Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 9
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
अम्बरीषमिवाभाति त्रैलोक्यमखिलं तथा ततस्तापरीतास्तु लोकद्वयनिवासिनः
ambarīṣamivābhāti trailokyamakhilaṃ tathā tatastāparītāstu lokadvayanivāsinaḥ
یوں سارا تریلوک بھٹی کی مانند دہکتا دکھائی دیا؛ پھر دونوں لوکوں کے باشندے سخت تپش سے مغلوب ہو گئے۔
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Vivid phenomenology of pralaya-heat (loka-tāpa): supports teaching on cosmic catastrophe imagery and the suffering of beings under extreme heat, often used to motivate refuge-seeking and dharmic conduct.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Trailokya as a blazing furnace (loka-tāpa)","lookup_keywords":["ambārīṣa","loka-tāpa","trailokya","dahana","tāpa-parīta"],"quick_summary":"The three worlds are likened to a blazing furnace; beings in the worlds are overwhelmed by scorching heat. The verse supplies a concrete simile for pralaya’s oppressive thermal affliction."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Saṃsāra and cosmic cycles entail unavoidable suffering; security in worlds is fragile.
Application: Encourages ethical living and spiritual practice as preparation for impermanence and crisis.
Khanda Section: Cosmology and Eschatology (Loka-dahana / Heat and affliction of the worlds)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The cosmos depicted as a gigantic furnace: red-hot sky, glowing earth, beings shielding themselves from heat, air shimmering with thermal haze.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, entire scene bathed in vermilion and soot-black gradients, stylized flames licking the horizons, figures of devas and humans distressed by heat, strong contour lines and rhythmic flame motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, furnace-like cosmic background with gold highlights for heat shimmer, small clustered figures in supplication, ornate borders contrasting with the fiery field, embossed gold for glowing edges","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, controlled composition showing ‘ambārīṣa’ furnace metaphor: a large brazier-like cosmic oval with lokas inside, beings shown with gestures of distress, clean lines and explanatory labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic heat haze over landscapes and skies, detailed figures wiping sweat and seeking shade, glowing red-orange palette with fine gilded accents to suggest incandescent air"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Marwa","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: amabarīṣamivābhāti → ambarīṣam iva ābhāti; trailokyamakhilam → trailokyam akhilam; tatastāparītāstu → tataḥ tāpa-parītāḥ tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana pralaya heat descriptions near 367.7–367.10; Agni Purana cosmology passages describing the three worlds and their inhabitants
FAQs
It conveys cosmological knowledge (loka-tattva): a technical Purāṇic image of the worlds becoming furnace-like, indicating a phase of cosmic affliction that precedes larger transformative events.
Beyond rituals and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa also documents cosmology and end-of-cycle phenomena; this verse is a compact example of its systematic coverage of cosmic states (trailokya conditions and their effects on beings).
The furnace-like heat symbolizes the overpowering force of cosmic time and consequence; it underscores impermanence and motivates dharmic living and devotion as safeguards amid world-afflictions.