛgveda) وسائر الفيدات، ويمنح جميع الآلهة السعادةَ والهناء.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana, traditionally to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Functions as a text-māhātmya: motivates recitation/hearing by asserting the Purāṇa’s status as imperishable brahma-vidyā and as a source of universal well-being.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Agneya Purāṇa as Akṣara Brahma-vidyā (textual māhātmya)","lookup_keywords":["Agneya Purāṇa","brahma-vidyā","akṣara","Ṛgveda","sarva-deva-sukha"],"quick_summary":"The verse praises the Agneya Purāṇa as supreme, imperishable Brahman-knowledge, transcending ordinary scriptural divisions and promoting the welfare of all divine powers—thereby legitimizing its encyclopedic scope."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti
Concept: Śāstra as a vehicle of akṣara (imperishable) knowledge that supports cosmic order and divine welfare.
Application: Engage in regular śravaṇa/pāṭha as a dhārmic act believed to generate maṅgala (well-being) for self and community.
Khanda Section: Agni Purana Mahatmya / Grantha-paricaya (Textual Praise and Identification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic depiction of the Agneya Purāṇa as a radiant manuscript embodying imperishable Brahma-knowledge, revered by devas.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, a glowing palm-leaf manuscript on a lotus pedestal, devas offering flowers and lamps, warm ochres and reds, ornate temple border motifs, serene sacred aura.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, manuscript on throne-like pedestal with heavy gold leaf radiance, symmetrical devas with ārati lamps, rich jewel tones, embossed gold detailing emphasizing ‘akṣara’ brilliance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined manuscript stand with clear calligraphic title ‘Āgneya’, devas and sages in orderly rows, soft colors, didactic composition highlighting the book as central icon.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, illuminated manuscript with gilded margins in a divine court, devas in fine garments presenting offerings, intricate floral background, naturalistic shading and detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Compounds are lexicalized; no external sandhi requiring split beyond standard compound segmentation.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 1.10 (bhukti-mukti fruit of recitation/hearing)
FAQs
It identifies the Agni Purana as brahma-vidyā—supreme, imperishable knowledge of Brahman—establishing the text’s authority as a foundational source for applied dharma and spiritual instruction.
By declaring itself a supreme repository of brahma-vidyā and a source of universal benefit, the verse frames the Purana as a comprehensive knowledge-compendium that can legitimately encompass diverse disciplines (ritual, governance, medicine, arts) under a unifying spiritual authority.
Revering and studying this Purana is presented as spiritually elevating because it is linked to imperishable Brahman-knowledge and is said to generate auspicious welfare (sukha) that supports divine and cosmic harmony.