Significance of Agnipurana
Agnipurana is an ancient Indian text that holds significant importance across various domains of knowledge, including temple architecture, urban planning, and cultural practices. It uniquely addresses Vastushastra, providing insights into architectural principles, temple classifications, and descriptions of different deities and rituals. The Purana contains extensive teachings on aesthetics, emotion, and devotion, emphasizing the interconnectedness of deities, governance, and spiritual rituals. Overall, Agnipurana serves as a comprehensive source of wisdom in Hindu literature, covering diverse aspects of life and worship.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Agnipurana'
The Agnipurana, an ancient Hindu scripture, encompasses military strategies, architectural principles, weapon classifications, and spiritual teachings. It outlines rituals, aesthetics, and divine connections, portraying a comprehensive guide to worship, art, and governance within Hinduism.
From: Matsya Purana (critical study)
(1) A Purana that emphasizes details of the ‘Gaya’ region and has discussions about geography.[1] (2) Another ancient text that addresses themes related to the saptanga theory and the elements essential for state governance.[2] (3) A Sanskrit text that provides descriptions and classifications of forts, similar to the Matsyapurana.[3] (4) A text that outlines regulations associated with vrata, including certain rituals and virtues to be followed.[4]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) This Purana contains fifteen thousand four hundred verses.[5] (2) One of the ancient Hindu texts relating stories and legends including those of Manu offering penance and the deluge.[6]
From: Agni Purana
(1) The greatest form of Vishnu that is made up of all the Vedas and provides great benefits to those who read or listen to it.[7] (2) A sacred text that is to be narrated as heard from Vishnu, reflecting the historical recounting of divine manifestations.[8]
From: Markandeya Purana (Study)
(1) A text that identifies the Sun-god as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, illustrating the interconnectedness of deities.[9] (2) One of the Puranas that shows variation in its inclusion of the Vayupurana and Shivapurana.[10]
From: Padma Purana
(1) Identified as the left foot of Vishnu, adding to the composite form of the deity.[11]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) A Purana described as consisting of occurrences of the Ishana Kalpa, communicated by Agni, the deity of fire, to Vashishtha, aimed at instructing in the knowledge of Brahma.[12]
From: Vishnu Purana (Taylor)
(1) A specific purana recognized as an encyclopedia of cultural knowledge that does not strictly adhere to the panca-lakshana thematic structure.[13]
From: Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
(1) An ancient text that describes the varieties of bows and detailed instructions on their usage.[14] (2) A scripture that classifies vyuhas into three types, providing detailed classifications.[15] (3) A sacred text that outlines different movements and techniques associated with the use of weapons, including the cakra.[16] (4) A text that is suggested to be later than Kamandakiya-nitisara and related works, which includes historical military details found in Nitiprakashika.[17] (5) A Purana that classifies weapons, discusses archery techniques, and provides military formations and movements.[18]
From: Shishupala-vadha (Study)
(1) A Sanskrit text in which sage Vedavyasa discusses the characteristics of Mahakavya.[19] (2) A Purana that includes descriptions of various deities, rituals, and narrative elements, often drawing parallels with other texts.[20] (3) A text containing chapters that relate to the story that Magha incorporated into his epic.[21]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) An ancient Indian text from which the threefold subdivision related to the term cyuta-dattakshara originates.[22] (2) An ancient text from which Bharata is said to have drawn upon, though this assertion lacks historical backing.[23] (3) An ancient Indian text that is one of the eighteen major Puranas, featuring a collection of myths, legends, and teachings, particularly concerning the worship of fire.[24] (4) An ancient Indian text that includes references to vibhavas and their dual nature in emotional experiences.[25] (5) An ancient text that discusses poetical games and provides definitions without examples, while also mentioning categories of these games.[26]
From: Kavyamimamsa of Rajasekhara (Study)
(1) A significant Sanskrit text covering various subjects, including poetry, that features a compilation of poetic theory and practices.[27] (2) An ancient text in Hindu literature that provides mythological narratives, including descriptions of Devas and Asuras.[28] (3) A historical text mentioned in relation to the recognized status of poets and comparisons made to the creation of poetry and the figure of Brahma.[29]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) The Agnipurana is an ancient Indian text that discusses various architectural and planning principles, including the layout of cities and palaces.[30] (2) A text that classifies temples into five shapes and includes forty-five varieties of temples.[31] (3) Another ancient text that lists the preceptors associated with the Tantras in the context of Vastushastra.[32] (4) Agni-purana uniquely dilates on the subject of Vastushastra, having several chapters dedicated to this topic.[33] (5) An ancient text that describes forty-five temple specimens, forming the basis for the variations included in the Samaranganasutradhara.[34]
From: Samarangana-sutradhara (Summary)
(1) An ancient scripture containing references to different varieties of architecture.[35]
From: Vishnudharmottara Purana (Art and Architecture)
(1) One of the Mahapuranas listed in traditional accounts, involved in the debate about the inclusion or exclusion of specific texts.[36] (2) A Puranic text that specifically addresses Iconography in its sixteenth chapter.[37] (3) Another ancient text that provides guidelines on the dimensions and construction of temple parts.[38]
From: Manasara (English translation)
(1) A text that offers brief accounts of the ninth and tenth plans but does not cover all plan names.[39] (2) A Purana that presents chapters discussing architecture, covering temples, residential structures, and sculptures.[40] (3) A text that refers to the Manasara, noted for its ambiguity regarding the treatise's content and context.[41]
From: Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study)
(1) A Purana focused on architectural principles, detailing canons of town-planning and temple architecture.[42]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A reference work that reproduces part of Manu's verses relating to the subject discussed in the text.[43] (2) Agni-purana is referenced in the text as a source that elaborates on the forms of conciliation, reinforcing the argument about effective communication strategies.[44] (3) Agnipurana is a text that reiterates the king's duty to distribute half of the discovered treasure to Brahmanas while noting that a good Brahmana can claim the entire amount he unearths.[45] (4) A classical text that includes verse and commentary similar to that of Manu, providing insights on Rajadharma.[46]
From: Yajnavalkya-smriti (Vyavaharadhyaya)—Critical study
(1) A Puranic text known for containing verses that align closely with the Yajnavalkyasmriti, particularly regarding legal and ritual practices.[47]
From: Malatimadhava (study)
(1) A text that enumerates eighteen gunas, divided among word, sense, and both.[48] (2) A text that enumerates eighteen gunas, categorizing them into six each of word, sense, and both.[49]
From: Annadatri-carita (study)
(1) One of the major eighteen Puranas, mentioning the preeminence of Annadana over other forms of donations.[50]
From: Harshacharita (socio-cultural Study)
(1) Agnipurana is a Sanskrit text that delineates the five divisions of gadyakavya, highlighting its structural complexity.[51]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) A Hindu scripture that mentions various concepts related to aesthetics and emotions, particularly in the context of art and performance.[52] (2) A Hindu scripture that explains various concepts of worship and devotion, particularly how seeing the Lord can lead to eternal service.[53]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A sacred text that also provides teachings and descriptions about the rituals related to Gaya-tirtha.[54]
From: Mudrarakshasa (literary study)
(1) A text that defines guna as an essential element that imparts charm to poetry and incorporates a sub-chapter for kavyaguna.[55] (2) A text that details twenty-three principal alamkaras, analyzing their categorization into various aspects.[56]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) One of the ancient Hindu texts that emphasizes the importance of poetry (Kavya) and various scriptural injunctions.[57]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) A sacred text that quotes the work of Saalihotra, indicating its significance in historical veterinary medicine.[58]