Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 3
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
ज्ञानात् सौवीरभूपतिरिति ख , ञ च पठतां भुक्तिमुक्तिदमिति ख ध्यायतो विषयान् पुंसः सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते सङ्गात् कामस्ततः क्रोधः क्रोधात्सम्मोह एव च
jñānāt sauvīrabhūpatiriti kha , ña ca paṭhatāṃ bhuktimuktidamiti kha dhyāyato viṣayān puṃsaḥ saṅgasteṣūpajāyate saṅgāt kāmastataḥ krodhaḥ krodhātsammoha eva ca
من يلازم التفكّر مرارًا في موضوعات الحواس ينشأ له التعلّق بها؛ ومن التعلّق يتولّد الشهوة، ثم الغضب؛ ومن الغضب وحده ينشأ الوهمُ التامّ.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing sage Vasiṣṭha (didactic instruction; verse also echoes Bhagavad Gītā 2.62)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Use this causal chain as a diagnostic tool for mental downfall; interrupt it early by regulating attention and sensory engagement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Chain of downfall: dhyāna on viṣayas → saṅga → kāma → krodha → sammoha","lookup_keywords":["viṣaya-dhyāna","saṅga","kāma","krodha","sammoha"],"quick_summary":"Repeated attention to sense-objects breeds attachment, which ripens into desire, then anger, culminating in delusion; the practical remedy is to guard attention at the first step."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (light) / stepwise gradation
Concept: Attention (dhyāna) is the seed of bondage; mastery begins with pratyāhāra-like restraint before attachment forms.
Application: Implement ‘attention checkpoints’: when noticing repetitive fantasizing about an object, deliberately shift to a neutral duty, breath-counting, or japa for a few minutes to break the chain at dhyāna/saṅga.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Moksha-shastra (Ethics of mind-control; didactic teachings aligned with Bhagavad Gita-style psychology)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequential visual chain: a man gazes at sense-objects; threads of attachment bind him; desire flames up; anger erupts; finally a fog of delusion covers his head.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, five-panel narrative progression with bold outlines: viṣaya-gazing, saṅga as binding garlands/ropes, kāma as red flame, krodha as stormy aura, sammoha as dark cloud over the face","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, symbolic ladder of downfall with gold highlights on the binding ‘saṅga’ chains; central figure transitioning from calm to agitation; rich ornamentation framing each stage","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional infographic style: arrows connecting stages with Sanskrit labels, restrained palette, clear facial expressions showing psychological shift","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly figure tempted by luxuries, then quarrel scene, then confused wandering; fine detail of objects of desire and expressive gestures"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तेषूपजायते → तेषु + उपजायते; कrodhātsammoha → क्रोधात् + सम्मोहः. प्रारम्भे 'ख, ञ' इत्यादि पाठभेदचिह्नानि समाविष्टानि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380 (Gītā-sāra ethical psychology sequence)
FAQs
It imparts a practical mind-discipline teaching: avoid sustained mental brooding on sense-objects, because it causally generates attachment, craving, anger, and finally delusion—thereby obstructing right judgment and spiritual practice.
Beyond rituals and external duties, the Agni Purana also preserves inner-technology (adhyātma/ethical psychology): a step-by-step causal model of mental downfall used in dharma, yoga, and governance for training restraint and clear decision-making.
By cutting off attachment at the level of thought, one prevents anger-driven delusion and the harmful actions that follow, thereby protecting merit (puṇya), reducing karmic bondage, and supporting liberation-oriented clarity (viveka).