Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 30
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
विस्तारो योजनानान्तु कोटिरस्य शताहता अत्रैवान्तर्गता ज्ञेया योनयो ऽपि चतुर्दश
vistāro yojanānāntu koṭirasya śatāhatā atraivāntargatā jñeyā yonayo 'pi caturdaśa
Son étendue est d’un koṭi de yojanas, multiplié cent fois ; et, en son sein même, il faut comprendre que les quatorze «yonis» (ordres/matrices de naissance) y sont contenues.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana frame-dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Use puranic cosmographic measures (yojana extents) and the doctrine of fourteen yonis as a framework for teaching creation-order, ethical reflection on rebirth, and ritual storytelling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Cosmic extent and the fourteen yonis contained within","lookup_keywords":["yojana extent","koṭi","śatāhata","caturdaśa yoni","loka-vistāra"],"quick_summary":"The text gives a vast cosmographic measure and states that the fourteen orders/wombs of birth are contained within that domain, linking spatial cosmology with the taxonomy of rebirth."}
Concept: Macrocosm–microcosm linkage: spatial magnitude of the world-system and the complete set of birth-wombs (yonis) within it.
Application: Pedagogical cosmology for dharma discourse: situate beings in a graded birth-system to encourage ethical conduct and aspiration for higher births/liberation.
Khanda Section: Bhugola & Loka-Vistara (Cosmography / Puranic Geography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Cosmic region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmographic diagram showing an immense measured expanse annotated with yojana numbers, inside which a wheel or list of fourteen yonis is depicted as nested categories.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular cosmogram with concentric bands, bold inscriptions of large numbers, inner ring showing 14 yoni icons (gods, humans, animals, birds, reptiles, plants, spirits), earthy palette and temple-diagram symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted cosmographic wheel, central panel labeled ‘caturdaśa yoni’, ornate borders, miniature vignettes for each yoni class, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional cosmography: measured scale bars for yojanas, a neatly arranged list/diagram of 14 yonis within a bounded field, fine annotations and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, an astronomer-cosmographer presenting a large painted chart with yojana measures; within it, small naturalistic studies of beings representing the fourteen yonis, with elegant marginal calligraphy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: atraiva → atra eva; yonayo 'pi → yonayaḥ api.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84 (loka-vistāra and yoni-bheda sequence continuing in 84.31–84.32)
FAQs
It gives cosmographic technicalities: the scale of a cosmic region in yojanas (crore × hundred) and a taxonomy note that the fourteen yonis (orders of birth) are encompassed within that domain.
Alongside ritual and dharma topics, the Agni Purana preserves quantitative cosmology (traditional units like yojana, large-number arithmetic like koṭi × śata) and classificatory doctrine (the fourteen yonis), showing its wide, reference-like scope.
By situating all embodied births (the fourteen yonis) within a single cosmic order, it reinforces the Purāṇic view that saṃsāra is structured and knowable—encouraging detachment and right conduct aimed at liberation beyond repeated birth.