Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 9
Granthaprasthāvanā (Preface): Sāra of Knowledge, Twofold Brahman, and the Purpose of Avatāras
पुराणं परमाग्नेयं ब्रह्मविद्याक्षरं परम् ऋग्वेदाद्यपरं ब्रह्म सर्वदेवसुखावहम्
purāṇaṃ paramāgneyaṃ brahmavidyākṣaraṃ param ṛgvedādyaparaṃ brahma sarvadevasukhāvaham
ಈ ಪರಮ ಆಗ್ನೇಯ ಪುರಾಣವು ಪರಮ ಅಕ್ಷರವಾದ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮವಿದ್ಯೆ. ಇದು ಋಗ್ವೇದಾದಿ ವೇದಗಳಿಗೂ ಮೀರಿದ ಪರಬ್ರಹ್ಮಸ್ವರೂಪವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಎಲ್ಲ ದೇವತೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಸುಖ-ಕಲ್ಯಾಣವನ್ನು ತರುವದು.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana, traditionally to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Functions as a text-māhātmya: motivates recitation/hearing by asserting the Purāṇa’s status as imperishable brahma-vidyā and as a source of universal well-being.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Agneya Purāṇa as Akṣara Brahma-vidyā (textual māhātmya)","lookup_keywords":["Agneya Purāṇa","brahma-vidyā","akṣara","Ṛgveda","sarva-deva-sukha"],"quick_summary":"The verse praises the Agneya Purāṇa as supreme, imperishable Brahman-knowledge, transcending ordinary scriptural divisions and promoting the welfare of all divine powers—thereby legitimizing its encyclopedic scope."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti
Concept: Śāstra as a vehicle of akṣara (imperishable) knowledge that supports cosmic order and divine welfare.
Application: Engage in regular śravaṇa/pāṭha as a dhārmic act believed to generate maṅgala (well-being) for self and community.
Khanda Section: Agni Purana Mahatmya / Grantha-paricaya (Textual Praise and Identification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic depiction of the Agneya Purāṇa as a radiant manuscript embodying imperishable Brahma-knowledge, revered by devas.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, a glowing palm-leaf manuscript on a lotus pedestal, devas offering flowers and lamps, warm ochres and reds, ornate temple border motifs, serene sacred aura.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, manuscript on throne-like pedestal with heavy gold leaf radiance, symmetrical devas with ārati lamps, rich jewel tones, embossed gold detailing emphasizing ‘akṣara’ brilliance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined manuscript stand with clear calligraphic title ‘Āgneya’, devas and sages in orderly rows, soft colors, didactic composition highlighting the book as central icon.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, illuminated manuscript with gilded margins in a divine court, devas in fine garments presenting offerings, intricate floral background, naturalistic shading and detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Compounds are lexicalized; no external sandhi requiring split beyond standard compound segmentation.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 1.10 (bhukti-mukti fruit of recitation/hearing)
FAQs
It identifies the Agni Purana as brahma-vidyā—supreme, imperishable knowledge of Brahman—establishing the text’s authority as a foundational source for applied dharma and spiritual instruction.
By declaring itself a supreme repository of brahma-vidyā and a source of universal benefit, the verse frames the Purana as a comprehensive knowledge-compendium that can legitimately encompass diverse disciplines (ritual, governance, medicine, arts) under a unifying spiritual authority.
Revering and studying this Purana is presented as spiritually elevating because it is linked to imperishable Brahman-knowledge and is said to generate auspicious welfare (sukha) that supports divine and cosmic harmony.