Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 10
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
गाचन्ति ते महर्लोकं महर्लोकाज्जनं ततः रुद्ररूपी जगद्दग्ध्वा मुखनिश्वासतो हरेः
gācanti te maharlokaṃ maharlokājjanaṃ tataḥ rudrarūpī jagaddagdhvā mukhaniśvāsato hareḥ
They proceed to Maharloka; from Maharloka, then to Janaloka. Assuming the form of Rudra, Hari burns the universe by the out-breath issuing from his mouth.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic cosmology to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Describes loka-migration during pralaya (ascent to Maharloka then Janaloka) and the mechanism of destruction by Hari as Rudra via out-breath; used to teach cosmic refuge-hierarchy and divine agency in dissolution.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ascent to Maharloka and Janaloka; Hari as Rudra burns by out-breath","lookup_keywords":["maharloka","janaloka","hari-rudra-rūpa","mukha-niśvāsa","jagad-dahana"],"quick_summary":"Beings move upward to Maharloka and then Janaloka for safety, while Hari, taking Rudra-form, incinerates the universe through the out-breath from his mouth. The verse links cosmological ‘evacuation’ with a single divine destructive agency."}
Concept: Unity of divine functions: Hari can manifest as Rudra for dissolution; higher lokas represent relative, not absolute, safety within cyclic time.
Application: Directs the seeker from reliance on ‘higher states’ toward ultimate liberation beyond loka-cycles; encourages sādhanā aimed at mokṣa rather than mere heavenly ascent.
Khanda Section: Pralaya and Lokagati (Cosmology / Eschatology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Streams of beings rising upward toward luminous Maharloka and Janaloka, while below Hari in fierce Rudra-form exhales a torrent that burns the universe.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, tiered lokas with ascending figures in graceful arcs, Hari-Rudra at center with intense eyes and flaming breath, deep reds and gold-ochres, stylized clouds separating lokas, sacred dramatic narrative","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Hari-Rudra composite form with ornate jewelry and gold halo, embossed gold for the out-breath flame, upper registers showing Maharloka and Janaloka as serene golden realms with sages, strong devotional framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional cosmology tableau: arrows showing movement to Maharloka then Janaloka, Hari-Rudra emitting breath as a labeled stream, refined linework and calm upper-loka palette contrasting fiery lower scene","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, vertical composition with delicate figures ascending through cloud bands to bright celestial terraces, central deity exhaling a stylized wind-fire plume, meticulous architectural detailing for higher lokas, subtle gilding"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gācanti → normalized to gacchanti; maharlokājjanaṃ → maharlokāt janam; jagaddagdhvā → jagat dagdhvā; mukhaniśvāsato → mukha-niśvāsataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana loka-krama descriptions (Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka, Satyaloka); Agni Purana passages on Viṣṇu-Rudra identity and pralaya agency
FAQs
It imparts cosmological knowledge about loka-transition during pralaya—beings move upward to Maharloka and then Janaloka, while dissolution occurs through the divine destructive function (Hari assuming Rudra-aspect).
It catalogs a precise map of higher worlds (Maharloka, Janaloka) and integrates theology (Hari–Rudra identity in dissolution), showing the text’s coverage of metaphysics alongside other applied sciences.
The verse frames pralaya as divinely governed and orderly: the righteous or qualified ascend to higher lokas, while the cosmos is purified through the consuming fire of divine exhalation—encouraging dharmic living aimed at higher states of existence.