Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 8
Chapter 376 — ब्रह्मज्ञानम्
Knowledge of Brahman
समाध्यारम्भकाले च एवं सञ्चिन्तयेन्मुनिः यतो ब्रह्मण आकाशं खाद्वायुर्वायुतो ऽनलः
samādhyārambhakāle ca evaṃ sañcintayenmuniḥ yato brahmaṇa ākāśaṃ khādvāyurvāyuto 'nalaḥ
عند ابتداء السامادهي ينبغي للموني أن يتأمّل هكذا: من براهمان ينشأ الآكاشا (ākāśa) أي الفضاء؛ ومن الفضاء ينشأ الفايو (vāyu) أي الريح؛ ومن الريح ينشأ الأنالا (anala) أي النار.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing Sage Vashistha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Use cosmological sequence contemplation (tattva-krama) as a dhyāna support at samādhi’s outset, refining attention from gross to subtle causality.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Samādhi-ārambha Dhyāna: Emanation of Bhūtas (Brahman → Ākāśa → Vāyu → Agni)","lookup_keywords":["samādhi ārambha","brahman ākāśa","ākāśāt vāyu","vāyuto anala","bhūta-krama dhyāna"],"quick_summary":"At the start of samādhi, contemplate the emergence of elements in sequence—space from Brahman, wind from space, fire from wind. This ordered contemplation steadies the mind and turns it toward the causal ground."}
Concept: Cosmic emanation (from Brahman to elements) can be used as a contemplative ladder to absorb the mind and intuit causality beyond effects.
Application: In meditation, visualize vast space arising from the Absolute, then movement (wind), then transformative heat (fire); let each dissolve back into its cause to deepen absorption.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Samadhi and Cosmological Contemplation)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditating sage at samādhi’s threshold visualizes cosmic emanation: from an unbounded luminous Brahman arises space, then swirling wind, then a radiant fire-form.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated muni with closed eyes; above him a vertical cosmology: luminous Brahman orb, expanding blue-black ākāśa, spiraling vāyu ribbons, and stylized anala flames; bold outlines, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yogi with gold aura; layered cosmic bands showing Brahman → ākāśa → vāyu → agni, heavy gold leaf highlighting the fire and the Brahman radiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear stepwise diagrammatic scene with labeled elements; refined linework, soft gradients for space, dynamic strokes for wind, controlled flame motifs for fire.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, sage in a rocky hermitage; above, delicate cloud-like space, curling wind motifs, and a bright flame; fine detailing and balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सञ्चिन्तयेन्मुनिः = सञ्चिन्तयेत् + मुनिः; खाद्वायुः = खात् + वायुः; वायुतोऽनलः = वायुतः + अनलः.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa cosmology sections on mahābhūta-utpatti and sṛṣṭi-krama; Agni Purāṇa yoga/dhyāna instructions connected to tattva contemplation
FAQs
It teaches a yogic contemplation (tattva-sañcintana) used at the start of samādhi: mentally tracing manifestation in a sequence—Brahman → space (ākāśa) → wind (vāyu) → fire (agni).
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves yoga and cosmological doctrine; this verse exemplifies its inclusion of meditative praxis tied to a structured model of elemental emergence.
By beginning samādhi with contemplation of Brahman as the source of the elements, the practitioner steadies the mind, reduces identification with gross matter, and turns awareness toward the causal principle—supporting inner purification and concentration.