Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 53
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
शत्रुजिद्वलो इति क , ख च नीलमृत्तिक इति ख , घ , छ , ज , ञ , ट च नीलमूर्धज इति ङ पीतरक्तः क्षितिश् चैव श्वेतभौमो रसातलं भूल्लोको ऽथ भुवर्मुख्या जम्वूद्वीपादयः श्रिये
śatrujidvalo iti ka , kha ca nīlamṛttika iti kha , gha , cha , ja , ña , ṭa ca nīlamūrdhaja iti ṅa pītaraktaḥ kṣitiś caiva śvetabhaumo rasātalaṃ bhūlloko 'tha bhuvarmukhyā jamvūdvīpādayaḥ śriye
“（其名为）沙特鲁吉德瓦拉（Śatrujidvala）”——Ka 与 Kha 两系本如是说；“尼罗姆利提迦（Nīlamṛttika）”——Kha、Gha、Cha、Ja、Ña 与 Ṭa 诸系本如是读；而“尼罗穆尔达阇（Nīlamūrdhaja）”——Ṅa 系本如是读。刹底（Kṣiti，大地）呈黄赤之色；罗娑多罗（Rasātala）则为白色，具“婆乌摩”（Bhūma，属地界）之性。其后为布胡洛迦（Bhūloka），再后为布胡瓦尔（Bhuvar）——诸世界之首——并有阎浮提（Jambūdvīpa）及诸洲，为求吉祥与繁荣。
Lord Agni (narrating cosmographic doctrine, as in the dominant Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Text-critical awareness of variant readings plus cosmographic orientation: hues/qualities of realms (earth, rasātala) and ordering of worlds/continents for ritual visualization and teaching.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Cosmographic variants and realm-descriptions (Kṣiti, Rasātala, Bhūloka–Bhuvar, Jambūdvīpa)","lookup_keywords":["rasatala","bhuloka","bhuvar","jambudvipa","nilamrttika"],"quick_summary":"Records recension-variants for a cosmographic name and describes color/character of Earth and Rasātala, then lists higher loci like Bhūloka, Bhuvar and Jambūdvīpa for auspicious contemplation. Useful for aligning recitation/diagramming with one’s textual tradition."}
Alamkara Type: Parenthetical scholia / patha-bheda notation (recensional gloss)
Concept: Many-name/one-referent principle and layered cosmos: reality is described through ordered lokas; textual transmission preserves multiple authoritative readings.
Application: When teaching/reciting cosmography, choose the pāṭha of one’s śākhā/recension; use the loka-order for dhyāna, ritual nyāsa, or cosmographic diagrams.
Khanda Section: Bhūgola / Lokavibhāga (Cosmography: planets, netherworlds, and continents)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A layered cosmographic chart: Earth (yellow-red) above a white Rasātala; above them Bhūloka and Bhuvar; in the center Jambūdvīpa with surrounding continents; marginal notes show variant names from different recensions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, concentric cosmographic layers with bold color blocks: yellow-red Earth, white Rasātala below, blue-green upper lokas, central Jambūdvīpa lotus-map, decorative script-like labels for variant readings","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate cosmographic mandala with gold leaf borders, central Jambūdvīpa as jeweled island, layered realms beneath with distinct colors (white Rasātala), small cartouches listing Śatrujidvala/Nīlamṛttika/Nīlamūrdhaja","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic cosmography with clean lines and pastel washes, annotated variant readings in margins, clear separation of lokas and dvīpas for instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-scribes comparing manuscripts while a painted cosmographic map lies open, fine calligraphy panels showing variant names, detailed landscape vignettes for dvīpas"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शत्रुजिद्वलो = शत्रुजित् + वलः; क्षितिश् चैव = क्षितिः + च + एव; भूल्लोको = भूः + लोकः; लोको ऽथ = लोकः + अथ (अवग्रह)
Related Themes: Agni Purana cosmography sections (Bhūgola/Lokavibhāga); Agni Purana bhuvana-kośa materials around 219
FAQs
This verse imparts cosmographic classification (bhūgola-vidyā): it names/labels regions and describes their characteristic colors/natures (Earth as yellow-red; Rasātala as white), and situates Bhūloka, Bhuvarloka, and Jambūdvīpa within the world-system.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope by preserving systematic geography/cosmology (lokas, netherworlds, dvīpas) and even recording variant readings across recensions—showing the text functioning both as a knowledge compendium and a tradition-aware transmission.
Knowing the ordered structure of worlds (loka-vibhāga) is traditionally treated as a form of dharmic knowledge that supports right orientation in worship and contemplation; the verse frames the mapping of realms as conducive to śrī—auspicious prosperity and well-being.