Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 65
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
पीतनीलादिभेदेन यथैकं दृश्यते नभः भ्रान्तिदृष्टिभिरात्मापि तथैकः स पृथक् पृथक्
pītanīlādibhedena yathaikaṃ dṛśyate nabhaḥ bhrāntidṛṣṭibhirātmāpi tathaikaḥ sa pṛthak pṛthak
যেনেকৈ একে আকাশেই হালধীয়া, নীলা আদি ভেদ দেখা যায়, তেনেকৈ আত্মাও এক হৈয়ো ভ্ৰান্ত দৃষ্টিৰে পৃথক পৃথক যেন বোধ হয়।
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"A practical Advaita analogy: use the ‘one sky, many colors’ example to diagnose perceptual error and reduce reification of differences in self/other/world.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ākāśa-dṛṣṭānta (Sky Analogy for Apparent Multiplicity)","lookup_keywords":["ākāśa","bhrānti","nāna-bheda","ātman","dṛṣṭānta"],"quick_summary":"Multiplicity is an appearance born of deluded perception: as one sky seems variously colored, the one Self appears as many due to cognitive error."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛṣṭānta (illustrative analogy)
Concept: Bheda is perceptual superimposition (bhrānti); the ātman is ekam despite seeming plurality.
Application: When differences provoke attachment/aversion, recall the sky-analogy: treat distinctions as functional (vyavahāra) without granting ultimate reality (paramārtha).
Khanda Section: Vedanta / Atma-jnana (Non-dual Self-knowledge; Brahma-vidya)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast sky painted in bands of yellow, blue, and other hues, while a sage points out that the sky remains one—mirroring the one Self appearing as many.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, expansive sky with stylized color gradations, sage in foreground indicating unity, minimalistic yet symbolic, earthy pigments with luminous blues, contemplative tone.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, large gilded halo-like sky disc with multiple color rings, sage below teaching, gold leaf emphasizing the ‘one’ underlying field, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional illustration: one sky labeled ‘eka’, overlaid with color patches labeled ‘bhrānti-dṛṣṭi’, sage explaining, fine linework and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape under a multicolored twilight sky, sage and disciple observing, subtle caption cartouche, delicate gradients and refined brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पीतनीलादिभेदेन → पीत + नील + आदि + भेदेन; यथैकं → यथा + एकम्; भ्रान्तिदृष्टिभिरात्मापि → भ्रान्तिदृष्टिभिः + आत्मा + अपि; तथैकः → तथा + एकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 379.63 (abheda-darśana); Agni Purana 379.64 (ekaḥ sarvam; sarvagata Viṣṇu)
FAQs
It imparts Brahma-vidya/Atma-jnana: a technical Vedantic point that perceived plurality is a cognitive error (bhranti) superimposed on the one Atman, illustrated through the single sky appearing as many colors.
Beyond rites and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves systematic metaphysics: it includes Vedantic epistemology (how perception can mislead) and soteriology (knowledge leading to liberation), showing its coverage of philosophy alongside practical disciplines.
Spiritually, it directs the seeker to dissolve ego-based separateness by recognizing the one Self; this reduces attachment and aversion, supporting inner purification and the pursuit of moksha through right knowledge.