Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 16
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
व्योम्नि ब्रह्ममये पद्मे प्राणापाणे क्षयङ्गते प्रसादं चिन्तयेद् विष्णोर्यावच्चिन्ता क्षयं गता
vyomni brahmamaye padme prāṇāpāṇe kṣayaṅgate prasādaṃ cintayed viṣṇoryāvaccintā kṣayaṃ gatā
অন্তরাকাশে ব্রহ্মময় পদ্মের মধ্যে, যখন প্রাণ-আপান স্তব্ধ হয়, তখন বিষ্ণুর প্রসাদময় উপস্থিতি ধ্যান করবে—যতক্ষণ না চিন্তাও ক্ষয়প্রাপ্ত হয়।
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga-vidya","practical_application":"Prāṇāyāma leading to pratyāhāra/dhyāna: contemplate Viṣṇu in the inner lotus when prāṇa-apāna subside, continuing until vṛtti-nirodha (cessation of thought).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhyāna in the inner sky-lotus after prāṇa–apāna subsidence","lookup_keywords":["vyo-man","brahmamaya padma","prāṇa apāna kṣaya","Viṣṇu prasāda dhyāna","citta-kṣaya"],"quick_summary":"After calming the breath so that inhalation and exhalation subside, meditate on Viṣṇu’s gracious presence in the inner lotus-space until even the mental act of contemplation becomes still."}
Concept: Breath-stilling as a gateway to mind-stilling; dhyāna culminates when even dhyāna-vṛtti dissolves (citta-kṣaya/nirodha).
Application: Practice gentle prāṇāyāma to quiet prāṇa-apāna; then hold a single sattvic Viṣṇu-image in the heart-lotus until attention becomes effortless and thought subsides.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana, Pranayama, Vishnu-smriti)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator visualizing a radiant lotus in the inner sky; the breath becomes subtle and still; within the lotus appears a serene Viṣṇu-form embodying grace, while surrounding thoughts fade into silence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogin seated, translucent chest revealing a lotus (padma) in a deep indigo inner-sky, Viṣṇu appearing within as calm blue figure with gentle aura, minimal background, strong outlines, sacred stillness","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central yogin with stylized heart-lotus inset like a medallion, Viṣṇu inside with gold halo and ornate jewelry, gold-leaf highlighting the lotus petals, rich temple palette, serene expression","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic yet elegant: subtle breath lines diminishing, heart-lotus labeled, Viṣṇu-form in the center, soft gradients to show ‘thought dissolving’, fine brushwork and calm composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, contemplative ascetic in a quiet chamber, a delicate translucent depiction of a lotus within the torso, faint luminous Viṣṇu figure inside, muted colors, intricate border, emphasis on inwardness"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राणापाणे = प्राण + अपाणे (द्वन्द्व, सप्तमी-द्विवचन); क्षयङ्गते = क्षयं + गते; विष्णोर्यावत् = विष्णोः + यावत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 374 (yoga-vidyā: dhyāna, prāṇāyāma, smṛti of Viṣṇu)
FAQs
It teaches a yogic sequence: enter the inner space (vyoman), stabilize awareness in the Brahman-like lotus (padma), let prāṇa–apāna subside (breath-quieting), and then meditate on Viṣṇu’s prasāda until mental ideation itself becomes still.
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves practical yoga instruction—linking pranayama (breath regulation), subtle-body loci (the lotus/inner ether), and theistic contemplation (Viṣṇu-smṛti) as a complete meditative method.
The verse points to purification through inner stillness: when breath and thought subside, contemplation of Viṣṇu’s grace culminates in a quiet mind—an indicator of deep samādhi-oriented practice and a pathway toward liberation (mokṣa).