Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 1
Chapter 17 — सृष्टिविषयकवर्णनम्
An Account Concerning Creation
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये बुद्धकल्क्यवतारवर्णनं नाम षोडशो ऽध्यायः अथ सप्तदशो ऽध्यायः सृष्टिविषयकवर्ननम् अग्निर् उवाच जगत्सर्गादिकान् क्रीडान् विष्णोर्वक्ष्येधुना शृणु स्वर्गादिकृत् स सर्गादिः सृष्ट्यादिः सगुणोगुणः
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye buddhakalkyavatāravarṇanaṃ nāma ṣoḍaśo 'dhyāyaḥ atha saptadaśo 'dhyāyaḥ sṛṣṭiviṣayakavarnanam agnir uvāca jagatsargādikān krīḍān viṣṇorvakṣyedhunā śṛṇu svargādikṛt sa sargādiḥ sṛṣṭyādiḥ saguṇoguṇaḥ
Assim, no Agni Purāṇa, conclui-se o décimo sexto capítulo, “A Descrição dos Avatāras de Buda e de Kalki”. Agora começa o décimo sétimo capítulo, “Exposição sobre a Criação”. Agni disse: Ouve agora; descreverei as ações lúdicas sagradas (līlā) de Viṣṇu, começando pela emanação do universo. Ele é o criador do céu e do restante; é a fonte da criação e do que se segue, o iniciador da manifestação—ao mesmo tempo com atributos (saguṇa) e além de atributos (nirguṇa).
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Serves as a chapter colophon and cosmological proem: introduces sṛṣṭi teaching and frames Viṣṇu as both saguna and nirguna; used for structured study of Purāṇic cosmogony and Vedāntic reconciliation.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sṛṣṭi-Prakaraṇa Proem: Viṣṇu as Source of Creation—With and Beyond Attributes","lookup_keywords":["sṛṣṭi-prakaraṇa","sarga","saguṇa-nirguṇa","Agni uvāca","cosmogony"],"quick_summary":"The text transitions from avatāra narration to creation doctrine, presenting Viṣṇu’s ‘play’ as the origin of sarga while affirming a theology that is both personal (saguṇa) and transcendent (nirguṇa)."}
Alamkara Type: Prastāvanā (proem/introductory framing)
Concept: Reconciliation of saguṇa and nirguṇa: the same Viṣṇu is describable as creator and yet beyond qualities; creation as līlā (play).
Application: Approach cosmology with both devotion (personal deity) and inquiry (transcendent principle); use the ‘līlā’ lens to reduce existential anxiety about change.
Khanda Section: Cosmology & Creation (Sṛṣṭi-prakaraṇa / Puranic cosmogony)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A manuscript-like transition scene: the end-title of chapter 16, then Agni speaking to the listener; behind Agni, a vast cosmic tableau begins—heavenly realms and the first stirrings of creation emanating from Viṣṇu, shown both as a personal form and as an abstract radiance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Agni (sage/deity) seated as narrator with palm-leaf manuscript; behind him, Viṣṇu as radiant cosmic form from whom lotus-worlds emerge; include a decorative band noting ‘sṛṣṭi’ theme; bold outlines, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: Agni as teacher in foreground; above, Viṣṇu with gold halo and an emanating lotus-cosmos; incorporate embossed gold for the cosmic radiance and heavenly architecture motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional proem—Agni addressing the student; a clear cosmology diagram (emanation sequence) subtly integrated; soft colors, fine linework, labeled cartouches for sarga/sṛṣṭi.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly setting with Agni discoursing; background opens into a detailed cosmological panorama—Svarga courts, clouds, and a luminous Viṣṇu radiance; meticulous brushwork and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् → इति; षोडशो 'ध्यायः → षोडशः अध्यायः; सप्तदशो 'ध्यायः → सप्तदशः अध्यायः; अग्निर् उवाच → अग्निः उवाच; विष्णोर्वक्ष्येधुना → विष्णोः वक्ष्ये अधुना; सगुणोगुणः → स-गुणः अ-गुणः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 16 (chapter colophon: Buddha–Kalki avatāra); Agni Purana 17 (sṛṣṭi-vivarana to follow: sarga, tattvas, lokas—contextual)
FAQs
This verse initiates the cosmogonic teaching (sarga/sṛṣṭi-vicāra), framing creation as Viṣṇu’s divine “sport” and establishing the theological lens (saguṇa and nirguṇa) used to interpret subsequent cosmology.
It marks a structured transition from avatāra-narrative to systematic cosmology—showing how the Agni Purāṇa compiles multiple knowledge-domains (theology, metaphysics, and creation theory) in chapter-wise, topic-labeled form.
Hearing creation as Viṣṇu’s līlā-like activity and recognizing Him as both with and beyond attributes supports devotion and right understanding (jñāna-bhakti), which purifies worldview and aligns one’s karma with dharma.