Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 18
Sargaviṣayaka-varṇana — The Topics of Primary Creation
Sarga
कन्या च निकृतिस्ताभ्यां भयन्नरकेमेव च माया च वेदना चैव मिथुनन्त्विदमेतयोः
kanyā ca nikṛtistābhyāṃ bhayannarakemeva ca māyā ca vedanā caiva mithunantvidametayoḥ
کنیا اور نِکرتی—یہ دو دوزخ (نرک) ہیں؛ ان سے بھَیان-نرک بھی پیدا ہوتا ہے۔ مایا اور ویدنا بھی نرک ہیں؛ اور یہ دونوں ایک جوڑی (مِتھُن) کے طور پر بیان کیے گئے ہیں۔
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Cataloguing narakas (hells) for ethical instruction and karmic deterrence; supports vrata/dharma discourse by naming consequences.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Naraka Names: Kanyā, Nikṛti, Bhayan-naraka, Māyā, Vedanā (Paired Set)","lookup_keywords":["Naraka","Kanyā","Nikṛti","Bhayan-naraka","Vedanā"],"quick_summary":"Lists specific hells and indicates paired/grouped classification; used as a mnemonic index for karmic retribution sections."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (enumeration)
Concept: Actions have structured consequences; naraka taxonomy functions as a moral map to discourage wrongdoing.
Application: Use as reflective deterrence in daily conduct; align behavior with dharma to avoid ‘bhaya’ and ‘vedanā’ outcomes.
Khanda Section: Naraka-varnana (Descriptions of hells and karmic retribution)
Primary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: Bibhatsa
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grim cartography of hells: chambers labeled Kanyā and Nikṛti giving rise to a terrifying Bhayan-naraka; alongside, a paired depiction of Māyā and Vedanā as twin torment realms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic naraka panorama with stylized flames and dark reds, labeled compartments for Kanyā/Nikṛti/Bhayan-naraka/Māyā/Vedanā, Yama’s presence implied, strong narrative clarity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, framed panels like a moral tableau, gold borders contrasting with dark infernal scenes, symbolic rather than gory depiction, inscriptions naming each naraka.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic ‘map of narakas’ with paired boxes for Māyā–Vedanā, restrained depiction emphasizing classification, fine linework and readable labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural cross-section of underworld chambers with calligraphic labels, controlled palette, narrative figures showing fear and pain without excessive gore, meticulous detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निकृतिस्ताभ्यां = निकृतिः + ताभ्याम्; भयन्नरकेमेव = भयत् + नरके + एव; चैव = च + एव; मिथुनन्त्विदम् = मिथुनम् + तु + इदम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana naraka-varṇana sections (within/around adhyāya 20 context)
FAQs
It provides classificatory knowledge used in Purāṇic dharma-teaching: naming and grouping specific Narakas (hell-realms) as part of a structured account of karmic retribution.
By cataloging Narakas with precise nomenclature and grouping (pairs/sets), it functions like a reference index within the Purāṇa’s wider compendium of subjects—ethics, cosmology, and consequences of actions.
The verse underscores that actions have specific consequences mapped to distinct states of suffering; remembering these classifications serves as a deterrent and supports ethical self-regulation (dharma) to avoid painful afterlife results.