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
ਸੂਰਜ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੱਤ ਕਿਰਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਥਿਤ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਉਹ (ਸੂਰਜ) ਜਲ ਪੀ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਧਰਤੀ, ਪਾਤਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਆਦਿ ਤੋਂ ਪਾਣੀ ਖਿੱਚ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਘਟਾਅ ਵੱਲ ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਰਥਾਤ ਸੁਕਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
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.