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
ในปฐมกาลมีไฟเพียงหนึ่งเดียว ด้วยไฟนั้นเองยุคเตรตาจึงเริ่มดำเนิน ปุรูรวัสผู้มั่นคงในโยคะได้ไปสู่โลกแห่งคันธรรพะ
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.