99 - The Agni Purāņa: Contents

Shri Brahmā said: 

1. Henceforth, I shall describe to you the Agni Purāņa. The Fire-god recounted the events of Iśhâna Kalpa1 to Vasişhtha. 

1. This Purāna is an encyclopaedia of the mediaeval India as stated by it: Āgneye hi purāņe’smin sarvā vidyāḥ pradarshitaḥ                                                         AP. 383.52

Although the NP is supported by the Mt P. and Sk.P. in connecting the events in the AP to Išhāna Kalpa, the extant AP does not mention that Kalpa or that the incidents therein belong to that Kalpa. This is quite natural, as Hazra points out that the genuine, Agneya Purana was forced to travel to the south and came to be known as the Vahni Purana and is awaiting publication, Hazra states that it is considerably free from the influence of Tantrism while the extant AP is a spurious Agneya Purana written under the influence of Tantrism in the 9th cent. A.D. He states that the extant Agni Purāna is different from thc AP which was before the writer of the NP. The Sk. P. states that glorification of the Agni is the aim of the AP but that is not found in the present text of the AP. Moreover, a number of verses said to be quotations from the AP in Ballālasena’s Danasāgara are not traced in the present text of the AP. 

Hence, it is held that the published text of the AP is different from the text available to the writer of the NP (vide Hazra: Present Agni Purana” -IHO.XII 683-691, ‘Our Heritage’ Vol. 1.ii 209. 45). 

2.It comprises fifteen thousand2 verses of various wonderful stories. It dispels all the sins of men who listen to this. 

2. The NP, is supported by the Bh. P, and Br. Vaivarta in claiming 15000 verses to the AP. The AP also calls itself to be Panchadasha-sahasram (382.64). The statements that it contains 16000 verses (the Váyu, Mt.P Sk.P) shows that those Purăņas refer to a different version The Ānandiśhrama edition has 11,457 verses. But Hazra has shown that the Anandáshrama edition on is not the original Purana but a late compilation, the original Agneya or Vahni Purāņa is unpublished (Hazra — “Discovery of genuine Agneya Purana”, Journal, Oriental Institute Baroda V. pp.411-416. 

3. At the outset is the enquiry about the Purāņa, then the story of all incarnations, then the chapter on the Creation and then the (mode of) worship of Vişhņu and other things.3 

3. VV 3-22 give the list of various topics described in the AP. As the Vahni Purana is not available in print, nothing can be said about the contents of that genuine AP. But a comparison of the topics mentioned in these verses with those in the extant AP (GM;-edition) shows in majority of the topics mentioned in the NP are found in the extant AP. 

4. Then the rites of fire worship, thereafter, the characteristics of the Mantras and Mudrás (gestures), etc., the injunctions regarding all initiations; the review of the procedure of ablutions. 

5. The characteristics of Mandala (mystic diagram) etc., then the rite of Marjana (wiping off) with the water from Kuśha grass; the injunction regarding the wearing of the Pavitra (Kuśha grass with a loop and a tail worn like a ring), and then the instructions regarding the temples. 

6-7. Then the worship of Śälagráma etc., the separate signs and symbols of the Murtis, the injunctions regarding the Nyasa rites, the worship of Vinayaka etc. along with their Pratişhthā (installation), thereafter the rules regarding initiation of diverse kinds; the installation of all deities and the review of the Cosmic egg. 

8. The greatness of the Ganga and other holy rivers, the description of the continents and the sub-continents, the arrangement of the upper and the lower worlds, the review of Jyotịśhchakra (the circle of the luminaries.) 

9. Jyotişha (Astrology and Astronomy) is then described and then the scripture “Yuddhajayārņava” (Ocean of the conquests in battles), then the six holy rites are narrated and also the collections of Mantras and medicinal herbs to be used with Mantras. 

10. The rites of worshipping Kubjikā (an unmarried girl of eight years) etc., then the six types of Nyāsa rites, then the injunction regarding “koțihoma” (a crore of Homas), the review of the Manvantaras. 

11. The pious rites of Brahmacharya (vow of celibacy) etc., then the rules regarding the rituals of Śhräddha, then Grahayajña (the sacrifice for the planets) is mentioned, then the various holy rites laid down in the Vedas and the Smrutis. 

12. The narration of expiatory rites, the Vratas etc. to be performed on the various Tithis, days of the week and the constellations. 

13. The guidance regarding monthly Vratas, the rules regarding the charitable gifts of lamps, the worship of the Navavyūhas (the nine manifestations) and the review of hells. 

14. The review of Vratas (sacred vowed observances) and charitable gifts, the direction regarding Nädi Chakra (circle of nerves) and the excellent rules regarding the Sandhya prayers. 

15. The stipulation regarding the meaning of the Gayatrī, then the hymn unto the Linga, the specification of the Mantras for the coronation of kings; the righteous duties (and activities) of kings. 

16. Then the chapter on dreams is mentioned, the review of omens, etc., the specification regarding Mandala (mystic diagram) etc., then the rules regarding Ratna Dikşha’. 

17. The guidance in polity mentioned by Rama, then the characteristics of Ratnas (jewels), then the science of archery is described, then the method of dealing is revealed. 

18. The narrative of the conflict between the Devas and the Asuras, the review of Ayurveda (Medical Science), the Veterinary science (e. g. the treatment of elephants etc., and their pacification). 

19. The treatment of cows, diagnosis and treatment of men, etc., then the different kinds of Pūjās; different kinds of Shäntis (pacificatory rites); then the science of prosody. 

20. Then literature (literary criticism) and the (lexicon of) single-syllabled norms, thereafter, the enumeration of the formation of words, then lexicon according to the different groups and formations. 

21. The characteristics of dissolutions, the review of the Śhåriraka (limbs of the body in AP. ch. 370), description of hells, then the Yoga system of Philosophy. 

22. Thereafter, the knowledge of the Brahman, the benefit of listening to the Purāņa, O Brāhmaṇa, this is mentioned as the Agni Puråņa. 

23-25. He who writes this and gives it to a person who knows the meanings of the Purana, on the full moon day in the month of Märgaśhīrşha in accordance with the injunctions, along with a gold lotus and a replica of a cow in gingelly seeds, is honoured in the heavenly world. This index of topics in the Agni Puråņa narrated to you is the bestower of salvation unto the men who read and listen to this. It benefits them both here and hereafter.