Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 9
Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
अहं ब्रह्म परं ज्योतिः प्राणापानविवर्जितं अहं ब्रह्म परं ज्योतिर्व्यानोदानविवर्जितं
ahaṃ brahma paraṃ jyotiḥ prāṇāpānavivarjitaṃ ahaṃ brahma paraṃ jyotirvyānodānavivarjitaṃ
মই ব্ৰহ্ম, পৰম জ্যোতি—প্ৰাণ আৰু অপানৰ পৰা রহিত। মই ব্ৰহ্ম, পৰম জ্যোতি—ব্যাণ আৰু উদানৰ পৰা রহিত।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Disidentify from prāṇa-vāyus during pranayama/meditation; recognize awareness as distinct from life-breath functions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Aham Brahma—Negation of prāṇa, apāna, vyāna, udāna (vāyu-vyatireka)","lookup_keywords":["prāṇa apāna","vyāna udāna","vāyu","prāṇāyāma viveka","param jyotis"],"quick_summary":"Clarifies that Brahman is not the vital airs; prāṇic movements are observed phenomena, while the Self is the unmoving light of awareness."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Alamkara Type: Anaphora with enumerative listing
Concept: Prāṇas are part of the subtle body (liṅga-śarīra); the Self is beyond them as the witness and ground of experience.
Application: In pranayama, note that breath can pause/change, yet awareness remains; use this to loosen identification with vitality, fear, and bodily urgency.
Khanda Section: Yoga–Vedanta (Atma-Brahma-jñāna / Brahmavidyā)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin with subtle currents (four vāyus) depicted as colored winds moving through the torso, while a central unmoving column of light signifies Brahman beyond prāṇa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized wind-streams labeled prāṇa/apāna/vyāna/udāna swirling around a bright central sushumnā-like light; traditional flat colors, ornate border, serene mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold central pillar of light; four directional wind motifs around the body; rich jewel tones and gold embossing; meditative posture.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, semi-technical depiction of vāyus with arrows and subtle channels; calm background; fine linework suitable for instructional yoga context.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate translucent winds painted as ribbons within the figure; luminous aura; refined shading and detailed textiles in a quiet setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राणापानविवर्जितम् = प्राण + अपान + विवर्जितम्; ज्योतिर्व्यानोदानविवर्जितम् = ज्योतिः + व्यान + उदान + विवर्जितम् (ज्योतिः+व्यान → ज्योतिर्व्यान; व्यान+उदान → व्यानोदान)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 377 (advaita series); related yoga/prāṇa discussions elsewhere in mokṣa sections
FAQs
It imparts Brahmavidyā expressed as an identity statement (“ahaṃ brahma”), emphasizing that the true Self is the supreme luminous reality, not the physiological functions of the four principal vāyus (prāṇa, apāna, vyāna, udāna) used in yogic/prāṇāyāma analysis.
It shows the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of yogic physiology (classification of vital airs) alongside Vedāntic metaphysics (Brahman as supreme light), demonstrating its multi-disciplinary scope from practical yoga theory to liberation-oriented philosophy.
By contemplating the Self as Brahman beyond prāṇa-based identification, the practitioner loosens ego-body attachment, supports inner purification, and aligns with mokṣa-oriented realization (ātma-jñāna) rather than merit limited to ritual action.