Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 8
Adhyaya 120 — भुवनकोषः
Bhuvanakośa: Cosmic Geography and Cosmological Measures
गुरोर्द्विलक्षतः सौरित्ल्लक्षात्सप्तर्षयः शनेः लक्षाद् ध्रुवो ह्य् ऋषिभ्यस्तु त्रैलोक्यञ्चोच्छ्रयेण च
gurordvilakṣataḥ sauritllakṣātsaptarṣayaḥ śaneḥ lakṣād dhruvo hy ṛṣibhyastu trailokyañcocchrayeṇa ca
In einer Entfernung von zwei Lakṣas von Guru (Jupiter) befindet sich Sauri (Saturn); in einer Entfernung von einer Lakṣa von Śani (Saturn) stehen die Sieben Weisen (Saptarṣis). Eine Lakṣa jenseits der Weisen ist Dhruva (der Polarstern); und darüber, noch höher aufragend, liegt die dreifache Welt (trailokya).
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Completes the Purāṇic ladder from Jupiter to Saturn to Saptarṣis to Dhruva and the higher worlds; used for cosmographic teaching and ritual visualization of the northern sky axis.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Outer measures: Śani, Saptarṣi-maṇḍala, Dhruva, and the higher worlds","lookup_keywords":["Śani","Saptarṣi","Dhruva","lakṣa distance","trailokya"],"quick_summary":"States distances outward: Saturn two lakṣas beyond Jupiter; Saptarṣis one lakṣa beyond Saturn; Dhruva one lakṣa beyond the Sages; above lies the higher rise of the three worlds."}
Concept: Hierarchy of celestial stations culminating in a stable axis (Dhruva) and higher lokas; order and stability in the universe.
Application: Meditative visualization of Dhruva as steadiness (dhruvatā) for mental focus; pedagogical mapping of the northern sky in traditional cosmography.
Khanda Section: Jyotiṣa (Astronomy & Cosmography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Cosmic-Region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic ascent diagram: Jupiter then Saturn, then the seven-star Saptarṣi cluster, then the fixed Dhruva star above, with the three worlds rising beyond—emphasizing the northern celestial axis.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, night-sky band with Saptarṣi as seven sage-figures/stars, Dhruva as a bright fixed star above, grahas below in tiers, rich indigo background, sacred cosmology framing","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Dhruva as a central bright star medallion with gold radiance, Saptarṣis as seven gilded points or sage icons, Saturn and Jupiter below, layered cosmic bands with ornate gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear tiered schematic with star cluster and pole star, subtle labels implied, calm instructional composition showing distances (2 lakṣa, 1 lakṣa), precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined celestial chart with delicate stars, Saptarṣi cluster rendered as seven luminous points with tiny sage silhouettes, Dhruva emphasized, elegant border and measured spacing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: guroḥ dvi-lakṣataḥ → gurordvilakṣataḥ; sauriḥ lakṣāt → sauritllakṣāt (gemination/assimilation); lakṣāt sapta-ṛṣayaḥ → lakṣātsaptarṣayaḥ; lakṣāt dhruvaḥ → lakṣād dhruvaḥ; hi ṛṣibhyaḥ tu → hy ṛṣibhyastu; trailokyam ca ucchrayeṇa → tráilokyañcocchrayeṇa (ca + u- with palatalization/ñ)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dhruva/Saptarṣi mentions in cosmography; Agni Purana: trailokya/loka descriptions
FAQs
It gives a Jyotiṣa-cosmographic mapping of relative distances: Jupiter → Saturn → Saptarṣis → Dhruva, using the unit lakṣa, situating celestial bodies within the Purāṇic vertical universe.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa preserves technical cosmology—planetary ordering, constellations, and the Dhruva-loka framework—showing it functions as a compendium that includes astronomy and universe-modeling.
By locating Dhruva and the Saptarṣis in the cosmic hierarchy, the verse reinforces the idea of an ordered universe governed by dharma, where contemplation of higher realms (like Dhruva-loka) supports devotion, steadiness, and merit through right understanding.