Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 24
Chapter 108 — भुवनकोषः
Bhuvana-kośa: The Structure of the Worlds
तौ दक्षिणोत्तरायामावानीलनिषधायतौ गन्धमादनकैलासौ पूर्ववचायतावुभौ
tau dakṣiṇottarāyāmāvānīlaniṣadhāyatau gandhamādanakailāsau pūrvavacāyatāvubhau
Ces deux chaînes de montagnes, s’étendant selon l’axe sud–nord, sont Nīla et Niṣadha ; et de même, vers l’orient, les deux sont Gandhamādana et Kailāsa.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Purāṇic cosmographic mapping of Jambūdvīpa for recitation, pilgrimage imagination, and traditional geographic orientation around Meru.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Jambūdvīpa Mountain-Ranges: Nīla–Niṣadha; Gandhamādana–Kailāsa","lookup_keywords":["Nīla","Niṣadha","Gandhamādana","Kailāsa","Meru-directional ranges"],"quick_summary":"Names and directional placement of key mountain ranges in Jambūdvīpa: Nīla–Niṣadha aligned south–north, and Gandhamādana–Kailāsa aligned to the east."}
Concept: Lokasaṃsthāna—ordered structure of the world with directional symmetry.
Application: Use as a mnemonic map for Purāṇic cosmology during pāṭha, kathā, and traditional teaching of bhuvana-kośa.
Khanda Section: Bhūgola & Jambūdvīpa-Varnana (Cosmography/Geography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Mountain-range
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic sacred map of Jambūdvīpa with Mount Meru central; mountain ranges labeled Nīla and Niṣadha running south–north, and Gandhamādana and Kailāsa placed toward the east.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet ornate cosmographic panel: central golden Meru, surrounding blue oceans, green mountain bands labeled in Devanagari—Nīla, Niṣadha, Gandhamādana, Kailāsa; rich reds/ochres, decorative borders, sacred-map composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central Meru embossed with gold foil, stylized mountain ranges as jeweled ridges; inscriptions for Nīla, Niṣadha, Gandhamādana, Kailāsa; luminous halos and ornamental frame, devotional cartographic aesthetic.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clean instructional cosmography diagram with delicate linework; Meru at center, directional arrows, neatly painted mountain belts and labels; muted palette with precise annotations.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed landscape-map hybrid with layered mountains and calligraphic labels; Meru central, eastern ranges highlighted; fine brushwork, atmospheric perspective, cartouche-style captions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दक्षिणोत्तरायामौ = दक्षिण-उत्तर-आयामौ; आवानीलनिषधायतौ = आवाम् + अव-नील-निषध-आयतौ (आवाम् पदपूरणार्थक-अव्ययम्); गन्धमादनकैलासौ = गन्धमादन-कैलासौ (द्वन्द्व); पूर्ववचायतावुभौ = पूर्ववत् + आयतौ + उभौ
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 108 (Bhuvana-kośa/Jambūdvīpa-varṇana); Agni Purāṇa sections on Meru and varṣa-vibhāga (adjacent verses)
FAQs
It imparts cosmographic knowledge (bhūgola-vidyā) by mapping key Purāṇic mountain ranges by directional orientation (north–south and east), used in traditional descriptions of Jambūdvīpa.
By cataloging sacred geography—mountains and their directional layout—the text functions as a reference compendium alongside its other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics), demonstrating the Purāṇa’s encyclopedic scope.
Remembering and reciting sacred geographical features (like Kailāsa) is traditionally regarded as purifying and devotion-enhancing, directing the mind toward tīrtha-bhāva (reverence for sacred realms) and dharmic orientation.