Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 18
Svāyambhuva-vaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lineage of Svāyambhuva Manu
तेषु तेषु च पात्रेषु दुह्यमाना वसुन्धरा प्रादाद्यथेप्सितं क्षीरन्तेन प्राणानधारयत्
teṣu teṣu ca pātreṣu duhyamānā vasundharā prādādyathepsitaṃ kṣīrantena prāṇānadhārayat
যে যে পাত্রে বসুন্ধরা দোহিত হচ্ছিল, সে সে পাত্রে ইচ্ছামতো দুধ দান করল; সেই দুধেই তারা প্রাণধারণ করল।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana frame: Agni instructing a sage, commonly Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Teaches the ‘earth-as-cow’ model: resources can be drawn differently according to the ‘vessel’ (need/recipient), emphasizing calibrated extraction and sustenance economics.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vasundhara Milked into Diverse Vessels (Need-based Yield)","lookup_keywords":["vasundhara","dhenu-rupa-prithvi","patra","duhana","ksheera"],"quick_summary":"Earth yields according to the capacity and intention of the recipient; the produced ‘milk’ sustains life—an image for adaptive provisioning and responsible resource use."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Appropriate ‘taking’ aligned with need and capacity; nature reciprocates when approached rightly.
Application: Sustainability ethic: tailor extraction (tax, harvest, grazing, mining) to capacity and purpose; avoid over-milking.
Khanda Section: Puranic Cosmology & Sacred Geography (Prithvi/Vasundhara narratives; Dhenu-rupa Prithvi motifs)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred Geography
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The Earth as a cow being milked into many different vessels; each vessel receives exactly the desired quantity; beings drink and are sustained.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Bhudevi as a sacred cow with ornate markings; multiple attendants holding varied pots; streams of milk flowing; background with stylized forests and hills; temple palette and strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central cow-form Earth with gold embellishments; symmetrical arrangement of vessels; milk rendered as white flowing ribbons; gold-leaf on pots and ornaments; auspicious motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene showing different vessel types and measured flow; fine detailing of utensils; calm pastoral setting; emphasis on proportionality and order.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: naturalistic cow, attendants in varied costumes representing different beings; detailed metal vessels; subtle landscape; careful depiction of milk streams and gestures of receiving."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prādādyathepsitaṃ → प्रादात् + यथा + ईप्सितम्; kṣīrantena → क्षीरम् + तेन; prāṇānadhārayat → प्राणान् + अधारयत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana narrative of Prithu and earth-milking (adjacent verses); Agni Purana dharma passages on non-injury and measured taking
FAQs
It presents the puranic motif of “milking the Earth” (vasundharā-dohana): different recipients obtain the specific nourishment they seek, emphasizing rightful extraction and sustenance rather than indiscriminate exploitation.
Alongside rituals and doctrines, the Agni Purana preserves cosmological and ecological myths that explain how resources, prosperity, and life-supporting essences are distributed—integrating theology with a worldview of material sustenance.
The verse implies that life is maintained through divinely ordered provision; receiving “as desired” suggests that outcomes align with intention and entitlement, encouraging dharmic seeking and restraint in taking from the Earth.