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Brahmanda — The Cosmic Egg
The seven-shell structure of the universe as described in the Puranas
The Brahmanda (ब्रह्माण्ड — Brahma's Egg) is the cosmic egg containing the entire universe. According to Sankhya cosmology and Puranic texts, the universe is enclosed within seven concentric shells (Avarana), each made of a progressively subtler element — from gross Earth at the center to the most subtle cosmic intelligence at the outer boundary.
Seven Elemental Shells (Avarana)
Earth (Prithvi)(Earth)Shell 1
Water (Jal)(Water)Shell 2
Fire (Agni)(Fire)Shell 3
Air (Vayu)(Air)Shell 4
Ether (Akasha)(Ether)Shell 5
Ahankara (Ego)(Primordial I)Shell 6
Mahat (Cosmic Intelligence)(Cosmic Mind)Shell 7
Source: Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana
Key Facts
| Total diameter | 500 million yojanas |
| Number of shells | 7 (Sapta Avarana) |
| Innermost content | 14 Lokas + Brahmanda interior |
| Outer boundary | Mahat-tattva + Avyakta |
| Primary source | Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 5 |
| Cosmic equivalent | The universe as a living being |