Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 5
Svāyambhuva-vaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lineage of Svāyambhuva Manu
अहो ऽस्य तपसो वीर्यमहो श्रुतमहोद्भुतम् यमद्य पुरतः कृत्वा ध्रुवं सप्तर्षयः स्थिताः
aho 'sya tapaso vīryamaho śrutamahodbhutam yamadya purataḥ kṛtvā dhruvaṃ saptarṣayaḥ sthitāḥ
O weh! Wunderbar ist die Kraft seines tapas—wunderbar wahrlich das Gehörte, staunenswert: Denn heute stehen die Sieben Rishis da, indem sie Dhruva (den Polarstern) vor sich hingestellt haben.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic cosmology to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Stellar orientation and sacred cosmography: Dhruva as the fixed reference point; supports traditional sky-lore teaching and ritual directions (dik-nirṇaya) by the pole.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dhruva as Celestial Pivot; Saptarṣi Facing Dhruva","lookup_keywords":["Dhruva","Saptarshi","pole star","tapas virya","stellar mandala"],"quick_summary":"Celebrates Dhruva’s tapas-power by stating that the Seven Sages (Ursa Major) stand with Dhruva set before them—Dhruva as the cosmic reference point."}
Alamkara Type: Udgarālaṅkāra / Vismaya-udgāra (Aho)
Concept: Stability born of tapas: inner steadfastness mirrored as cosmic steadfastness (dhruvatā).
Application: Use the image of Dhruva as a meditative symbol for unwavering focus; in practical sky-lore, locate north by Dhruva for orientation.
Khanda Section: Cosmology & Sacred Geography (Dhruva, Saptarshi-mandala, stellar lore)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Celestial region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic sky tableau: Dhruva as the fixed pole star, with the Saptarṣi constellation positioned as if facing/preceded by Dhruva; the verse exclaims wonder at tapas’ power.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized night-sky mandala with bright Dhruva at center-top, Saptarṣi as seven sage-figures arranged in constellation pattern facing Dhruva, decorative cloud bands, bold colors and sacred geometry framing","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf star mandala: large radiant Dhruva star with embossed gold, seven sages as small seated figures in constellation layout, deep indigo background with gold dots, ornate border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic star-map with Dhruva highlighted, Saptarṣi labeled, gentle gradients in sky, minimalistic yet precise constellation geometry, accompanying sages in calm poses","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed astronomical night scene with a painted celestial globe feel, Dhruva as bright point, Saptarṣi as seven robed sages in the sky, fine stippling for stars, elegant margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऽस्य→अस्य; वीर्यमहो→वीर्यम् + अहो; श्रुतमहोद्भुतम्→श्रुतम् + अहो + अद्भुतम्; यमद्य→यम् + अद्य.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 18 (Dhruva-pada context); Agni Purana cosmology sections on lokas and graha-nakṣatra descriptions (where present)
FAQs
It conveys astral-cosmological knowledge: Dhruva is presented as the fixed celestial reference, with the Saptarṣis positioned relative to him—an element of Purāṇic stellar mapping rather than a ritual procedure.
By integrating mythic narrative (Dhruva’s tapas) with cosmography (the Saptarṣi-maṇḍala’s placement), it exemplifies how the Agni Purāṇa compiles theology, legend, and proto-astronomical description in a single textual stream.
It highlights tapas as a force that can elevate a devotee to an enduring, cosmic status—Dhruva’s steadfastness becomes a model of unwavering devotion and the karmic fruit of disciplined austerity.