Agni Purana

‘Agni Purana’ is a vast storehouse of knowledge. Agnidev himself, while narrating this to Maharishi Vashishtha, had said –

aagneye hi purane̕smin sarva vidya: pradarshita:

That is, all the knowledge is described in ‘Agni Purana’. Despite being small in size, this Purana holds its special importance from the point of view of revelation of knowledge. There are three hundred and eighty-three (383) chapters in this Purana. ‘Gita’, ‘Ramayana’, ‘Mahabharata’, ‘Harivansh Purana’ etc. are introduced in this Purana. Description of Para-Apara Vidyas is also found in it. Stories of incarnations like Matsya, Kurma etc. are also given in it. Description of creation, evening, bath, worship method, home method, characteristics of postures, initiation and anointment method, rites of initiation to nirvana, temple construction art, foundation stone laying method, characteristics of deity idols, gender characteristics and method of deity consecration. , Vaastu worship method, Tattva Diksha, Astronomy, Tirtha Mahatmya, Shraddha Kalpa, Astrology, Sangram Vijay, Vashikaran Vidya, Medicine knowledge, Varnashram religion, month fast, The greatness of charity, Rajdharma, various dream descriptions, omens and bad omens, gemstone examination, Dhanurveda education, practical skills, method of peace resolution, horse therapy, Siddhi Mantra, various poetic characteristics, grammar and rasa-alankar etc. characteristics, Yoga, Brahmagyan, Heaven- Description of hell, economics, justice, Mimamsa, Surya dynasty and Soma dynasty etc. have been described in this Purana.

The Sangopaang description of the characteristics of Vaishnavas’ worship method and idols etc. is described in this Purana. The complete method of worship of Shiva and Shakti is explained in it. All the subjects of Vedanta have been explained in the best possible manner. Apart from this, information about all the methods useful for life is found in this Purana.

This Purana is named ‘Agni Purana’ because it is said from the mouth of Agnidev. This is an ancient Purana. In this, the worship of Shiva, Vishnu and Surya has been described in an impartial manner. This shows its antiquity. Because later a lot of opposition had arisen between Shaiva and Vaishnav followers, due to which their supremacy started being exaggerated in their worship.

Criticism of each other’s opinions started, whereas no such criticism is available in ‘Agni Purana’.

In the description of pilgrimages, there is no mention of the four monasteries established by Shankaracharya – Badrinath, Jagannath, Dwarkapuri and Rameshwaram. Apart from this, there is no mention of Vishwanath and Dashashwamedh Ghat in the description of Kashi, this shows its antiquity.

the subject matter

From the point of view of subject matter, ‘Agni Purana’ can be called an encyclopedia of Indian life. Description of the five characteristics of Puranas – Sarga, Pratisarga, Dynasty, Manvantar and Vanshanucharit etc. is also found in this Purana. But it is given here in brief. The rest of this Purana is full of useful teachings for daily life.

In ‘Agni Purana’ the nature of body and soul have been explained separately. The senses have been considered mere instruments and the body parts have not been considered as ‘soul’. The Puranakar considers the ‘soul’ to be situated in the heart. From Brahma comes sky, from sky comes air, from air comes fire, from fire comes water and from water comes earth. After this there is the subtle body and then the gross body.

‘Agni Purana’ accepts only the path of knowledge as true. He says that ‘attainment of Brahma’ is possible only through knowledge, not through rituals. It is the supreme light of Brahma which is different from mind, intellect, chitta and ego. Zara is free from death, grief, attachment, hunger-thirst, dreams-sleep etc.

In this Purana, ‘Lord’ has been used for Vishnu. Because the qualities of Bharta are present in it from ‘Bha’ and the sense of Gaman i.e. progress or creator is present in it. Vishnu is considered the sustainer of the universe and the god of growth. The full meaning of ‘Bhag’ is Aishwarya, Shri, Virya, Shakti, Knowledge, Vairagya and fame which is inherent in Vishnu. ‘Van’ has been used as a suffix, which means one who holds or runs. That is, the Creator who nurtures, who gives prosperity, who gives fame and fortune; He is ‘God’. All these qualities are present in Vishnu.

‘Agni Purana’ has considered the movement of the mind to be absorbed in Brahma as ‘yoga’. The ultimate goal of life should be the union of soul and God. Similarly, Varnashrama Dharma has also been explained very well in this Purana. A celibate should stay away from violence and condemnation. The other three ashrams survive with the help of Grihastha Ashram.

Therefore Grihastha Ashram is the best among all the Ashrams. One should not discriminate against anyone on the basis of caste. Varnas are created by karma, not by birth.

sense of equality

In this Purana, emphasis has been laid on maintaining a spirit of equality in the worship of God and on atoning for the crime with a true heart. Adopting a liberal approach towards women, the Puranakar says-

Nasthe Mritye Pravrajite Cleve Cha Patite Patau.

Panchatsvapastu Narinaam Patiranyao Vidhiyate ॥* That is, in these five situations, when the husband is destroyed, when he dies, when he takes renunciation, when he becomes impotent or when he becomes impure, she should take another husband.

Similarly, if a person rapes a woman, then that woman should be considered abandoned until her next menstruation. After menstruation, she becomes pure again. It should be accepted as such.

While explaining Rajdharma, the Puranakar says that the king should protect his subjects in the same way as a pregnant woman protects the child in her womb.

In the explanation of medical science, Purana says that all diseases are caused by consuming too much food or not eating at all. Therefore one should always take a balanced diet. Mostly the treatment for alleviating diseases has been described through herbs only.

In ‘Agni Purana’, the knowledge related to geography, knowledge of fasting, pilgrimages, importance of charity, dakshina etc., Vaastu Shastra and astrology etc. are described like other Puranas. In fact, according to the needs of the contemporary society, useful information about daily life has been given in it.

A very detailed description of the fasts is found in this Purana. The list of fasts has been made separately according to date, year, month, season etc. Puranakar has considered fasting as the path of development in life. In other Puranas, fasting has been considered a mere means of charity and has been described as a means of fulfilling the desires generated by attachment. But in ‘Agni Purana’, fasts have been considered as a form of resolution for the upliftment of life. At the same time, emphasis has been laid on extreme simplicity in life and following religious conduct during fasting.

Dreams and omens and bad omens have also been discussed in ‘Agni Purana’. The discussion of the characteristics of man and woman is a very important part of this Purana.

Detailed information about snakes is also available in this Purana. The importance of mantra power has also been accepted in this.