Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 18
Chapter 378: Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
करोति पण्डितः साम्यमनात्मनि कलेवरे सर्वदेहोपकाराय कुरुते कर्म मानवः
karoti paṇḍitaḥ sāmyamanātmani kalevare sarvadehopakārāya kurute karma mānavaḥ
পণ্ডিত জনে যি দেহ আত্মা নহয়, তাৰ প্ৰতি সমভাব ৰাখে; আৰু মানুহে সকলো দেহধাৰীৰ মঙ্গলৰ বাবে কৰ্ম কৰা উচিত।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purāṇa narrator)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Cultivate deha-asakti (non-identification with the body) and choose actions that serve collective welfare (sarva-bhuta-hita) in daily decisions, leadership, charity, and conflict resolution.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Dehātmabheda and Sarvadehopakāra (Ethical Equanimity)","lookup_keywords":["deha-anātman","sāmya","sarva-bhūta-hita","nīti","karma-yoga"],"quick_summary":"Treat the body as a non-Self instrument with equanimity, and orient action toward the benefit of all embodied beings; this reframes ethics as universal welfare rather than self-centered gain."}
Concept: Deha is anātman; karma should be sarva-deha-upakāra (universal welfare).
Application: Practice ‘instrument-view’ of the body (care without clinging) and adopt a welfare-first test for actions: does this reduce harm and increase benefit for beings?
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Dharma and Ethical Conduct (Subhāṣita-style instruction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm sage, indifferent to bodily comfort, distributes food/aid impartially to diverse beings—humans, animals, ascetics—symbolizing universal welfare.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, serene rishi with matted hair and ochre robes, balanced posture, offering alms to people and animals, flat decorative foliage, warm earthy palette, sacred calm mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated sage with halo, gold-leaf ornaments on vessels of charity, attendants representing different varnas and creatures receiving aid, rich reds and greens, embossed gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional tableau: ‘body as instrument’ shown by sage holding a lotus (detachment) while performing service, soft shading, muted elegance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly garden scene: philosopher-sage advising a householder-king to act for public welfare, detailed textiles, naturalistic animals, delicate borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वदेहोपकाराय = सर्व-देह-उपकाराय (समास/सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Moksha-dharma sections on deha-anātman and vairāgya (nearby 378.19–22)
FAQs
It imparts nīti-vidyā: cultivate equanimity toward the non-self body and direct one’s karma toward the welfare of all embodied beings.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves practical ethical instruction (nīti) that guides everyday conduct and social welfare—an essential encyclopedic domain.
Detachment from body-identification reduces bondage, while welfare-oriented action purifies intention and accrues dharmic merit through compassionate, non-self-centered karma.