Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 33
Adhyāya 375 — समाधिः
Samādhi
पुनरावर्तने वीजभूता धर्मप्रवर्तकाः सप्तर्षिनाग्वीथ्याश् च देवलोकं समाश्रिताः
punarāvartane vījabhūtā dharmapravartakāḥ saptarṣināgvīthyāś ca devalokaṃ samāśritāḥ
प्रलय के पश्चात् पुनरावर्तन के समय, सृष्टि-बीज रूप धर्म के प्रवर्तक—सप्तर्षि तथा नागवीथी—देवलोक का आश्रय लेते हैं।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Frames dharma-transmission as a cosmic institution: in teaching, ritual calendars, and lineage narratives one can situate Saptarshi authority as the 'seed' continuity across pralaya/recurrence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Saptarshi as Dharma-seeds at Cosmic Recurrence","lookup_keywords":["punaravartana","saptarshi","dharma-pravartaka","devaloka","nagavithi"],"quick_summary":"At cosmic recurrence, the Saptarshis—carriers of dharma—abide in Devaloka as the seed-principle for re-establishing order in the next cycle."}
Concept: Dharma is conserved across pralaya through rishi-lineages functioning as bijabhuta (seed-cause) for the next manifestation.
Application: Use rishi-parampara and manvantara frameworks to contextualize scriptural authority and dharma-restoration narratives.
Khanda Section: Sarga-Pralaya Cosmology (Manvantara cycles, Saptarshi tradition, Dharma transmission)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic recurrence tableau: the universe dissolving into waters, while the Seven Sages as luminous figures ascend/abide in Devaloka as the seed of the next creation; a celestial path labeled Nāgavīthī arcs across the sky.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep mineral colors, stylized clouds and lotus-waters of pralaya, seven rishis with jata-mukuta and kamandalu glowing, Devaloka palace motifs, a serpentine star-path (Nāgavīthī) across the upper register, sacred calm, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Devaloka mandapa with gold foil halos, seven rishis seated on lotus pedestals holding kamandalu and akshamala, pralaya waters below in blue-green, ornate borders, rich reds and greens, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, soft shading, instructional labels for 'Saptarshi' and 'Nāgavīthī', layered cosmic bands (waters, mid-sky, Devaloka), delicate jewelry and textiles, calm luminous palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed celestial court of Devaloka, seven ascetics rendered with fine brushwork, starry band as Nāgavīthī, swirling pralaya waters at bottom margin, intricate architectural background, subdued jewel tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: punarāvartane → punar-āvartane (avyayībhāva); saptarṣināgvīthyāś → sapta-ṛṣi-nāga-vīthyāḥ; samāśritāḥ = sam-ā-śritāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana cosmology sections on sarga-pralaya and manvantara enumeration; Agni Purana passages on Saptarshi/Manu succession and dharma-pravartana
FAQs
It conveys a cosmological doctrine: at cyclical recurrence (punarāvartana), dharma is re-seeded through designated transmitters (the Saptarṣi and associated celestial groups) who abide in Devaloka, ensuring continuity of sacred law across cycles.
It adds a compact cosmological datum linking pralaya/recurrence, the institutional preservation of dharma, and the role of the Saptarṣi—one of the Purāṇa’s many cross-disciplinary entries spanning theology, cosmography, and dharma-history.
The takeaway is that dharma is not accidental but divinely safeguarded across dissolutions; aligning with dharma connects one to an eternal, cycle-transcending order maintained by sages and higher realms.