Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 4
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
घृतेयुश् च चितेयुश् च स्थण्डिलेयुश् च सत्तमः धर्मेयुः सन्नतेयुश् च कृचेयुर्मतिनारकः
ghṛteyuś ca citeyuś ca sthaṇḍileyuś ca sattamaḥ dharmeyuḥ sannateyuś ca kṛceyurmatinārakaḥ
হে সৎশ্রেষ্ঠ! (এখানে উল্লিখিত নরকগুলির নাম)—ঘৃতেয়ু, চিতেয়ু ও স্থণ্ডিলেয়ু; তদ্রূপ ধর্মেয়ু ও সন্নতেয়ু; এবং কৃচেয়ু—এগুলি ‘মতিনারক’ নামে নরক-ভেদ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Moral instruction through naraka taxonomy; used in preaching, vrata-kathā contexts, and ethical reflection on karmic consequences.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Naraka-nāma-saṅgraha (Ghṛteyu, Citeyu, Sthaṇḍileyu, Dharmeyu, Sannateyu, Kṛceyu)","lookup_keywords":["Naraka","Ghrteyu","Citeyu","Sthandileyu","Dharmeyu"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates specific hell-realms by name as part of karmic consequence teaching; functions as a mnemonic list within the naraka–puṇya discourse."}
Concept: Karma-phala: unethical acts lead to specific naraka experiences; naming hells strengthens moral recollection.
Application: Employ as a cautionary recitation in dharma discourse; motivates restraint (yama/niyama-like conduct) and merit-making acts.
Khanda Section: Naraka–Punya-viveka (Descriptions of hells and karmic consequences)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Cosmic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dark cosmic landscape with labeled hell-realms as distinct pits or zones—oil/ghṛta-like mire, ash/pyre imagery, bare ground (sthaṇḍila), and punitive guardians—presented as a didactic map.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: segmented underworld panel with six compartments labeled Ghṛteyu, Citeyu, Sthaṇḍileyu, Dharmeyu, Sannateyu, Kṛceyu; yamadūtas with stylized forms; dramatic reds and blacks, strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: symbolic rather than gruesome—six gold-framed compartments with dark enamel-like backgrounds; Yama’s emblem above; ornate borders, minimal violence, emphasis on didactic labeling.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional cosmography chart with neat compartments and captions; restrained depiction of punishments; clear visual taxonomy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: allegorical underworld scene with multiple vignettes in one page; fine detail, subdued palette; calligraphed labels for each naraka name."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"grave","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नामपदानि visarga/sandhi-normalized; कृचेयुर्मतिनारकः→kṛceyuḥ matinārakaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Naraka–puṇya sections (hell descriptions and corresponding sins/merits)
FAQs
This verse imparts classificatory knowledge: it enumerates specific Naraka (hell) names used in the Agni Purana’s karmic-ethical mapping of sins to consequences.
By cataloging named hell-realms as part of a systematic taxonomy, it functions like an index of moral jurisprudence (dharma-adharma outcomes), a hallmark of the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic style.
Remembering and understanding such Naraka classifications reinforces moral restraint: actions (karma) have definite consequences, and dharmic conduct is urged to avoid suffering after death.