Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 23
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
आकाशस्याथ वै शब्दं भूतादिर्ग्रसते च खं अभिमानात्मकं खञ्च भूतादिं ग्रसते महान्
ākāśasyātha vai śabdaṃ bhūtādirgrasate ca khaṃ abhimānātmakaṃ khañca bhūtādiṃ grasate mahān
आकाशस्याथ वै शब्दं भूतादिर्ग्रसते च खम्। अभिमानात्मकं खञ्च भूतादिं ग्रसते महान्॥
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Provides a Sankhya-style dissolution ladder: shabda into bhutadi, akasha into bhutadi, then into ahamkara, and onward into mahat; used for tattva-viveka and laya meditation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Tattva-Laya: Shabda→Bhutadi; Akasha→Ahamkara; Bhutadi→Mahat","lookup_keywords":["shabda","bhutadi","ahamkara","mahat","tattva-laya"],"quick_summary":"Sound (shabda) and ether are reabsorbed into the elemental source (bhutadi); egoity (ahamkara) absorbs ether, and the Great principle (mahat) absorbs bhutadi—showing progressive return to subtler causes."}
Concept: Causal regression of experience: sensory field (shabda/akasha) resolves into bhutadi, then into ahamkara (abhimana), and onward into mahat—highlighting ego as a key knot in manifestation.
Application: Self-inquiry: trace ‘I’-sense (abhimana) as the absorber of experiential space; practice loosening identification so that cognition returns toward mahat/prakriti rather than proliferating objects.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Tattva (Cosmology of the Mahabhutas and Ahamkara)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A layered cosmic diagram: sound waves fade into a primordial matrix (bhutadi), ether collapses inward, then a luminous ‘I’-knot (ahamkara) absorbs the remaining space; above it, a vast intellect-field (mahat) draws bhutadi into itself.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural cosmology panel: concentric layers labeled शब्द, आकाश, भूतादि, अहङ्कार, महत्; stylized sound ripples dissolving into a seed-like source; bold outlines, sacred geometry feel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: icon-like concentric tattva mandala with gold embossing for ahamkara and mahat; sound ripples in relief; rich colors, ornamental frame, didactic cosmology aesthetic.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional mandala with sequential arrows शब्द→भूतादि, आकाश→अहङ्कार, भूतादि→महत्; soft gradients, precise calligraphy, classroom-plate clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined allegorical scene—musicians’ sound dissolving into abstract ether, then into a central ‘ego’ jewel, then into a vast luminous intellect-sky; delicate detailing and subtle symbolism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhūtādir = bhūtādiḥ (visarga sandhi); bhūtādirgrasate = bhūtādiḥ + grasate; khañca = khaṃ + ca; abhimānātmakaṃ = abhimāna-ātmakam (compound).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 367.24 (mahabhuta-laya); Agni Purana 367.25 (mahat into prakriti)
FAQs
It imparts Sāṅkhya-based tattva-vidyā: the technical order of dissolution (laya) where sound and ether are absorbed into bhūtādi (ahaṃkāra), and bhūtādi is absorbed into mahat.
Beyond rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves systematic metaphysics—mapping subtle principles (tanmātras, ahaṃkāra, mahat) and cosmic processes (pralaya) in a concise, technical sequence.
By understanding that sensory qualities and elements resolve back into subtler principles, the practitioner is guided toward vairāgya (dispassion) and insight into impermanence—supporting liberation-oriented contemplation rather than attachment to sense-objects.