Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 29
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
आग्नेयं हि पुराणं यो भक्त्याग्रे पठेते हरेः सो ऽर्चयेच्च वसिष्ठेह ज्ञानयज्ञेन केशवम्
āgneyaṃ hi purāṇaṃ yo bhaktyāgre paṭhete hareḥ so 'rcayecca vasiṣṭheha jñānayajñena keśavam
হে বশিষ্ঠ! যি ভক্তিভাৱে প্ৰথমে হৰিৰ আগ্নেয় পুৰাণ পাঠ কৰে, সি এই লোকতে জ্ঞানযজ্ঞৰ দ্বাৰা কেশৱৰ পূজা কৰে।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Frames Purāṇa-recitation as jñāna-yajña: devotional study/recitation becomes worship of Keśava here and now, integrating bhakti with knowledge-practice.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Jñāna-yajña through Āgneya Purāṇa Pāṭha","lookup_keywords":["jñāna-yajña","bhakti","pāṭha","Keśava","Vasiṣṭha"],"quick_summary":"Devotional recitation of the Agni Purāṇa is declared a ‘sacrifice of knowledge,’ a direct mode of worship of Keśava without external ritual complexity."}
Alamkara Type: Arthavāda (eulogistic assertion of efficacy)
Concept: Jñāna-yajña: inner offering of understanding and recitation to the Lord; bhakti is the motive force that turns study into worship.
Application: Treat daily study/recitation as a formal offering: begin with saṅkalpa, read with attention (manana), conclude with dedication of merit (phala-tyāga) to Keśava.
Khanda Section: Phala-श्रुति (Merit of Recitation) / Bhakti and Jñāna-yajña
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee recites the Agneya Purāṇa with devotion; the act itself rises as a luminous ‘knowledge-offering’ to Keśava, who is envisioned receiving it.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated sage-like devotee reading, from the book emanate golden syllables forming a flame-like jñāna-yajña rising to Keśava in the upper register, temple lamp ambiance, deep reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Keśava enthroned with gold prabhā, devotee below holding the Purāṇa; embossed gold letters/scrolls rising like an offering, rich ornamentation and gem-like colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, calm study-worship scene: devotee with book, small altar with lamp, subtle visualization of knowledge as a radiant stream toward a faint Keśava form; precise linework, gentle palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-devotee in a quiet chamber reading; above, a delicate visionary cloud reveals Keśava; flowing calligraphic-like Sanskrit letters ascend as offering; intricate textiles and architectural details"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भक्त्याग्रे = भक्त्या-अग्रे; सो ऽर्चयेच्च = सः-अर्चयेत्-च; वसिष्ठेह = वसिष्ठ-इह
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 382.26-28 (phala-śruti leading to jñāna-yajña conclusion)
FAQs
It teaches that scriptural recitation/study (pāṭha) of the Āgneya Purāṇa performed with bhakti functions as a jñāna-yajña—an internalized ‘sacrifice’ where knowledge and understanding are the offering, equated to worship of Keśava.
By framing the Purāṇa itself as a complete spiritual instrument—where learning and assimilating its multi-disciplinary teachings (ritual, dharma, polity, arts, etc.) becomes a unified act of worship—this verse legitimizes the text’s broad, encyclopedic scope as religiously efficacious.
It asserts that devoted recitation of the Agni Purāṇa yields the merit of directly worshipping Viṣṇu, because sincere study is counted as jñāna-yajña, a purifying act that accrues devotional merit without requiring external ritual complexity.