Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 19
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
ध्येयमेतदशुद्धञ्च त्यक्त्वा शुद्धं विचिन्तयेत् ऐश्वर्यं पङ्कजं दिव्यं पुरुशोपरि संस्थितं
dhyeyametadaśuddhañca tyaktvā śuddhaṃ vicintayet aiśvaryaṃ paṅkajaṃ divyaṃ puruśopari saṃsthitaṃ
بعد ترك موضوع التأمل غير الطاهر هذا، ينبغي أن يتأمل المرء الصورة الطاهرة: لوتس السيادة الإلهية (aiśvarya) القائم فوق الإنسان الكوني (Puruṣa).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Guides inner purification in dhyana by rejecting impure mental images and fixing the mind on a pure, sovereignty-bearing lotus above the Puruṣa as the ritual seat (āsana) in manasa-puja.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śuddha-padma-dhyāna above Puruṣa (Aiśvarya-lotus)","lookup_keywords":["śuddha-dhyāna","aiśvarya-padma","puruṣa-upari","manasa-puja","dhyeya-śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"Abandon impure objects of meditation and visualize a pure divine lotus of lordship placed above the Cosmic Person; this becomes the stable inner altar for worship and concentration."}
Concept: Dhyeya-śuddhi: purification of the meditation-object as a prerequisite for stable realization; transcendence of ‘aśuddha’ vṛttis.
Application: In practice, replace distracting/impure imagery with a single sattvic symbol (padma) and hold it steadily as the inner seat of the divine.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Dhyana & Manasa-puja / Iconic Meditation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic Puruṣa figure with a radiant white lotus of sovereignty hovering above his crown-region, indicating the purified meditation-seat; minimal outer ritual, emphasis on inner vision.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet luminous colors, cosmic Puruṣa seated, above him a glowing white lotus (aiśvarya-padma) with subtle golden aura, serene shanta mood, ornamental borders, traditional mural shading.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central cosmic Puruṣa with embossed gold halo, above the head a raised gold-work lotus throne, white petals with gem-like highlights, rich red-green background, devotional yet meditative composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, soft pastel palette, Puruṣa in calm posture, above crown a pristine lotus symbol labeled aiśvarya, instructional diagram feel with gentle ornamentation.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing, cosmic figure seated on plain ground, above him a floating white lotus with subtle radiance, restrained palette, emphasis on precision and symbolic hierarchy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्येयम् एतत् अशुद्धम् च → ध्येयमेतदशुद्धञ्च; पुरुष उपरि → पुरुषोपरि (विसर्ग/उकार-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373 (Puja-vidhi: dhyāna/manasa-puja context); Agni Purana 373.20-23 (padma-lakṣaṇa and inner visualization sequence)
FAQs
It gives a practical dhyāna-rule used in pūjā and upāsanā: reject an ‘impure’ meditation-object and replace it with a ‘pure’ visualization—specifically, a divine lotus (paṅkaja) representing aiśvarya, positioned above the Puruṣa.
Alongside law, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies ritual-technology—step-by-step mental worship and iconographic visualization. This verse exemplifies that technical, practice-oriented guidance within the Purana’s broad knowledge system.
It emphasizes inner purification in worship: elevating the mind from impure supports to a pure divine form is presented as a means to refine intention (bhāva) and stabilize contemplation, which is traditionally linked with greater spiritual merit and clarity.