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
ຕໍ່ມາ ເມກພາຍຸເກີດຂຶ້ນໃນຮູບຫຼາຍຢ່າງ ມີຟ້າຜ່າວາບວາບ; ຝົນຕົກຕໍ່ເນື່ອງຮ້ອຍປີ ເພື່ອດັບໄຟທີ່ລຸກຂຶ້ນ.
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.