Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 18
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
ज्ञानवैराग्यरश्मिभ्यां सायया विधृतं मनः शनैर् निश्चलताम् एति प्राणायामैकसंहितम्
jñānavairāgyaraśmibhyāṃ sāyayā vidhṛtaṃ manaḥ śanair niścalatām eti prāṇāyāmaikasaṃhitam
জ্ঞান ও বৈরাগ্যের রশ্মি-নির্মিত লাগাম দিয়ে সংযত মন, প্রाणায়ামের একাগ্র অনুশীলনে ধীরে ধীরে স্থিরতা লাভ করে।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Meditation training: apply jnana and vairagya as ‘reins’ while using steady pranayama to gradually make the mind motionless (nischalata).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mind-Steadiness through Jñāna–Vairāgya Reins and Unified Prāṇāyāma","lookup_keywords":["nischalatā","jñāna-vairāgya","raśmi","prāṇāyāma","manonigraha"],"quick_summary":"The mind becomes steady slowly when held by the reins of knowledge and dispassion and supported by consistent pranayama practice."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka
Concept: Manas is stabilized by two cognitive forces—discernment (jnana) and non-attachment (vairagya)—with pranayama as the unifying discipline that consolidates steadiness.
Application: Practice ‘one-point breath’: same count inhale/exhale, then observe desire-thoughts with jnana (seeing impermanence) and release them with vairagya (non-grasping).
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana, Pranayama, and Vairagya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin holding luminous reins labeled jnana and vairagya, gently drawing the mind (shown as a restless monkey or flickering flame) into stillness, synchronized with calm breath waves.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogin with stylized reins of light, mind depicted as a small restless figure becoming calm, prana shown as rhythmic bands, warm earthy palette, sacred compositional symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, yogin with gold halo, reins rendered in gold leaf, mind-flame settling into a steady lamp, ornate floral borders, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise instructional scene: panels showing ‘restless mind’ to ‘steady mind’, breath-count marks, delicate shading and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, contemplative interior with a lamp whose flame steadies as the yogin breathes, reins as subtle ribbons of light, fine textile patterns and soft gradients"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राणायामैकसंहितम् → प्राणायाम + एक + संहितम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana dhyana/pranayama instructions in the Yoga & Moksha-shastra khanda (adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches a practical yogic method: restraining the mind using jñāna (discernment) and vairāgya (detachment), consolidated through disciplined prāṇāyāma to produce mental steadiness.
Alongside ritual, dharma, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies yoga-vidyā—here giving a concise, technical linkage between knowledge, dispassion, and breath-regulation as an applied method for mental mastery.
By steadying the mind through prāṇāyāma supported by jñāna and vairāgya, the practitioner reduces distraction and attachment, enabling deeper meditation and purification of inner tendencies that bind karma.