Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 21
Adhyaya 120 — भुवनकोषः
Bhuvanakośa: Cosmic Geography and Cosmological Measures
स च विष्णुः स्वयं ब्रह्म यतः सर्वमिदं जगत् योजनानां सहस्राणि भास्करस्य रथो नव
sa ca viṣṇuḥ svayaṃ brahma yataḥ sarvamidaṃ jagat yojanānāṃ sahasrāṇi bhāskarasya ratho nava
Et ce Viṣṇu est lui-même Brahman, de qui procède cet univers tout entier. Le char du Soleil (Bhāskara) mesure neuf mille yojanas.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana frame: Agni instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Provides a puranic astronomical measure (Sun’s chariot extent) within a Vedāntic identification of Viṣṇu as Brahman—used in cosmography and calendrical/astral storytelling contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sūrya-ratha measure and Viṣṇu as Brahman-cause","lookup_keywords":["Surya ratha","nine thousand yojanas","Vishnu Brahman","puranic astronomy","cosmography"],"quick_summary":"States the theological premise (Viṣṇu is Brahman, source of all) and gives a concrete cosmographic datum: the Sun’s chariot measures 9,000 yojanas."}
Concept: Brahma-kāraṇatva: Viṣṇu as Brahman is the ultimate source of the universe; cosmic measures are subordinate descriptions within that metaphysical frame.
Application: Use as a teaching bridge: from measurable cosmography (yojana) to the unmeasurable cause (Brahman/Viṣṇu).
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Cosmology (Surya-ratha, planetary measures, Puranic astronomy)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Type: Cosmic region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast golden solar chariot spanning immense distance, with Bhāskara seated, while a subtle overlay indicates Viṣṇu as the underlying Brahman-source of the cosmos.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Bhāskara on ornate ratha with radiant disc, stylized flames and lotus motifs, inscription '९ सहस्र योजन', faint cosmic Viṣṇu silhouette behind as Brahman, traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, brilliant gold-leaf sun disc and chariot ornaments, Bhāskara richly jeweled, embossed gold rays, small text panel '9000 yojanas', devotional grandeur","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise chariot depiction with measured annotation lines indicating length, Bhāskara calm-faced, subtle Viṣṇu aura in background, clean instructional labeling","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed chariot with horses, luminous sun disc, courtly celestial scene, marginal note indicating 'nine thousand yojanas', delicate clouds and horizon"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Suryakant (if available)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: sarvamidaṃ = sarvam + idam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana cosmography/astronomy passages on planetary chariots and measures (within Jyotiṣa sections)
FAQs
It conveys cosmological measurement (the Sun’s chariot quantified in yojanas) alongside a theological identification of Viṣṇu with Brahman—useful for Purāṇic jyotiṣa/cosmography and doctrinal framing.
It juxtaposes metaphysics (Viṣṇu as the Absolute source) with technical cosmography (numerical distance/size), illustrating how the Agni Purana integrates philosophy, astronomy-like measures, and cosmic description in a single instructional stream.
By grounding cosmic order in Brahman/Viṣṇu, the verse supports contemplative devotion and right-view (tattva-jñāna): recognizing the universe as arising from the Supreme is presented as spiritually purifying and stabilizing for dharmic practice.