Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 15
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
कल्पं शेते प्रबुद्धो ऽथ ब्रह्मरूपी सृजत्य् असौ द्विपरार्धन्ततो व्यक्तं प्रकृतौ लीयते द्विज
kalpaṃ śete prabuddho 'tha brahmarūpī sṛjaty asau dviparārdhantato vyaktaṃ prakṛtau līyate dvija
Ngài nằm trong tĩnh định du-già suốt một kalpa; rồi khi tỉnh dậy, mang hình tướng Brahmā, Ngài khai mở sự sáng tạo. Khi trọn hai parārdha, thế giới hiển lộ tan trở về Prakṛti, hỡi bậc lưỡng sinh.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic cosmology)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Provides a time-structured model: repose through a kalpa, awakening into Brahmā-form to create, and dissolution after two parārdhas into Prakṛti; used for Purāṇic chronology, kalpa theory, and Sāṅkhya-informed cosmology.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kalpa-cycle: creation on awakening; laya into Prakṛti after two parārdhas","lookup_keywords":["kalpa","parārdha","brahma-rūpa","sṛṣṭi","prakṛti-laya"],"quick_summary":"The Lord remains in yogic repose for a kalpa, then awakens as Brahmā to create. After two parārdhas, the manifested cosmos dissolves back into Prakṛti—an explicit Purāṇic time-and-dissolution formula."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (enumeration)
Concept: Sṛṣṭi-laya governed by the supreme through Brahmā-function; final reabsorption into Prakṛti aligns with Sāṅkhya metaphysics.
Application: Framework for understanding impermanence of worlds and the periodicity of manifestation; supports detachment and long-view dharma orientation.
Khanda Section: Srishti-Pralaya (Cosmology: Creation, Dissolution, Kalpa Theory)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequential tableau: Viṣṇu in long repose; then awakening into Brahmā-creator aspect initiating emanation of worlds; finally the universe folding back into Prakṛti as forms dissolve into a primordial matrix.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural triptych: (1) Anantaśayana repose labeled 'kalpa', (2) awakening with Brahmā-creative radiance, (3) dissolution into dark primordial Prakṛti-waters; bold outlines and traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore narrative panel with gold: central Viṣṇu and Brahmā-creation motif, surrounding medallions showing kalpa-sleep and pralaya-laya; gold embossing for cosmic symbols and time-cycles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional cosmology chart: clear three-stage sequence with Sanskrit labels 'kalpa-śayana', 'sṛṣṭi', 'prakṛtau layaḥ', fine linework and gentle colors for didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature series: elegant frames showing repose, creation with emerging spheres and lokas, and dissolution with forms fading into a subtle textured Prakṛti field; meticulous detail and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रबुद्धो ऽथ → प्रबुद्धः + अथ; सृजत्य् असौ → सृजति + असौ; द्विपरार्धन्ततो → द्विपरार्धम् + ततः (expected; text shows -न्ततो as sandhi/orthographic variant).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 367.13-14 (repose and yoga-nidrā); Agni Purana cosmology chapters on yuga/kalpa measures (general)
FAQs
It imparts cosmological time-knowledge (kāla-vicāra): how creation proceeds in kalpa cycles and how the manifest (vyakta) reabsorbs into Prakṛti at the end of vast cosmic measures like the dviparārdha.
By encoding Purāṇic chronology and Sāṃkhya-style categories (vyakta/prakṛti) within a compact verse, it showcases the text’s encyclopedic scope beyond ritual—covering metaphysics, cosmic time units, and theories of emanation and reabsorption.
It cultivates vairāgya (detachment) and right perspective by emphasizing the impermanence of manifested worlds and the supremacy of the cosmic order, encouraging spiritual practice aligned with liberation rather than transient creation.