Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 18
Sargaviṣayaka-varṇana — The Topics of Primary Creation
Sarga
कन्या च निकृतिस्ताभ्यां भयन्नरकेमेव च माया च वेदना चैव मिथुनन्त्विदमेतयोः
kanyā ca nikṛtistābhyāṃ bhayannarakemeva ca māyā ca vedanā caiva mithunantvidametayoḥ
കന്യായും നികൃതിയും—ഇവ രണ്ടും നരകങ്ങളാണ്; ഇവയിൽ നിന്ന് ഭയാൻ-നരകവും ഉദ്ഭവിക്കുന്നു. മായയും വേദനയും കൂടെ നരകങ്ങളാണ്; ഈ രണ്ടും ഒരു യುಗ്മമായി (മിഥുനമായി) നിർദ്ദേശിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Cataloguing narakas (hells) for ethical instruction and karmic deterrence; supports vrata/dharma discourse by naming consequences.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Naraka Names: Kanyā, Nikṛti, Bhayan-naraka, Māyā, Vedanā (Paired Set)","lookup_keywords":["Naraka","Kanyā","Nikṛti","Bhayan-naraka","Vedanā"],"quick_summary":"Lists specific hells and indicates paired/grouped classification; used as a mnemonic index for karmic retribution sections."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (enumeration)
Concept: Actions have structured consequences; naraka taxonomy functions as a moral map to discourage wrongdoing.
Application: Use as reflective deterrence in daily conduct; align behavior with dharma to avoid ‘bhaya’ and ‘vedanā’ outcomes.
Khanda Section: Naraka-varnana (Descriptions of hells and karmic retribution)
Primary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: Bibhatsa
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grim cartography of hells: chambers labeled Kanyā and Nikṛti giving rise to a terrifying Bhayan-naraka; alongside, a paired depiction of Māyā and Vedanā as twin torment realms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic naraka panorama with stylized flames and dark reds, labeled compartments for Kanyā/Nikṛti/Bhayan-naraka/Māyā/Vedanā, Yama’s presence implied, strong narrative clarity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, framed panels like a moral tableau, gold borders contrasting with dark infernal scenes, symbolic rather than gory depiction, inscriptions naming each naraka.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic ‘map of narakas’ with paired boxes for Māyā–Vedanā, restrained depiction emphasizing classification, fine linework and readable labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural cross-section of underworld chambers with calligraphic labels, controlled palette, narrative figures showing fear and pain without excessive gore, meticulous detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निकृतिस्ताभ्यां = निकृतिः + ताभ्याम्; भयन्नरकेमेव = भयत् + नरके + एव; चैव = च + एव; मिथुनन्त्विदम् = मिथुनम् + तु + इदम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana naraka-varṇana sections (within/around adhyāya 20 context)
FAQs
It provides classificatory knowledge used in Purāṇic dharma-teaching: naming and grouping specific Narakas (hell-realms) as part of a structured account of karmic retribution.
By cataloging Narakas with precise nomenclature and grouping (pairs/sets), it functions like a reference index within the Purāṇa’s wider compendium of subjects—ethics, cosmology, and consequences of actions.
The verse underscores that actions have specific consequences mapped to distinct states of suffering; remembering these classifications serves as a deterrent and supports ethical self-regulation (dharma) to avoid painful afterlife results.