Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 6
Prayāga-māhātmya
Conclusion Notice
द्वियोजनन्तु पूर्वं स्याद् योजनार्धं तदन्यथा वरणा च नदी चासीत् तयोर्मध्ये वाराणसी
dviyojanantu pūrvaṃ syād yojanārdhaṃ tadanyathā varaṇā ca nadī cāsīt tayormadhye vārāṇasī
ด้านตะวันออกแผ่กว้างสองโยชนะ; อีกด้านหนึ่งกว้างหนึ่งโยชนะครึ่ง. มีแม่น้ำวรณา (Varaṇā) และอสี (Asī); วาราณสีตั้งอยู่ระหว่างแม่น้ำทั้งสองนั้น
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Sacred topography for identifying Kāśī’s extent and the etymological-geographic basis of ‘Vārāṇasī’ as lying between Varaṇā and Asī rivers; useful for pilgrimage boundaries and kṣetra-nirṇaya.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vārāṇasī-Nirukti and Kṣetra-Parimāṇa (Yojana Extent)","lookup_keywords":["Vārāṇasī","Varaṇā","Asī","yojana","kṣetra-parimāṇa"],"quick_summary":"Defines the spatial extent of the sacred area in yojanas and locates Vārāṇasī between the Varaṇā and Asī rivers, giving a boundary-based understanding of the kṣetra."}
Concept: Sacredness is articulated through measurable space (parimāṇa) and natural boundaries (rivers), integrating devotion with geographic precision.
Application: Use river confluences/streams and stated extents to orient pilgrimage routes, determine kṣetra-entry/exit for vrata observances, and contextualize local tīrthas within the larger sacred boundary.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Mahatmya / Kshetra-Nirnaya (Sacred Geography of Kashi)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A map-like depiction of Vārāṇasī showing two rivers—Varaṇā and Asī—with the sacred city situated between them, annotated with yojana measurements to east and west.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized twin rivers framing a luminous city strip labeled Vārāṇasī, decorative wave motifs, temple silhouettes, minimal figures, strong outlines and earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central city icon between two flowing river bands rendered with gold accents, yojana measures shown as ornamental cartouches, rich colors and gilded borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean cartographic illustration with two rivers, directional arrows, and ‘2 yojana’ / ‘1.5 yojana’ markers; soft palette, precise linework, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: bird’s-eye riverine landscape with labeled Varaṇā and Asī, the city between, small boats and ghāṭas, fine detailing and calligraphic measurement notes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved: द्वियोजनन्तु → द्वि-योजनम् + तु; स्याद् → स्यात्; योजनार्धं → योजन-अर्धम्; तदन्यथा → तत् + अन्यथा; चासीत् → च + आसीत्; तयोर्मध्ये → तयोः + मध्ये.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Tīrtha-māhātmya: kṣetra-nirṇaya passages defining Kāśī’s limits (adhyāya 112 context)
FAQs
It gives a kṣetra-nirṇaya (technical boundary-definition) of Vārāṇasī using yojana measurements and the two delimiting rivers, Varaṇā and Asī—useful for pilgrimage orientation and sacred-topography.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical knowledge such as sacred geography and pilgrimage cartography—defining holy regions with measurable distances and identifiable natural landmarks.
By precisely identifying the sacred space of Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), the verse supports correct tirtha-observance—ensuring that rites, bathing, vows, and pilgrim practices are performed within the sanctified kṣetra believed to yield heightened religious merit.