Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 27
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
अध्यात्मज्ञाननिष्ठत्वन्तत्त्वज्ञानानुदर्शनं एतज्ज्ञानमिति प्रोक्तमज्ञानं यदतो ऽन्यथा
adhyātmajñānaniṣṭhatvantattvajñānānudarśanaṃ etajjñānamiti proktamajñānaṃ yadato 'nyathā
الثبات في المعرفة الروحية الباطنية، والمعاينة التأملية المباشرة للحقيقة—هذا هو المعلن أنه «المعرفة»؛ وكل ما خالف ذلك فهو «الجهل».
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purana discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vedanta","practical_application":"Defining ‘knowledge’ as steady abidance in adhyatma-jnana and direct discernment of tattva; using this as a criterion to evaluate teachings and one’s own practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Jnana vs Ajnana: Adhyatma-Jnana-Nishtha","lookup_keywords":["adhyatma-jnana","jnana-nishtha","tattva-jnana","anudarshana","ajnana"],"quick_summary":"True knowledge is steadfast inner spiritual understanding and direct contemplative seeing of reality; whatever opposes this orientation is ignorance. Use this definition to align study, reflection, and meditation."}
Concept: Jnana is not mere information but nishtha (abidance) and anudarshana (direct contemplative realization) of tattva; its opposite is ajnana.
Application: Test learning by transformation: does it reduce ego-clinging and increase steady insight? Prioritize sravana-manana-nididhyasana until knowledge becomes lived realization.
Khanda Section: Adhyatma-vidya (Jnana-Yoga / Moksha-shastra)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher points to the heart-center of a disciple, indicating inner knowledge; a contrast is shown between a pile of books (mere learning) and a luminous inner vision (realization).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and shishya seated, guru’s hand in teaching mudra toward the disciple’s heart, stylized manuscripts to one side, radiant inner light motif, traditional borders and earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, guru with gold halo, disciple in reverence, embossed gold highlighting a glowing heart-lotus symbolizing tattva-anudarshana; books rendered secondary, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional symbolism: two registers—upper shows inner light/meditation; lower shows mere scholasticism; fine lines, soft colors, clear didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate study chamber with manuscripts and inkpot; guru indicates the disciple’s chest where a subtle aureole is painted; refined textiles and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: adhyātmajñānaniṣṭhatvam + tattvajñānānudarśanam → adhyātmajñānaniṣṭhatvantattvajñānānudarśanam; etat + jñānam + iti → etajjñānamiti; proktam + ajñānam → proktamajñānam; ataḥ + anyathā → ato 'nyathā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380.28; Agni Purana 380.25
FAQs
It imparts Adhyatma-vidya: true knowledge is defined as firm establishment in self-knowledge and direct realization (anudarśana) of tattva; anything opposed to this is categorized as ignorance.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also systematizes moksha-shastra; this verse functions like a concise philosophical definition (lakṣaṇa) of jñāna/ajñāna, showing its coverage of Vedantic-style epistemic categories.
By identifying knowledge with sustained inner realization rather than mere information, it directs practice toward liberation-oriented insight; cultivating such jñāna is presented as the antidote to ignorance, the root cause of bondage and suffering.