Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 19
Chapter 370: नरकनिरूपणम्
Naraka-nirūpaṇa) — Description of Hell (with the physiology of dying and the subtle transition
अष्टाविंशतिकोटीनां पञ्च पञ्च च नायकाः रौरवाद्याः शतञ्चैकं चत्वारिंशच्चतुष्टयं
aṣṭāviṃśatikoṭīnāṃ pañca pañca ca nāyakāḥ rauravādyāḥ śatañcaikaṃ catvāriṃśaccatuṣṭayaṃ
ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತೆಂಟು ಕೋಟಿ (ನರಕ ವಿಭಾಗಗಳಿಗೆ) ನಾಯಕರು ಐದು ಐದು ಗುಂಪುಗಳಾಗಿ ಇದ್ದಾರೆ. ರೌರವ ಮೊದಲಾದ ನರಕಗಳು ನೂರೊಂದು; ಜೊತೆಗೆ ನಲವತ್ತ್ನಾಲ್ಕಿನ ಒಂದು ಸಮೂಹವೂ ಇದೆ.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Understanding the ‘administration’ of Naraka: rulers/overseers and categorized divisions; used in dharma teaching, narrative exposition, and ritual fear-appeal for ethical compliance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Naraka-Vibhāga: Nāyaka (Overseers) and Counts (Raurava etc.)","lookup_keywords":["Raurava","nāraka-nāyaka","śata-eka","catuścatvāriṃśat","naraka-vibhāga"],"quick_summary":"States that vast naraka divisions have designated leaders in grouped sets, and gives key counts (101 hells beginning with Raurava, plus an additional set of 44), presenting an organized underworld taxonomy."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (numerical enumeration)
Concept: Retribution is not random: karmic consequence is systematized into named realms with overseers and graded categories.
Application: Adopt dhārmic conduct; when teaching ethics, use the structured naraka taxonomy as a deterrent and as a framework for prāyaścitta discourse.
Khanda Section: Naraka-vibhaga (Description of Hells and their Administration)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bureaucratic underworld tableau: labeled hell ‘Raurava’ at the forefront, with multiple chambers behind; groups of nāyakas (overseers) seated like judges, tallying divisions ‘101’ and an additional ‘44’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Raurava hell scene with fiery pit, nāyaka-judges in a row holding palm-leaf ledgers, segmented chambers behind, bold reds and blacks, didactic labels, dramatic expressions","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate framed depiction of Yama-like overseers (nāraka-nāyakāḥ) with gold foil crowns, Raurava chamber below, count inscriptions ‘101’ and ‘44’ integrated into border cartouches","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-meets-scene: overseers in orderly groups (five and five), neat labeled compartments for hell divisions, calm linework, emphasis on enumeration","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ‘underworld administration’ scene: judges on a dais, scribes recording, Raurava pit illustrated in lower register, fine detailing and marginal numeric notes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved: शतञ्चैकम् = शतम् + च + एकम्; चत्वारिंशच्चतुष्टयम् = चत्वारिंशत् + चतुष्टयम् (with -c- sandhi). रौरवाद्याः segmented as रौरव-आद्याः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 370 (nāraka taxonomy; preceding realm names; subsequent administrative details if present)
FAQs
This verse imparts enumerative cosmological knowledge: the counted classes of Narakas (hell-realms) and the notion that they have appointed nāyakas (overseers), organized in groups.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s cataloguing style—systematically listing afterlife geography, administrative structure (rulers/overseers), and standardized counts—alongside its many other disciplines (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics).
By quantifying Narakas and their governance, the text underscores karmic accountability: actions lead to specific consequences within an ordered moral universe, encouraging restraint and dharmic conduct.