Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 9
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
अम्बरीषमिवाभाति त्रैलोक्यमखिलं तथा ततस्तापरीतास्तु लोकद्वयनिवासिनः
ambarīṣamivābhāti trailokyamakhilaṃ tathā tatastāparītāstu lokadvayanivāsinaḥ
इस प्रकार समस्त त्रैलोक्य भट्ठी के समान दहकता हुआ प्रतीत हुआ; तब दोनों लोकों के निवासी तीव्र ताप से पीड़ित हो गए।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Vivid phenomenology of pralaya-heat (loka-tāpa): supports teaching on cosmic catastrophe imagery and the suffering of beings under extreme heat, often used to motivate refuge-seeking and dharmic conduct.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Trailokya as a blazing furnace (loka-tāpa)","lookup_keywords":["ambārīṣa","loka-tāpa","trailokya","dahana","tāpa-parīta"],"quick_summary":"The three worlds are likened to a blazing furnace; beings in the worlds are overwhelmed by scorching heat. The verse supplies a concrete simile for pralaya’s oppressive thermal affliction."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Saṃsāra and cosmic cycles entail unavoidable suffering; security in worlds is fragile.
Application: Encourages ethical living and spiritual practice as preparation for impermanence and crisis.
Khanda Section: Cosmology and Eschatology (Loka-dahana / Heat and affliction of the worlds)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The cosmos depicted as a gigantic furnace: red-hot sky, glowing earth, beings shielding themselves from heat, air shimmering with thermal haze.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, entire scene bathed in vermilion and soot-black gradients, stylized flames licking the horizons, figures of devas and humans distressed by heat, strong contour lines and rhythmic flame motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, furnace-like cosmic background with gold highlights for heat shimmer, small clustered figures in supplication, ornate borders contrasting with the fiery field, embossed gold for glowing edges","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, controlled composition showing ‘ambārīṣa’ furnace metaphor: a large brazier-like cosmic oval with lokas inside, beings shown with gestures of distress, clean lines and explanatory labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic heat haze over landscapes and skies, detailed figures wiping sweat and seeking shade, glowing red-orange palette with fine gilded accents to suggest incandescent air"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Marwa","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: amabarīṣamivābhāti → ambarīṣam iva ābhāti; trailokyamakhilam → trailokyam akhilam; tatastāparītāstu → tataḥ tāpa-parītāḥ tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana pralaya heat descriptions near 367.7–367.10; Agni Purana cosmology passages describing the three worlds and their inhabitants
FAQs
It conveys cosmological knowledge (loka-tattva): a technical Purāṇic image of the worlds becoming furnace-like, indicating a phase of cosmic affliction that precedes larger transformative events.
Beyond rituals and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa also documents cosmology and end-of-cycle phenomena; this verse is a compact example of its systematic coverage of cosmic states (trailokya conditions and their effects on beings).
The furnace-like heat symbolizes the overpowering force of cosmic time and consequence; it underscores impermanence and motivates dharmic living and devotion as safeguards amid world-afflictions.