Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 26
Chapter 108 — भुवनकोषः
Bhuvana-kośa: The Structure of the Worlds
मेरोः पश्चिमदिग्भागे यथा पूर्वे तथा स्थितौ त्रिशृङ्गो रुधिरश् चैव उत्तरौ वर्षपर्वतौ
meroḥ paścimadigbhāge yathā pūrve tathā sthitau triśṛṅgo rudhiraś caiva uttarau varṣaparvatau
An der Westseite des Berges Meru sind, wie an der Ostseite, die beiden nördlichen Varṣa-Berge Triśṛṅga und Rudhira gelegen.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic cosmography to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Directional symmetry around Meru: correlating east–west descriptions to maintain a consistent cosmographic schema.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Western Side of Meru: Northern Varṣa-Mountains Triśṛṅga and Rudhira","lookup_keywords":["Meru west","Triśṛṅga","Rudhira","uttara varṣa-parvata","directional symmetry"],"quick_summary":"Identifies Triśṛṅga and Rudhira as the two northern varṣa-mountains on Meru’s western side, paralleling the eastern arrangement."}
Concept: Sāmya (correspondence) of directional descriptions—east mirrored by west in loka-varṇana.
Application: Helps students cross-check cosmographic lists by symmetry: what is stated for one direction is echoed in the opposite.
Khanda Section: Bhuvana-kosha / Jambudvipa-Bhūgolavidyā (Cosmography and Sacred Geography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Meru at center with the western quadrant highlighted; two northern mountains on that side labeled Triśṛṅga (three-peaked) and Rudhira (reddish).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: central Meru, western quadrant emphasized with warm tones; Triśṛṅga shown as three distinct peaks, Rudhira as a red-tinged mountain; labels in Devanagari, decorative cosmic border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Meru with gold relief; Triśṛṅga as triple jeweled peaks, Rudhira with ruby-red highlights; ornate frame, sacred-map aesthetic.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: neat quadrant diagram around Meru; western side annotated; Triśṛṅga drawn with three peaks, Rudhira shaded red; clear labels and arrows.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: panoramic landscape with Meru central; to the west, a tri-peaked ridge and a red mountain; fine calligraphy labels, delicate shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पश्चिमदिग्भागे = पश्चिम-दिक्-भागे; त्रिशृङ्गो = त्रि-शृङ्गः; रुधिरश् चैव = रुधिरः + च + एव; वर्षपर्वतौ = वर्ष-पर्वतौ
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 108 (eastern-side parallels referenced by ‘yathā pūrve tathā’)
FAQs
This verse imparts bhūgolavidyā (Purāṇic cosmography): it maps the named Varṣa-parvatas (regional boundary mountains) around Mount Meru, specifying their directional placement.
By cataloging geographical features (directions, mountain names, and their arrangement), it functions like a reference index of the Purāṇic world-system—one of the Agni Purana’s major encyclopedic domains alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts.
In Purāṇic tradition, knowing and reciting the sacred layout of Meru and its surrounding regions supports tīrtha-bhāvanā (sacred visualization) and strengthens dhārmic worldview, aiding devotion through contemplation of cosmic order (ṛta/dharma).
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