Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 18
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
महदादेर्विकारस्य विशेषान्तस्य संक्षये कृष्णेच्छाकारिते तस्मिन् सम्प्राप्ते प्रतिसञ्चरे
mahadādervikārasya viśeṣāntasya saṃkṣaye kṛṣṇecchākārite tasmin samprāpte pratisañcare
મહતથી આરંભ કરીને વિશેષો સુધીના વિકારનો ક્ષય થાય ત્યારે—કૃષ્ણની ઇચ્છાથી થતો તે પ્રતિસંચાર પ્રાપ્ત થતાં—
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic-Sāṃkhya cosmology to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Mapping Sāṅkhya tattva-evolution (mahat to viśeṣa/bhūta) onto Purāṇic reabsorption (pratisañcara) under īśvara/Viṣṇu’s will.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pratisañcara: dissolution of Mahat-to-Viśeṣa vikāra by Kṛṣṇa’s will","lookup_keywords":["mahat","vikāra","viśeṣa","pratisañcara","kṛṣṇa-icchā"],"quick_summary":"At counter-current reabsorption, the entire chain of evolutes—from Mahat down to the particularized elements—dissolves, occurring under the governing will of Kṛṣṇa (Īśvara)."}
Concept: All tattvas are contingent modifications; their dissolution is a return to causal subtlety, ultimately governed by Īśvara (Kṛṣṇa).
Application: Meditative reflection on impermanence of evolutes (vikāra) to loosen identification with body/mind and cultivate śānti.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Yoga / Cosmogony and Pralaya Doctrine (Sṛṣṭi–Pralaya-vicāra)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic cosmic reversal: layers labeled Mahat, Ahaṃkāra, tanmātras/viśeṣas flowing backward into subtlety, with Kṛṣṇa as the presiding will above the diagram.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central serene Kṛṣṇa icon with radiating bands representing tattvas, arrows reversing inward, stylized lotus-like cosmogram, minimal realism, strong symbolic color blocks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Kṛṣṇa enthroned with gold halo, concentric rings of creation drawn as ornate bands, gold embossing on the cosmogram, devotional-metaphysical tone.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional cosmology chart with Sanskrit labels (महत्, विशेष), Kṛṣṇa figure at top margin, fine lines and soft colors, classroom-like clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, philosopher-sage presenting a cosmological scroll to a patron, the scroll shows reverse arrows from elements to Mahat, Kṛṣṇa depicted in a small medallion above, detailed textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महत्+आदेः → महदादेः (त्→द्); महदादेः+विकारस्य → महदादेर्विकारस्य; कृष्ण+इच्छा+कारिते → कृष्णेच्छाकारिते (अ+इ → ए)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 367.19–367.20 (elemental absorption sequence; water/earth qualities; tejas)
FAQs
It teaches the Sāṃkhya technical model of dissolution: the evolutes beginning with Mahat and ending with the gross particularized principles (viśeṣas) are reabsorbed in a reverse process called pratisañcara, governed by the Lord’s will.
Beyond ritual and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves systematic metaphysics—mapping Sāṃkhya categories (tattvas) onto Purāṇic theism—so it functions as a compendium of cosmology, philosophy, and devotional theology in one place.
By attributing dissolution to Kṛṣṇa’s will, it frames cosmic change as divinely ordered; contemplative understanding of pralaya and detachment from evolutes supports vairāgya (dispassion) and strengthens devotion to the Supreme as the ultimate refuge.