Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 3
Chapter 108 — भुवनकोषः
Bhuvana-kośa: The Structure of the Worlds
जम्बूद्वीपो द्वीपमध्ये तन्मध्ये मेरुरुच्छ्रितः चतुरशीतिसाहस्रो भूयिष्ठः षोडशाद्विराट्
jambūdvīpo dvīpamadhye tanmadhye merurucchritaḥ caturaśītisāhasro bhūyiṣṭhaḥ ṣoḍaśādvirāṭ
Au milieu des continents se trouve Jambūdvīpa ; et en son centre même s’élève le mont Meru—haut de quatre‑vingt‑quatre mille yojana, avec seize mille yojana supplémentaires formant sa partie supérieure proéminente.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic cosmography to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Gives the axial model of the world with Meru at the center and its measurements; used for cosmographic visualization and traditional unit/scale imagination (yojana-based).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jambūdvīpa-centered Meru: height 84,000 yojanas with 16,000 prominent upper portion","lookup_keywords":["Meru height","Jambūdvīpa center","84,000 yojana","16,000 yojana","bhuvana-kośa"],"quick_summary":"Places Mount Meru at the center of Jambūdvīpa and provides its canonical dimensions, supporting the puranic axis-mundi model of bhū-maṇḍala."}
Concept: Centering (madhya) and ascent: the cosmos is organized around a stable axis, mirroring inner steadiness in contemplation.
Application: Meditative visualization: place the mind at the ‘center’ and ascend in awareness; use Meru imagery in dhyāna and cosmological recitation.
Khanda Section: Puranic Cosmography (Bhuvana-kośa: Jambūdvīpa and Mount Meru)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand central Mount Meru rising from the middle of Jambūdvīpa, with a clear scale annotation: 84,000 yojanas tall and an emphasized 16,000 yojana upper prominence; surrounding land hinted as concentric regions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, towering stylized Meru with tiered bands, central placement, lotus base, surrounding Jambūdvīpa ring, bold outlines, minimal perspective, sacred diagram feel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Meru as a gilded central mountain with gold-leaf highlights on the upper 16,000 portion, jeweled strata, divine aura at summit, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional cross-section of Meru with labeled measurements, soft gradients, precise tiers, small surrounding Jambūdvīpa map inset.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed mountain rendered with naturalistic textures yet diagrammatic labels, scholars measuring with a scale, central composition with delicate border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मेरुरुच्छ्रितः → मेरुः + उच्छ्रितः; तन्मध्ये → तत् + मध्ये (सन्धिः/समासवत् प्रयोगः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 108 (bhuvana-kośa: Meru and Jambūdvīpa description)
FAQs
It imparts cosmographical knowledge (bhuvana-kośa): the placement of Jambūdvīpa at the center and the traditional measurements describing Mount Meru’s height and prominent upper extent.
By preserving a systematic map of the cosmos—continents and the axial mountain Meru—this verse exemplifies the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope beyond ritual, extending into geography, measurement, and cosmology.
Knowing and contemplating sacred geography (especially Meru as the cosmic axis) supports dharmic worldview and devotional orientation, framing pilgrimage, ritual imagination, and meditation within a sanctified cosmic order.