Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 20
Chapter 370: नरकनिरूपणम्
Naraka-nirūpaṇa) — Description of Hell (with the physiology of dying and the subtle transition
तामिश्रमन्धतामिश्रं महारौरवरौरवौ असिपत्रं वनञ्चैव लोहभारं तथैव च
tāmiśramandhatāmiśraṃ mahārauravarauravau asipatraṃ vanañcaiva lohabhāraṃ tathaiva ca
Ang Tāmiśra, Andhatāmiśra, Mahāraurava at Raurava, Asipatra, ang gubat ng Asipatra, at gayundin ang Lohabhāra—ito ang mga impiyerno.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Ethical restraint through vivid mapping of karmic consequences; used in pravacana/teaching to deter adharma.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Naraka-nāma-saṅgraha (Tāmiśra–Lohabhāra)","lookup_keywords":["Tāmiśra","Andhatāmiśra","Raurava","Asipatra","Lohabhāra"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates principal hell-realms as a doctrinal list; serves as a mnemonic catalogue for karma-phala instruction."}
Concept: Karma-phala and post-mortem retribution as deterrent and moral education.
Application: Use the naraka-catalogue in self-audit (ātma-parīkṣā) to avoid pāpa and cultivate yama-niyama-like restraints.
Khanda Section: Naraka-varnana (Descriptions of Hell-realms and Karmic Retribution)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic tableau listing named hell-realms: darkness (Tāmiśra), blinding darkness (Andhatāmiśra), roaring torment (Raurava/Mahāraurava), a forest of sword-leaves (Asipatra), and crushing iron burden (Lohabhāra).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep mineral reds and greens, layered underworld registers with labeled hells: Tāmiśra as pitch-black cavern, Andhatāmiśra as smoky blindness, Raurava with roaring beasts, Asipatra as sword-leaf forest, Lohabhāra with iron weights; traditional linework, flat perspective, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on iron burdens and sword-leaves, compartmentalized panels each titled with Devanagari labels of the narakas, dramatic but stylized figures, rich maroons and emeralds, embossed ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine ink outlines and soft washes, instructional chart-like composition with neat captions for each naraka, emphasis on clarity of the named realms, restrained palette, delicate detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous landscape of an underworld garden turned perilous: Asipatra sword-leaves rendered like sharp foliage, iron burdens depicted with metallic sheen, small cartouches naming Tāmiśra/Andhatāmiśra/Raurava; high detail, layered depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वनञ्चैव = वनम् + च + एव; तथैव = तथा + एव. Verse is a list of hell-names; many items appear in accusative/nominative neuter as enumeration.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Naraka-varṇana sections (adjacent verses 370.21–370.24); Agni Purana: Dharma/śrāddha/preta-related passages (general)
FAQs
It transmits classificatory knowledge of Narakas (hell-realms) by naming specific punishment domains used in Purāṇic karmic doctrine.
By cataloguing cosmological and ethical-eschatological data (names of hells), it functions like a reference list within the Purāṇa’s wide-ranging compendium of topics.
It reinforces karma-ethics by reminding listeners that harmful actions have defined post-mortem consequences mapped to specific Naraka realms.