Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 29
Adhyaya 120 — भुवनकोषः
Bhuvanakośa: Cosmic Geography and Cosmological Measures
एतद्विष्णुपदं दिव्यं तृतीयं व्योम्नि भास्वरं निर्धूतदोषपङ्कानां यतीनां स्थानमुत्तमं
etadviṣṇupadaṃ divyaṃ tṛtīyaṃ vyomni bhāsvaraṃ nirdhūtadoṣapaṅkānāṃ yatīnāṃ sthānamuttamaṃ
Ceci est le Viṣṇu-pada divin : le troisième domaine, éclatant dans le ciel, la demeure suprême des yatis (ascètes) dont la boue des fautes a été entièrement secouée.
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Meditative orientation toward Viṣṇu-pada as the goal of mokṣa; ethical purification (doṣa-kṣaya) as prerequisite for higher states.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Viṣṇu-pada as the third radiant abode (yati-sthāna)","lookup_keywords":["Viṣṇu-pada","tṛtīya-vyoman","yati-sthāna","doṣa-nirdhūta","mokṣa-dharma"],"quick_summary":"Defines Viṣṇu-pada as a luminous, higher celestial station reserved for ascetics who have shaken off moral and mental impurities; frames liberation as purification culminating in a supreme locus."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Mokṣa as doṣa-nirdhūta (complete purification) culminating in attainment of the supreme abode (Viṣṇu-pada).
Application: Adopt yama-niyama, vairāgya, and dhyāna with the explicit telos of doṣa-kṣaya and steady contemplation of the highest padam.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Tirtha & Loka-Varnana (Vishnupada and higher abodes)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Sacred
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant celestial realm labeled Viṣṇu-pada, high in the sky, with serene ascetics (yatis) whose bodies and minds appear purified, standing or seated in meditation amid luminous space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep mineral colors, luminous sky-vault, Viṣṇu-pada as a radiant mandala-like realm, calm yatis with folded hands and meditation postures, ornate but restrained divine aura, traditional linework","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central radiant Viṣṇu-pada halo with embossed gold leaf, serene ascetics below in white garments, stylized clouds, rich reds and greens, devotional symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate shading, instructional clarity: labeled 'Viṣṇu-pada' in Devanagari, ascetics depicted with minimal ornament, soft gold highlights, calm celestial gradient","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine brushwork, layered sky bands, small figures of ascetics on a luminous terrace in the heavens, subtle halos, detailed textiles, restrained palette with bright focal glow"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: etad+viṣṇupadam → etadviṣṇupadam; sthānam+uttamam → sthānamuttamam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 120 (Vishnupada-loka-varnana context)
FAQs
It conveys mokṣa-vidyā in cosmological terms: the identification of Viṣṇu-pada as a luminous, higher realm attained by ascetics purified of moral defects.
By mapping spiritual attainment onto a structured cosmology (graded realms such as a “third” heavenly station) and linking soteriology (purification and renunciation) with loka-varṇana (description of worlds).
It teaches that liberation-oriented status is conditioned by inner purification—faults are likened to mud, and only when that impurity is removed do ascetics reach the supreme Viṣṇu-pada.