Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 24
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
वायुर्ज्योतिर्जलं पृथ्वी पञ्चव्यूहः समीरितः मनः श्रोत्रन्त्वग्दृग्जिह्वा घ्राणं षड्व्यूह ईरितः
vāyurjyotirjalaṃ pṛthvī pañcavyūhaḥ samīritaḥ manaḥ śrotrantvagdṛgjihvā ghrāṇaṃ ṣaḍvyūha īritaḥ
الريحُ والنورُ/النارُ والماءُ والأرضُ تُعلَنُ «تجمّعًا خماسيًّا» (pañca-vyūha). وأمّا الذهنُ والسمعُ والجلدُ (اللمس) والبصرُ واللسانُ (الذوق) والأنفُ (الشم) فتُعلَنُ «تجمّعًا سداسيًّا» (ṣaḍ-vyūha).
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Use as a tattva-map for meditation and for diagnosing experience into bhūta (elements) and indriya (sense-faculties) layers in sāṅkhya/yogic contemplation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Pañca-vyūha (Bhūta) and Ṣaḍ-vyūha (Antaḥkaraṇa–Indriya) Enumeration","lookup_keywords":["pañca-vyūha","ṣaḍ-vyūha","bhūta","indriya","manas"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a compact enumeration of elemental and psycho-sensory groupings used for tattva-viveka. It supports systematic meditation by classifying perception into mind and the five sense-channels, alongside the elemental field."}
Concept: Tattva-enumeration as a method of viveka: distinguishing elements and sense-faculties to understand embodied experience.
Application: In meditation, observe sensations as functions of specific indriyas and their elemental supports, reducing identification with fluctuating perceptions.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Tattva Enumeration (Cosmology of elements and senses)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic cosmological diagram: four gross elements labeled (vāyu, jyotis/tejas, jala, pṛthvī) and a second ring showing manas with five sense-faculties (śrotra, tvak, dṛk, jihvā, ghrāṇa) as channels of perception.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, a mandala-like tattva-chart with Sanskrit labels for vāyu, tejas, jala, pṛthvī and a central manas, five indriya petals around it, traditional ornamental borders, minimal shading","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf accents, a circular cosmology mandala showing elements and senses as jeweled compartments, Sanskrit inscriptions, rich reds and greens, embossed gold outlining each tattva","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft washes, instructional diagram of elements and senses with neat Devanagari labels, balanced composition, subtle decorative frame","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature style, fine brushwork, a scholar in a study pointing to a painted chart of elements and senses on a folio, delicate borders, muted palette with precise calligraphy"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vāyuḥ + jyotiḥ → vāyurjyotiḥ; śrotram + tvak + dṛk + jihvā → śrotrantvagdṛgjihvā (listed as separate senses).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25 (Sāṅkhya-tattva / yoga-tattva context); Agni Purana sections on bhūta-sṛṣṭi and indriya-utpatti (tattva-nirūpaṇa passages)
FAQs
It teaches a technical classification (vyūha) of reality: a fivefold set of elemental principles and a sixfold set of cognitive faculties (mind plus the five sense-organs), useful for doctrinal study, meditation, and analytic reflection on body–mind constitution.
By cataloging metaphysical categories (elements and sense-faculties) in a compact, systematic form, it shows the Agni Purana’s inclusion of Sāṅkhya-like philosophical taxonomy alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, medicine, arts).
Discriminating elements and sense-faculties supports detachment and self-knowledge: recognizing the senses and mind as analyzable components aids restraint (indriya-nigraha) and clearer discernment of the Self beyond sensory experience.