Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 17
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
परार्धं द्विगुणं यत्तु प्राकृतः प्रलयः स्मृतः अनावृष्ट्याग्निसम्पर्कात् कृते संज्वलने द्विज
parārdhaṃ dviguṇaṃ yattu prākṛtaḥ pralayaḥ smṛtaḥ anāvṛṣṭyāgnisamparkāt kṛte saṃjvalane dvija
ਪਰਾਰਧ ਦਾ ਦੋਗੁਣਾ ਜੋ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਾਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਪ੍ਰਲਯ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਦਵਿਜ, ਅਨਾਵ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਅਤੇ ਅੱਗ ਦੇ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਨਾਲ ਜਦੋਂ ਦਾਹ ਉੱਠਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਦ ਉਹ ਪ੍ਰਲਯ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Interpreting Purāṇic pralaya taxonomy by linking numeric magnitudes (parārdha) with dissolution types and their causal signs (drought, fire).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Prākṛta-pralaya as Dvi-parārdha; drought-and-fire conflagration sign","lookup_keywords":["prākṛta pralaya","dvi-parārdha","anāvṛṣṭi","agni-samparka","saṃjvalana"],"quick_summary":"Twice the unit ‘parārdha’ is given as the measure for Prākṛta (primordial) dissolution; it is characterized by a world-conflagration associated with drought (absence of rain) and the spread/contact of fire."}
Concept: Prakṛti’s periodic reabsorption (pralaya) is lawful and measurable; cosmic processes unfold beyond human control.
Application: Cultivate vairāgya by contemplating dissolution cycles; read cosmological numbers as doctrinal markers rather than mere arithmetic.
Khanda Section: Pralaya-vidya (Cosmology and Dissolution Cycles)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic landscape under drought: cracked earth, darkened skies without rain, and a spreading wall of fire signifying Prākṛta dissolution, with a sage indicating the measure ‘dvi-parārdha’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized flames encircling the world, parched earth motifs, rishi and disciple (dvija) at the margin, bold contours, symbolic clouds withheld, Sanskrit caption ‘प्राकृतः प्रलयः’.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, dramatic fire halo with gold accents, the world as a circular mandala being consumed, rishi figure in corner with manuscript, ornate border, intense reds and gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative panel: drought scene with minimal clouds, controlled flames, explanatory labels for anāvṛṣṭi and agni, calm didactic composition despite catastrophic subject.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed cracked terrain and smoke plumes, figures of ascetics observing, fine gradations of flame and haze, calligraphic note ‘द्विगुणं परार्धम्’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्+तु → यत्तु; अनावृष्टि+अग्नि+सम्पर्कात् → अनावृष्ट्याग्निसम्पर्कात् (य्-आदेश);
Related Themes: Agni Purana 367.18–367.21 (pratisañcara and element-absorption sequence)
FAQs
It gives technical cosmological classification: the definition of Prākṛta-pralaya by a time-measure (twice a parārdha) and its descriptive cause as a drought-linked fire conflagration.
It exemplifies the text’s systematic cataloging of knowledge by defining precise categories of dissolution (pralaya) using numerical time units and causal descriptions, alongside other subjects the Purana covers.
By framing dissolution as a lawful cosmic process governed by time and elemental forces, it encourages detachment (vairāgya) and right living aligned with dharma in view of inevitable impermanence.