Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 5
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
स्थितो जलानि पिवति भानोः सप्तसु रश्मिषु भूपातालसमुद्रादितोयं नयति संक्षयं
sthito jalāni pivati bhānoḥ saptasu raśmiṣu bhūpātālasamudrāditoyaṃ nayati saṃkṣayaṃ
ພຣະອາທິດຢູ່ໃນລັງສີເຈັດສາຍຂອງຕົນ ແລ້ວດື່ມນໍ້າທັງຫຼາຍ; ຈາກແຜ່ນດິນ ຈາກປາຕາລ (ໂລກໃຕ້) ແລະຈາກມະຫາສະໝຸດ ພຣະອາທິດດຶງນໍ້າຂຶ້ນ ແລະເຮັດໃຫ້ມັນຫຼຸດລົງ (ເປັນໄອ).
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic cosmology to Vasiṣṭha in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Explains a cosmological hydrological cycle via solar agency—useful for integrating astronomical/solar doctrine with seasonal and cosmic narratives.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sūrya’s Seven Rays and the Drinking of Waters (Evaporation Motif)","lookup_keywords":["sūrya","sapta-raśmi","jala-pāna","samudra","pātāla"],"quick_summary":"The Sun, through seven rays, draws up waters from earth, nether regions, and oceans, diminishing them—an explanatory mechanism for drought and pralaya conditions."}
Concept: Cosmic order operates through intelligible agencies (Sūrya and rays) connecting realms; dissolution has mechanisms, not mere chaos.
Application: Contemplate interdependence of elements (tejas drawing ap/jala); supports disciplined observation of nature as a gateway to scriptural cosmology.
Khanda Section: Cosmology & Jyotiṣa (Solar rays, evaporation cycle, loka-topography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Cosmic-Region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sūrya enthroned in the sky with seven distinct rays reaching down like channels, drawing water vapor from oceans, rivers, and subterranean realms; waters visibly recede.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large radiant Sūrya with stylized face and crown; seven bold rays extend to ocean waves, rivers, and a cutaway of pātāla caverns; water shown as curling motifs being pulled upward; warm reds and gold-ochres, strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Sūrya with embossed gold halo and seven ray-bands in gold; lower register shows ocean and earth with receding waterlines; decorative lotuses and ornate frame; high contrast between gold rays and deep blue sea.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, semi-diagrammatic: Sūrya above with seven labeled rays; arrows indicating water drawn from bhū, pātāla, samudra; clean composition, fine detailing, instructional aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, luminous sun disc with personified Sūrya; seven delicate rays like translucent ribbons pulling mist from sea and land; detailed shoreline and subterranean cutaway; subtle color gradients and meticulous texture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Suryakant (or Lalit)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: bhūpātālasamudrāditoyaṃ→bhū-pātāla-samudra-ādi-toyam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 367.4 (drought as pralaya sign); Agni Purana: Jyotiṣa/astronomy-related passages on Sūrya and time-measure; Agni Purana: loka-topography descriptions (bhū, pātāla, samudra)
FAQs
It conveys cosmological-jyotiṣa knowledge: the Sun, through its seven rays, absorbs (evaporates) water from earth, oceans, and subterranean realms—an early Purāṇic model of the water-cycle.
Alongside rites and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves natural philosophy and astronomy; this verse explains a physical process (water depletion/evaporation) using Purāṇic cosmography (Bhū–Pātāla–Samudra) and solar-ray theory.
By presenting the Sun as a cosmic regulator who sustains order through measured absorption of waters, it supports a dhārmic worldview in which understanding natural order (ṛta) fosters reverence and right conduct.