Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 14
Somavaṁśa-varṇanam
Description of the Lunar Dynasty
एको ऽग्निरभवत् पूर्वं तेन त्रेता प्रवर्तिता पुरूरवा योगशीलो गान्धर्वलोकमीयिवान्
eko 'gnirabhavat pūrvaṃ tena tretā pravartitā purūravā yogaśīlo gāndharvalokamīyivān
ஆதியில் ஒரே அக்னி இருந்தது; அதனால் திரேதா யுகம் இயக்கம் பெற்றது. யோகநெறியில் நிலைத்த புரூரவன் கந்தர்வலோகத்திற்குச் சென்றான்.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Provides a cosmological marker linking Agni (fire) with yuga-progression and a yogic king’s ascent to Gandharva realms; used in teaching puranic cosmogony and loka-theory.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Primordial single Agni and the commencement of Tretā; Purūravas’ Gandharva ascent","lookup_keywords":["eka-agni","Treta-yuga","yoga-shila","Gandharva-loka","yuga-pravritti"],"quick_summary":"States a cosmogonic idea: a primordial single Fire precedes differentiated order and is tied to yuga-activation; Purūravas, disciplined in yoga, reaches Gandharva-loka."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa (supporting statement) / cosmological assertion; also Dīpti imagery
Concept: Agni as a primordial ordering principle; yoga as a means of loka-gamana (attaining higher realms).
Application: Encourages disciplined sadhana (yoga) and frames cosmology for ritual worldview (Agni centrality in yajna and cosmic order).
Khanda Section: Puranic Itihasa-Vamsha (Cosmogony and Royal/Genealogical Narratives)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic scene: a single primordial flame in darkness giving rise to the Tretā age; Purūravas in yogic posture ascending toward a luminous Gandharva realm filled with musicians.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vast dark ground with one towering stylized flame (Agni) at center, yuga-wheel motif emerging, Purūravas as ascetic-king in padmasana rising on a lotus path toward Gandharvas with vīṇā","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central gold-embossed Agni flame with ornate prabhavali, yuga symbols around, Purūravas with royal crown yet yogic posture, Gandharva-loka as gilded cloud-palace with musicians","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic composition: left panel ‘Eka Agni’, right panel ‘Treta pravritti’, upper panel Gandharva-loka with instruments; fine linework and labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night-sky cosmology with a singular flame, Purūravas depicted as a meditating king on a terrace, ascending via a beam of light to a celestial pavilion of Gandharvas"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एकोऽग्निः = एकः + अग्निः; अग्निरभवत् = अग्निः + अभवत्; गान्धर्वलोकम् = गान्धर्व + लोकम्; लोकमीयिवान् = लोकम् + ईयिवान्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana—cosmology/yuga descriptions; Agni Purana—yoga/dhyana instructions (where present); Agni Purana—Agni-mahatmya passages
FAQs
It conveys a cosmological-ritual principle: Agni (fire) is foundational to ordered time and sacrificial culture, and the Tretā-yuga is characterized by the activation of structured rites centered on fire.
It links cosmogony (the primacy of Agni), yuga-theory (the commencement of Tretā), and itihāsa/genealogy (Purūravas’ movement to Gandharva realms), illustrating how the Agni Purana weaves theology, chronology, and royal narrative into a single compendium.
It implies that alignment with Agni (sacred order and disciplined practice) and yogaśīlatā can elevate one’s destination—symbolized here by Purūravas attaining Gandharva-loka—indicating merit accrued through disciplined, dharmic life.