Agni Purāṇa
20 - Primary creation
Agni said:
1. The intellect (mahat) is the first creation of Brahma. The second (creation) is that of the subtle principles (tanmäträs),1 known as the bhūtasarga (creation of elements).
1. The tanındtruds or the subtle principles are related to the sense-organs.
2. The third is the creation of evolutes (vaikärikas) known as the sense-organs. These are the primary creation (pråkrutasarga) produced out of the intellect.
3. The fourth, is the main creation (mukhyasarga). The immobile things are known as the main (creation). That (creation) which is spoken as (the creation of) the lower order (tiryaksrotas) is known as that of the sub-human beings (animals, birds etc.).
4. Then the sixth creation is that of the higher orders (ūrdhvasrotas), known as the creation of the celestials. Then the seventh creation is that of the middle orders (arväksrotas), the man.
5-6. The eighth is the creation (known as) the anugraha (compassionate divinities), composed of the qualities (sattvika and tåmasa. These (latter) five are known as the Vaikrtasarga (creation subject to transformation). The ninth creation is the Kaumåra (the creation of Sanatkumára etc.) These are the nine creations2 of Brahmå which are the main cause for the universe.
2. The puranic cosmology divides creations into nine classes. See Siva P. (English translation) p. 248 note 214.
7-8. Bhrugu and others married Khyati and other daughters of Daksha. Creation has been described as three-fold by the people. They are usual (nitya), subject to some cause (naimittika), (and) daily (dainandini).1 (The creation) after the intermediate dissolution is known as the daily (dainandini).1 The constant creation that takes place everyday is considered as nitya.
1. The minor dissolution of the world after 15 years of Brahmi's life is known as the dainandina pralaya. MW. p. 497b.
9. From Bhrugu, Khyati gave birth to the celestials Dhåtr and Vidhātr. Śrī (Lakshmi) (was) the consort of Vishnu, and was praised by Sakra (Indra) for multiplying the progeny.
10. The sons of Dhåtr and Vidhātr were Präņa and Mrukaņduka successively. Vedasirå gave birth to Markandeya from Mrukandu.
11-12. A son (by name) Paurņamåsa was born to Marichi through Sambhūti. Sinīvāli, Kuhū, Rākā and Anumati were the sons of Angiras through Smrti. With Atri, Anasūyā gave birth to Soma, Durvisas, and Dattatreya yogin.
13. A son (by name) Dattoli was born to Prīti, the wife of Pulastya. Sahishņu and Kramapädika2 were born to Kshamā from Pulaha.
2. VI.P. I. X. 10 reads Kardama and Urvarūpa.
14. The highly radiant Bālakhilyas were born to Sannati3 from Kratu. They, who were 60000, were of the size of a joint of the thumb.
3. Santati. Vi.P. I.X.11.
15. To Urja from Vasishtha (were born) Raja, Gätra, Urudhvabāhu, Savana, Alaghu4, Sukra and Sutapaḥ, the seven sages.
4. Anagha. Vi.P. 1.2.14.
16. Pāvaka, Pavamana and Suchi were born of Agni and Svāha. The manes Agnishvāttāḥ, devoid of fire and Barhishada, with fire (were born) from aja (Brahma, the unborn).
17. Mena and Dhariņi were the daughters of the manes through Svadhā. Himsā was the wife of Adharma. Then Anruta was born to them.
18. Nikruti (was their) daughter. Bhaya and Naraka (were born) from them, who had Maya and Vedanå as their wives.
19. Of those two, Máyā gave birth to Mrutyu, the destroyer of living beings. And also Vedanå gave birth to a son Duḥkha from Raurava (Naraka).
20. Vyâdhi, Jara, Soka, Trushņå and Krodha were born from Mrutyu. (Rudra) was born wailing from Brahma and (was known as) Rudra by name on account of the wailing.
21. O twice-born! the grandfather (Brahmä) said to (him) (called him as) Bhava, Sarva, Išhāna, Pasupati, Bhima, Ugra (and) Mahadeva.
22. His wife Sati gave up her life on account of the wrath of Daksha and having become the daughter of Himavat again became the wife of Sambhu (Śiva).
23. (I will now describe) the methods of worship of Vishnu etc., preceded by bathing and other (rites) and yielding enjoyment and emancipation, by doing which Svayambhuva (Manu) (had the benefit), as told by Nárada and others to the sages.
Summary of chapter 20 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:
This chapter provides a detailed procedural account of the worship of Durgā, covering the installation of her image, the sequence of upacāra-s (services), and the recitation of her names and hymns. The appropriate tithis, nakṣatra-s, and seasons for her worship are specified, with particular emphasis on the Navarātra observance in the month of Āśvina. The nine forms of Durgā (Śailaputrī, Brahmacāriṇī, Candraghaṇṭā, etc.) to be worshipped across the nine nights are enumerated. The bali offerings, homage to the goddess's vehicle (the lion), and the proper conduct of the worshipper during the vrata period are described. The immense merit of Durgā pūjā — including victory over enemies, removal of disease, and ultimate liberation — is affirmed.
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