Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 4
Adhyaya 120 — भुवनकोषः
Bhuvanakośa: Cosmic Geography and Cosmological Measures
पातालानामधश्चास्ते शेषो विष्णुश् च तामसः गुणानन्त्यात्स चानन्ततः शिरसा धारयन्महीं
pātālānāmadhaścāste śeṣo viṣṇuś ca tāmasaḥ guṇānantyātsa cānantataḥ śirasā dhārayanmahīṃ
Di bawah segala Pātāla terletak Śeṣa—juga disebut Viṣṇu dalam aspek tāmasa (kosmik). Oleh kerana sifat-sifatnya tiada bertepi, beliau dikenali sebagai Ananta; di atas kepalanya beliau menyangga bumi.
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Cosmic mapping for Purāṇic worldview; supports meditation on Viṣṇu as the ground of stability (dhāraṇa) and the layered universe.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ananta-Śeṣa beneath Pātāla upholding the Earth","lookup_keywords":["Pātāla","Ananta-Śeṣa","Viṣṇu tāmasa","bhū-dhāraṇa","nāga-śayana"],"quick_summary":"Śeṣa, identified with Viṣṇu’s cosmic tāmasa function, lies below the Pātālas and bears the Earth on his innumerable hoods—hence the name Ananta."}
Alamkara Type: Nirukti/Śleṣa (name explained by quality: ananta-guṇa → Ananta)
Concept: The cosmos rests on a transcendent support (ādhāra); the Infinite (Ananta) is indicated by endless qualities and functions.
Application: Contemplative practice: visualize the universe as upheld by the Divine to cultivate śānti and surrender (śaraṇāgati).
Khanda Section: Cosmology (Loka-Vyavastha, Pātāla and Ananta-Śeṣa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Cosmic-Region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast subterranean cosmic scene: below the Pātālas lies the infinite serpent Śeṣa with many hoods, bearing the Earth upon his head(s), suggesting immeasurable depth and stability.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep mineral colors, Ananta-Śeṣa with multiple hoods in the netherworld, Earth globe resting on the hoods, stylized waves and nāga motifs, ornate borders, sacred cosmology composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, rich reds and greens, embossed gold work highlighting the many hoods of Ananta-Śeṣa, Earth as a jeweled sphere on the serpent’s head, divine aura, symmetrical icon-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework and soft shading, instructional cosmography feel: layered Pātāla strata beneath, Ananta-Śeṣa centered supporting Earth, labels implied by composition, calm luminous palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed subterranean landscape with patterned serpent coils, multiple hoods rendered delicately, Earth depicted as a small orb, precise ornamentation, atmospheric depth and courtly finesse"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pātālānām adhaḥ ca āste → pātālānāmadhaścāste; viṣṇuḥ ca → viṣṇuś ca; guṇa-ānantyāt saḥ ca anantataḥ → guṇānantyātsa cānantataḥ; dhārayan mahīm → dhārayanmahīm
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Loka-vyavasthā / Pātāla-varṇana sections; Agni Purana: Viṣṇu-tattva and nāga/Ananta references (where present)
FAQs
This verse imparts cosmological knowledge (loka-vyavasthā): the location of Śeṣa/Ananta beneath the Pātālas and his function as the cosmic support (dhāraṇa) of the earth.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic scope by integrating Purāṇic geography (Pātāla-lokas), Sāṃkhya-style guṇa terminology (tāmasa), and Vaiṣṇava cosmology (Śeṣa as Viṣṇu/Ananta) within a single descriptive unit.
Contemplating the cosmos as divinely sustained—earth upheld by Ananta—supports devotional reverence and a worldview of order (ṛta/dharma), encouraging humility and steadiness in spiritual practice.