Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 53
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
शत्रुजिद्वलो इति क , ख च नीलमृत्तिक इति ख , घ , छ , ज , ञ , ट च नीलमूर्धज इति ङ पीतरक्तः क्षितिश् चैव श्वेतभौमो रसातलं भूल्लोको ऽथ भुवर्मुख्या जम्वूद्वीपादयः श्रिये
śatrujidvalo iti ka , kha ca nīlamṛttika iti kha , gha , cha , ja , ña , ṭa ca nīlamūrdhaja iti ṅa pītaraktaḥ kṣitiś caiva śvetabhaumo rasātalaṃ bhūlloko 'tha bhuvarmukhyā jamvūdvīpādayaḥ śriye
«شَتْرُجِدْوَلَا (Śatrujidvala)»—هكذا تقول روايتا Ka وKha؛ و«نِيلَمْرِتِّكَ (Nīlamṛttika)»—هكذا تُقرأ في روايات Kha وGha وCha وJa وÑa وṬa؛ و«نِيلَمُورْدْهَجَا (Nīlamūrdhaja)»—هكذا في رواية Ṅa. أمّا كْشِتِي (Kṣiti، الأرض) فلونها أصفرُ مائلٌ إلى الحمرة، وأمّا رَسَاتَلَا (Rasātala) فأبيضُ ذو طابعِ بْهُومَا (Bhūma، أرضي). ثم يأتي بْهُولُوكَا (Bhūloka)، ثم بْهُوفَر (Bhuvar)—وهو الأبرز بين العوالم—مع جَمْبُودْوِيبَا (Jambūdvīpa) وسائر القارات، طلبًا للرخاء.
Lord Agni (narrating cosmographic doctrine, as in the dominant Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Text-critical awareness of variant readings plus cosmographic orientation: hues/qualities of realms (earth, rasātala) and ordering of worlds/continents for ritual visualization and teaching.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Cosmographic variants and realm-descriptions (Kṣiti, Rasātala, Bhūloka–Bhuvar, Jambūdvīpa)","lookup_keywords":["rasatala","bhuloka","bhuvar","jambudvipa","nilamrttika"],"quick_summary":"Records recension-variants for a cosmographic name and describes color/character of Earth and Rasātala, then lists higher loci like Bhūloka, Bhuvar and Jambūdvīpa for auspicious contemplation. Useful for aligning recitation/diagramming with one’s textual tradition."}
Alamkara Type: Parenthetical scholia / patha-bheda notation (recensional gloss)
Concept: Many-name/one-referent principle and layered cosmos: reality is described through ordered lokas; textual transmission preserves multiple authoritative readings.
Application: When teaching/reciting cosmography, choose the pāṭha of one’s śākhā/recension; use the loka-order for dhyāna, ritual nyāsa, or cosmographic diagrams.
Khanda Section: Bhūgola / Lokavibhāga (Cosmography: planets, netherworlds, and continents)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A layered cosmographic chart: Earth (yellow-red) above a white Rasātala; above them Bhūloka and Bhuvar; in the center Jambūdvīpa with surrounding continents; marginal notes show variant names from different recensions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, concentric cosmographic layers with bold color blocks: yellow-red Earth, white Rasātala below, blue-green upper lokas, central Jambūdvīpa lotus-map, decorative script-like labels for variant readings","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate cosmographic mandala with gold leaf borders, central Jambūdvīpa as jeweled island, layered realms beneath with distinct colors (white Rasātala), small cartouches listing Śatrujidvala/Nīlamṛttika/Nīlamūrdhaja","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic cosmography with clean lines and pastel washes, annotated variant readings in margins, clear separation of lokas and dvīpas for instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-scribes comparing manuscripts while a painted cosmographic map lies open, fine calligraphy panels showing variant names, detailed landscape vignettes for dvīpas"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शत्रुजिद्वलो = शत्रुजित् + वलः; क्षितिश् चैव = क्षितिः + च + एव; भूल्लोको = भूः + लोकः; लोको ऽथ = लोकः + अथ (अवग्रह)
Related Themes: Agni Purana cosmography sections (Bhūgola/Lokavibhāga); Agni Purana bhuvana-kośa materials around 219
FAQs
This verse imparts cosmographic classification (bhūgola-vidyā): it names/labels regions and describes their characteristic colors/natures (Earth as yellow-red; Rasātala as white), and situates Bhūloka, Bhuvarloka, and Jambūdvīpa within the world-system.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope by preserving systematic geography/cosmology (lokas, netherworlds, dvīpas) and even recording variant readings across recensions—showing the text functioning both as a knowledge compendium and a tradition-aware transmission.
Knowing the ordered structure of worlds (loka-vibhāga) is traditionally treated as a form of dharmic knowledge that supports right orientation in worship and contemplation; the verse frames the mapping of realms as conducive to śrī—auspicious prosperity and well-being.