Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 11
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
उत्तिष्टन्ति ततो मेधा नानारूपाः सविद्युतः शतं वर्षाणि वर्षन्तः शमयन्त्यग्निमुत्थितम्
uttiṣṭanti tato medhā nānārūpāḥ savidyutaḥ śataṃ varṣāṇi varṣantaḥ śamayantyagnimutthitam
तब विविध रूपों वाले, बिजली से चमकते मेघ उठते हैं। वे सौ वर्षों तक वर्षा करके भड़की हुई अग्नि को शांत कर देते हैं।
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic account to Sage Vasiṣṭha, traditional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Conceptual model of pralaya-sequence: heat/fire escalation followed by long-duration rains as a cosmic balancing phase; used in Purana-based teaching of cyclic time and elemental dissolution.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pralaya-megha: Hundred-year rains quelling the cosmic fire","lookup_keywords":["pralaya","megha","vidyut","śata-varṣa","agni-śamana"],"quick_summary":"In dissolution, storm-clouds with lightning arise and rain for a hundred years, extinguishing the conflagration. The passage frames pralaya as an ordered elemental counteraction (water subduing fire)."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti
Concept: Cyclic dissolution proceeds by ordered dominance of elements; opposites neutralize (āpah pacanti/śamayanti agnim).
Application: Use as contemplative reflection on impermanence and the supremacy of cosmic law (ṛta) over individual permanence.
Khanda Section: Pralaya & Cosmic Phenomena (Agni-vidya / Puranic Cosmology)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A universe-wide wildfire or blazing horizon is met by towering, many-formed storm-clouds streaked with lightning, releasing continuous sheets of rain that smother the flames.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, dramatic pralaya scene: dark indigo clouds with white lightning, torrential rain over a red-gold cosmic fire, stylized waves and swirling wind motifs, flat yet ornate composition, traditional pigment palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, cosmic fire subdued by rain: embossed gold highlights on lightning and cloud edges, deep maroon and ultramarine background, decorative borders, symbolic flames and rain rendered with rhythmic patterning","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional cosmology panel: labeled elements (agni, āpaḥ) in Sanskrit, clouds raining for 'śata-varṣa', fine linework, soft shading, calm but grand composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic pralaya landscape: detailed clouds, fine lightning filigree, rain as diagonal strokes, flames receding, subtle gradations in sky, meticulous naturalism within a cosmic allegory"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Megh Malhar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मेधा → मेघाः (contextual correction); शमयन्त्यग्निमुत्थितम् → शमयन्ति + अग्निम् + उत्थितम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 367.12-15 (continuation of pralaya-krama); Agni Purana cosmology sections on kalpa/pralaya (general)
FAQs
It conveys the Purāṇic cosmological mechanism of agni-śamana: lightning-bearing storm-clouds pour sustained rains (symbolically ‘a hundred years’) to extinguish the world-consuming fire.
Alongside rites and doctrines, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs cosmic processes—fire, cloud-formation, lightning, and deluge—presenting a systematic Purāṇic account of how destructive heat is counterbalanced by rains in dissolution narratives.
Spiritually, it emphasizes cosmic balance: even overwhelming destructive forces (agni) are ultimately pacified by higher-order regulation (rains), reinforcing faith in dharmic order governing creation and dissolution.