Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 16
Chapter 17 — सृष्टिविषयकवर्णनम्
An Account Concerning Creation
सप्तैते जनयन्ति स्म प्रजा रुद्राश् च सत्तम द्विधा कृत्वात्मनो देहमर्धेन पुरुषो ऽभवत् अर्धेन नारी तस्यां स ब्रह्मा वै चासृजत् प्रजाः
saptaite janayanti sma prajā rudrāś ca sattama dvidhā kṛtvātmano dehamardhena puruṣo 'bhavat ardhena nārī tasyāṃ sa brahmā vai cāsṛjat prajāḥ
हे सत्तम, हे सात आणि रुद्रगण प्रजा उत्पन्न करतात. त्याने आपले शरीर दोन भागांत विभागले; अर्ध्याने तो पुरुष झाला आणि अर्ध्याने नारी; आणि त्या नारीमध्ये त्या ब्रह्माने खरोखर प्रजांची सृष्टी केली।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Explains procreation as both r̥ṣi-generated lineage and archetypal androgynous division (male/female halves) enabling further creation; used in teaching gender complementarity and metaphysical unity behind duality.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Progeny from Saptarṣi and Rudras; Brahmā’s Division into Male–Female for Creation","lookup_keywords":["Saptarṣi","Rudra","ardha-nārī","Brahmā","prajā-sṛṣṭi"],"quick_summary":"The verse states that the seven sages and Rudras generate progeny, and that Brahmā divides into male and female halves, creating beings through the female half—an archetype for duality emerging from one source."}
Concept: Non-dual source expressing as complementary duality (male/female) to enable manifestation; progeny as unfolding of one reality into many through ordered agencies (r̥ṣis, rudras).
Application: Contemplation on unity behind gendered duality; ethical-social application in honoring complementary roles while recognizing shared origin and dignity.
Khanda Section: Sarga-Prakriya (Cosmogony and Genealogy of Creation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Seven sages and Rudras generating beings; central dramatic moment: Brahmā divides into two halves—one male, one female—standing as a single symmetrical figure, then creation emanates from the female half as streams of living forms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central split-form Brahmā (left male, right female) with clear costume contrast, surrounding Saptarṣi and Rudras as haloed figures, emanating small beings in stylized rows, bold outlines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, split-form Brahmā with heavy gold work, jeweled ornaments differing by side, lotus base, surrounding sages and Rudras with gold halos, creation depicted as small gilded figures emerging, symmetrical devotional composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined split-body iconography with careful linework, didactic layout showing sequence: sages/Rudras → split-form → beings, soft colors with restrained gold highlights.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant androgynous Brahmā rendered with fine textiles and jewelry, sages and Rudras in a courtly yet ascetic assembly, small creatures emerging in a flowing diagonal, detailed background flora and sky."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved: सप्तैते→सप्त एते; देहमर्धेन→देहम् अर्धेन; पुरुषोऽभवत्→पुरुषः अभवत्; चासृजत्→च असृजत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sarga passages on creation through mind, speech, and body; Agni Purana Śiva-related sections where Ardhanārī/dual principles may be thematically echoed
FAQs
This verse conveys sṛṣṭi-vidyā (cosmogonic doctrine): the principle of creation through differentiation—division into male and female—and subsequent generation of prajā (beings), including the role of Rudras and Brahmā in progeny-production.
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s coverage of foundational cosmology (sarga) alongside later practical disciplines—by grounding ritual, dharma, and lineage traditions in a structured creation narrative involving deities (Rudras, Brahmā) and the emergence of living beings.
It frames procreation and worldly multiplicity as arising from a sacred, divinely ordered process; recognizing creation as Brahmā’s ordained act supports a dharmic view of life, lineage, and duty as aligned with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma).