Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 32
Adhyaya 120 — भुवनकोषः
Bhuvanakośa: Cosmic Geography and Cosmological Measures
गन्धर्वैर् अप्सरोभिश् च ग्रामणीसर्पराक्षसैः हिमोष्णवारिवर्षाणां कारणं भगवान् रविः
gandharvair apsarobhiś ca grāmaṇīsarparākṣasaiḥ himoṣṇavārivarṣāṇāṃ kāraṇaṃ bhagavān raviḥ
Durch das Wirken der Gandharvas und Apsaras, ebenso der Grāmaṇīs, der Schlangen und der Rākṣasas, wird der erhabene Ravi (die Sonne) zur wirksamen Ursache von Kälte, Hitze und dem Herabregnen des Wassers.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic-encyclopedic knowledge to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Explains seasonal/meteorological causation via solar agency mediated by celestial beings; supports ritual calendars and agricultural timing by linking sun to heat/cold/rain cycles.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Ravi as cause of cold, heat, and rain through celestial agencies","lookup_keywords":["Ravi","himoṣṇa","varṣa","Gandharva","Apsaras","Nāga","Rākṣasa"],"quick_summary":"Attributes climatic phenomena—cold, heat, and rainfall—to the Sun’s operative power, described as working through classes of celestial beings; frames weather as a sacral-cosmic process."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Natural phenomena are governed by a primary cosmic principle (Sun) operating through intermediary agencies; integrates observable nature with sacred cosmology.
Application: Plan vrata/ritual timings and agrarian activities with solar seasons; cultivate reverence for natural cycles as dharmic order.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Cosmology (Surya-vidya / Natural Phenomena)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The Sun as a divine orb/personified Ravi, with attendant celestial beings (Gandharvas, Apsarases, Nāgas, Rākṣasas, Grāmaṇīs) channeling rays into zones of cold, heat, and rain clouds releasing water.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Ravi with radiant halo, surrounding bands showing snow/cold, blazing heat, and monsoon rain, celestial attendants in traditional attire, dynamic cloud motifs, saturated colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central golden Ravi with embossed rays, three panels around: frost, heat, rain; attendants as small jeweled figures, heavy gold ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic triptych composition: hima/ushna/varsha labeled, Ravi at center, attendants arranged by function, soft shading and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic clouds and rain, delicate depiction of musicians/dancers as Gandharvas/Apsarases, serpentine Nāgas, dramatic light from the sun, refined detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Suryakant","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gandharvair → gandharvaiḥ (ḥ + a sandhi); apsarobhiś → apsarobhiḥ (ḥ + c sandhi); himoṣṇa- → hima-uṣṇa-; vārivarṣāṇām treated as vāri+varṣāṇām.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 120 (Surya-vidya / natural phenomena subsection)
FAQs
It conveys Surya-vidyā/Jyotiṣa-style causation: the Sun is the primary operative cause behind climatic effects (cold, heat, rainfall), working through specified classes of beings as secondary agents.
Beyond mythic narration, it systematizes natural processes (seasonal heat/cold and rain) within a cosmological framework—typical of the Agni Purana’s wide scope that includes astronomy/astrology, cosmography, and explanations of worldly phenomena.
It frames climate and rain as governed by divine order (Ravi and attendant beings), encouraging reverence for Surya and recognition of dharma-based cosmic regulation rather than viewing nature as random.