Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 13
Chapter 367 — नित्यनैमीत्तिकप्राकृतप्रलयाः
The Nitya, Naimittika, and Prākṛta Dissolutions
वायुं पीत्वा हरिः शेषे शेते चैकार्णवे प्रभुः ब्रह्मरूपधरः सिद्धैर् जलगैर् मुनिभिस्तुतः
vāyuṃ pītvā hariḥ śeṣe śete caikārṇave prabhuḥ brahmarūpadharaḥ siddhair jalagair munibhistutaḥ
吸摄诸生命之风（vāyu）后，主哈利（Hari）卧于舍沙（Śeṣa）之上，安住在那唯一遍包万有的大海中；他取梵天（Brahmā）之形，受悉达（Siddha）与居水之牟尼诸圣所赞颂。
Lord Agni (teaching the puranic cosmology to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Teaches pralaya endpoint: absorption of vāyu and the Lord’s repose on Śeṣa in ekārṇava; used for theological cosmology, meditation on Nārāyaṇa as ground of being, and narrative framing of creation cycles.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hari absorbs vāyu and rests on Śeṣa in the Ekārṇava","lookup_keywords":["ekārṇava","śeṣa-śayyā","vāyu-pāna","hari","brahma-rūpa"],"quick_summary":"At dissolution, Hari absorbs the vital airs and lies upon Śeṣa in the single cosmic ocean. He is praised by Siddhas and aquatic sages, and is poised to assume Brahmā-form for the next creation."}
Alamkara Type: Dhvani
Concept: Laya (reabsorption) of prāṇa/vāyu into the supreme; the Lord as substratum who remains when tattvas dissolve.
Application: Contemplation on dissolution of sensory-vital activity into still awareness; supports meditative visualization of Anantaśayana as inner steadiness.
Khanda Section: Cosmology & Vishnu-Narayana Tattva (Pralaya, Srishti-krama)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A boundless dark-blue ocean fills the cosmos; Viṣṇu reclines on the many-hooded Śeṣa, having drawn in the winds; Siddhas hover in reverence while aquatic sages rise from the waters offering praise.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Anantaśāyin Viṣṇu on coiled serpent with multiple hoods, stylized waves, Siddhas as small flying figures with folded hands, aquatic ṛṣis with matted hair emerging from water, rich greens and blues","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: reclining Viṣṇu with heavy gold ornamentation, Śeṣa hoods embossed in gold, deep sapphire ocean, Siddhas and sages in symmetrical arrangement, ornate arch-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined Anantaśayana with delicate shading, emphasis on calm face and rhythmic serpent coils, minimal background to convey ekārṇava vastness, small captioned figures of Siddhas and jalagāḥ munayaḥ","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: expansive ocean with subtle ripples, Viṣṇu reclining on serpent rendered with fine scales, hovering Siddhas in pastel garments, water-sages near foreground, meticulous detailing and atmospheric depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैकार्णवे → च + एकार्णवे; सिद्धैर् → सिद्धैः; जलगैर् → जलगैः; मुनिभिस्तुतः → मुनिभिः + स्तुतः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 367.14 (yoga-nidrā); Agni Purana 367.15 (kalpa and creation)
FAQs
It conveys cosmological-yogic doctrine: at dissolution (pralaya) Hari ‘absorbs’ vāyu (vital airs/prāṇa principle) and rests on Śeṣa in the ekārṇava, indicating withdrawal of life-forces and cosmic functions into the supreme preserver.
Alongside ritual, law, and arts, the Agni Purana preserves technical cosmology—pralaya mechanics, prāṇa/vāyu withdrawal, and the theological mapping of Vishnu and Brahmā—showing its wide-spectrum, compendium-style coverage.
Meditating on Hari’s pralaya-repose and his assumption of Brahmā’s form reinforces surrender to the supreme regulator of creation and dissolution, cultivating detachment and devotion (bhakti) toward the source of cosmic order.