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The Agni Purana, (Sanskrit: अग्नि पुराण, Agni Purāṇa) one of the 18 Mahapuranas, a genre of Hindu religious texts, contains descriptions and details of various incarnations (avatars) of Vishnu. It also has details account about Rama, Krishna, Prithvi, and the stars. It has a number of verses dealing with ritual worship, cosmology and astrology, history, warfare, sections on grammar and meter, law, medicine, and martial arts. Tradition has it that it was originally recited by Agni to the sage Vasishta.

The text is divided into 383 chapters. The athāgnipurāṇa pariśiṣṭam is an appendix of another six chapters.

The text is medieval (post-Gupta), and has been dated to anywhere between the 8th and the 11th centuries.^[1][2][3]

Editions and translations[link]

The first printed edition of the text was edited by Rajendralal Mitra in the 1870s (Calcutta : Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1870–1879, 3 volumes; Bibliotheca Indica, 65, 1–3). The entire text extends to slightly below one million characters.

An English translation was published in two volumes by Manmatha Nath Dutt in 1903–04.

Text[link]

The extant text comprisess 383 chapters. The last chapter of the text gives a list of 50 topics discussed in the text. The following is a brief description of the subjects narrated in the text^[4]:

Outline[link]

After the customary opening (Chapter 1), the text describes the 10 avatars of Vishnu in detail. Chapters 2–4 deal with the Matsya, the Kurma and the Varaha avataras respectively. The next seven chapters (5–11) summarise the seven Kandas of the Ramayana. Chapter 12 summarises Harivamsha. Chapters 13–15 narrate the story of the Mahabharata. Chapter 16 describes Buddha and Kalki as the avataras of Vishnu. Chapters 17–20 describe the five essential characteristics of a Purana. Chapters 21–70 consist a discussion between Narada, Agni, Hayagriva, and Bhagavan. These chapters deal with the religious bathing, construction of a Kunda (sacrificial pit), the Mudras (the positions of fingers during worship), the mode of worship of Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha, consecration of an image, architecture of a temple, iconography of the images, the worship of Salagrama, the rules for the installation of the images and repair of a temple.

The subject of chapter 71 is the worship of Ganesha. Chapters 72–105 relate to the worship of the Lingam and the several manifestations of Devi. These chapters also contain discussions on the method of establishing Agni (sacrificial fire), Canda worship, Kapila worship and consecration of a temple. Chapter 106 discusses Vastu related to the cities. Chapter 107 is devoted to the creation of Svayambhuva Manu. Chapter 108 is the Bhuvana-Kosha (description of the universe). Chapters 109–116 describe a number of Tirthas. Chapter 117 deals with the ancestral rites. Chapters 118–120 describe the Puranic concepts on the geography of India and other parts of the world as well as the Puranic perceptions about the distances between various regions of the world. Chapters 121–149 deal with various aspects of astronomy and astrology. Chapter 150 deals with the periods of the Manvantaras and the names of the Manus.

Chapters 151–167 deal with the duties associated the different varnas. Chapters 168–174 discuss about the expiations for various kinds of sins. Chapter 175–207 describe about the performances of a number of Vratas. Chapters 208–217 describe various religious gifts and vows. Chapters 218–248 deal with various aspects of statecraft. Chapters 249–252 discuss in detail Dhanurveda or archery, and weapons associated with it. Chapters 254–258 expound on the Vyavahara (judicature and law). This part of the text is literally same as the Mitakshara. The next chapters (259–271) deal with miscellaneous topics regarding the perusal of the Vedas. Chapter 272 deals with the gifts to be made when the Puranas are read. This chapter contains a list of the Puranas and the number of verses each Purana contains. Chapters 273–278 deal with the genealogy of the Puranic dynasties.

Chapters 279–300 deal with the various branches of medicine. Chapters 301–316 deal with the worship of Surya and various mantras (chants), out of which chapters 309–314 deal with mantras for worshipping of the goddess Tvarita. In Chapters 317–326 Ishvara speaks to Skanda regarding the worship of Shiva's ganas: Vagishvari, Aghora, Pashupata, Rudra, and Gauri. Chapter 327 instructs on the glorification of establishing a linga in a temple. Chapters 328–335 summarise Pingala sutras on metrics and an unknown commentary on it. Chapter 336 has rudimentary discussion about Vedic phonetics.

The subject of the next two chapters (337–337) is poetics and rhetoric. Chapter 338 contains a list of the different types of Sanskrit drama. Chapters 339–340 deal with the four ritis or styles of displaying sentiments and emotions during acting. Chapters 341–342 expound on the actions and movements of the limbs of an actor and definitions of the dramatic representations. Discussions regarding the various figures of speech are found in chapters 343-45. The definitions found in these chapters are same as those of the Kavyadarsha of Dandin. The merits and demerits of a composition are discussed in chapters 346–347.

Chapter 348 consists a list of monosyllabic words. The following chapters (349–359) deal with the rules of Sanskrit grammar, which is an abstract of the Chandra Vyakarana. Chapters 360–367 are basically a lexicon on the pattern of the Amarakosha. Chapters 369–370 consist of discussions on human anatomy. Chapter 371 describes various types of Narakas. Chapters 372–376 deal with both Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga. The subject of the chapters 377–380 is the philosophy of Vedanta and knowledge of Brahma. Chapter 381 gives the gist of the Bhagavad Gita. Chapter 382 is a version of the Yama Gita. Chapter 383's verses glorify the Agni Purana.

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Mani, Vettam. Puranic Encyclopedia. 1st English ed. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1975.

External links[link]

• Rajendralal Mitra, ed. (1876). Agni Purana (Bibliotheca Indica). Ganesh Press. http://www.archive.org/stream/bibliothecaindi00unkngoog#page/n6/mode/1up. 
• GRETIL etext

Earth Crisis is an American metalcore band from Syracuse, New York, active from 1989^[1] until 2001, reuniting in 2007. Their most recent record, Neutralize the Threat, was released in July 12, 2011 through Century Media.

Earth Crisis is known for supporting animal rights, promoting a straight edge and vegan lifestyle, and addressing further social and political issues.

Band history[link]

Initial career (1989–2001)[link]

The band originally formed in 1989,^[1] but its initial lineup was short-lived. Karl Buechner, originally their bassist, formed a new lineup of the band in 1991, switching to lead vocals in the process. Buechner was joined by guitarists Scott Crouse and Ben Read, bassist Ian "Bulldog" Edwards and drummer Michael Riccardi.

1992's All Out War EP marked their debut release and established the band in hardcore punk and metalcore circles. The next year, Riccardi was replaced by Dennis Merrick for Firestorm; Kris Wiechmann joined shortly thereafter to replace Read. Destroy the Machines, their first full-length record, was released in 1995. Later this year, the band's touring van was involved in an accident that injured all band members, most severely Merrick. During his recovery time, the other band members began the group Path of Resistance with Riccardi and other friends to remain occupied.

Destroy the Machines was a particularly influential album for the emerging metalcore genre. In guitarist Scott Crouse's words,

It was a very mixed reaction. I'm often quoted as saying that Earth Crisis was the first hardcore band with a metal sound. Of course we weren't the first, but I think we definitely took it to another level. We heard a lot of, 'These guys are trying to be Pantera,' which we all took as a great compliment!^[2]

1996's Gomorrah's Season Ends brought a more complex and developed form of metalcore. Their popularity grew, resulting in a deal with Roadrunner Records, and the band released Breed the Killers in 1998, the first with guitarist Erick Edwards (bassist Ian Edwards's brother) replacing Wiechmann. The album also featured a guest appearance by Machine Head vocalist and guitarist Robb Flynn. The band later returned to Victory Records, releasing 2000's Slither soon after. With clear and professional production, it surprised some listeners and introduced the band's music to a wider audience.^{[citation needed]} Their final album before their breakup was 2001's Last of the Sane, which included cover versions of songs by The Rolling Stones, Slayer, Led Zeppelin, Cream and Dead Kennedys.

In 2001, Earth Crisis played the final show of their initial career at Hellfest in Syracuse.^[3][4]

Post-breakup (2002–2007)[link]

After breaking up, Buechner and the Edwards brothers formed the band Nemesis, which was later renamed Freya. Other members remained musically active.

Reformation (2007–present)[link]

On January 27, 2007, the reunited Earth Crisis played the Maryland Metal and Hardcore Festival. Although it was originally planned as a one-off concert, numerous American and European dates followed thereafter. Earth Crisis headlined the Firestorm Fest in early 2008, supported by Terror, Sworn Enemy, Shai Hulud, Down to Nothing and Recon.

On September 10, 2008 it was announced that Earth Crisis had signed a worldwide deal with Century Media. They entered the studio on October 16, 2008 to record a new record, and Tue Madsen was hired to mix the project. The finished album, To the Death, was released in Europe on April 20, 2009 and in North America on May 5, 2009.^[5]

In August and September 2009, Earth Crisis played America and Europe on the Hell on Earth Tour,^[6][7] alongside Sworn Enemy, Neaera, Waking the Cadaver, War of Ages, Thy Will Be Done and War from a Harlots Mouth.

In March 2010, they announced that drummer Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy and formerly Racetraitor will serve as a touring member for a portion of the band's upcoming tour, as Merrick will only be available for certain dates.^[8][9]

In July 2011 Earth Crisis released their seventh studio album, Neutralize the Threat. The album was mixed and mastered by Zeuss. The tracks "Raise" and "Total War" were released online as an album teaser.

Members[link]

Active members[link]

• Karl Buechner – vocals (1991–2001, 2007–present), bass (1989–1990)
• Scott Crouse – guitar (1991–2001, 2007–present)
• Ian "Bulldog" Edwards – bass (1991–2001, 2007–present)
• Dennis Merrick – drums (1993–2001, 2007–present)
• Erick Edwards – guitar (1998–2001, 2007–present)

Former members[link]

• Ben Read – guitar (1991–1994)
• Kris Wiechmann – guitar (1994–1998)
• Michael Riccardi – drums (1991–1993)
• Shane Durgee – bass (1990)

Touring members[link]

• Andy Hurley – guest tour drums (2010)
• Jonathan Dennison – guest tour bass
• Jimmy Chang - guest tour guitar

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• Destroy the Machines (LP) (1995, Victory Records)
• Gomorrah's Season Ends (LP) (1996, Victory Records)
• Breed the Killers (LP) (1998, Roadrunner Records)
• Slither (LP) (2000, Victory Records)
• Last of the Sane (LP) (2001, Victory Records)
• To The Death (LP) (2009, Century Media)
• Neutralize the Threat (LP) (2011, Century Media)^[10]

EP[link]

• All Out War (EP) (1992, Conviction Records, re-released 1995 on Victory Records)
• Firestorm (EP) (1993, Victory Records, re-released 1995)
• Forced to Kill (7") (2009, Seventh Dagger Records)

Live[link]

• The California Takeover (Live) (1996), Victory Records, split live album with Strife and Snapcase)
• The Oath That Keeps Me Free (Live) (1998, Victory Records)

Compilation[link]

• Forever True – 1991–2001 (Compilation) (2001, Victory Records)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Earth Crisis web site
• Earth Crisis at Victory Records
• Earth Crisis at Roadrunner Records
• Earth Crisis at MySpace
• Interview w/Karl Buechner at Lambgoat.com
• Earth Crisis interview April 2009
• Interview
• Amp: interview
• ascice.net article
• To the Death Review