Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 4
Chapter 114 — Gayā-māhātmya
The Greatness of Gayā
गताः शून्या मही स्वर्गे देवा ब्रह्मादयः सुराः सिद्धिमाप्नुयुरिति झ तत्तपस्तापितैर् इति ग , घ , झ च ब्रह्मादयः पुनः इति ख , ग , घ , ङ , छ , ज झ च गता ऊचुर्हरिं देवाः शून्या भूस्त्रिदिवं हरे
gatāḥ śūnyā mahī svarge devā brahmādayaḥ surāḥ siddhimāpnuyuriti jha tattapastāpitair iti ga , gha , jha ca brahmādayaḥ punaḥ iti kha , ga , gha , ṅa , cha , ja jha ca gatā ūcurhariṃ devāḥ śūnyā bhūstridivaṃ hare
Als Erde und Himmel verödet waren, gingen die Götter — an der Spitze Brahmā — zu Hari und sprachen: „O Hari, die Erde und der dreifache Himmel (tridiva) sind leer, ihres rechten Gefüges beraubt.“
The Devas (led by Brahmā), addressing Hari (Vishnu)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Models crisis-response: when cosmic order collapses, devas seek refuge in Hari through collective supplication (deva-śaraṇāgati).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Devas appeal to Hari when earth and heaven become desolate","lookup_keywords":["deva-stuti","cosmic crisis","tridiva empty","Brahma leads gods","sharanagati"],"quick_summary":"With the worlds bereft of order, Brahmā and the gods approach Hari and petition him to restore cosmic balance—an archetype for communal prayer in times of disorder."}
Alamkara Type: Ukti (direct speech) with Karuṇa-prayoga (lament)
Concept: Śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) and īśvara-prārthanā as means to restore order when human/divine agency is insufficient.
Application: In collective crises, perform stuti, saṅkalpa, and dhārmic correction rather than despair; seek stabilizing principles (dharma) embodied by Hari.
Khanda Section: Puranic Narrative (Deva-stuti and cosmic crisis; appeals to Hari/Vishnu)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā and the assembled devas approach Hari, lamenting that earth and the heavens are empty and disordered.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Brahmā with four faces leading devas in folded hands before Hari; background shows dimmed, emptied celestial city and barren earth; rich ornamentation and stylized clouds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore gold-work, Hari enthroned with radiant prabhāmaṇḍala; Brahmā and devas in procession offering prayers; symbolic empty palaces and faded lotuses to show desolation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, orderly grouping of devas with expressive faces; inscription-like speech band ‘śūnyā bhūḥ tridivaṃ’; calm yet urgent palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed assembly scene; celestial architecture receding; devas in varied attire; Hari as central luminous figure; subtle depiction of deserted landscapes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऊचुः हरिम् = ऊचुः + हरिम्; भूः त्रिदिवम् = भूः + त्रिदिवम्. The manuscript markers (क, ख, ग, घ, ङ, छ, ज, झ) are editorial and excluded from pada analysis.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 114 (deva-prārthanā sequence leading to Gayā sacrifice motif)
FAQs
This verse is primarily narrative (itihasa-puranic): it conveys the protocol of devas seeking refuge in Hari/Vishnu during cosmic disorder, rather than prescribing a specific ritual or medical procedure.
It exemplifies the Purana’s coverage of cosmology and divine administration—how disruptions in loka-order prompt divine petition and restoration—alongside its many technical sections (ritual, polity, medicine, arts).
The verse underscores śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) in Hari as the stabilizing principle of dharma: in times of collapse, turning to the preserver is portrayed as the correct spiritual response.
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