Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 40
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
ब्राह्मण उवाच भूयः पृच्छसि किं श्रेयः परमार्थन्न पृच्छसि श्रेयांस्यपरमार्थानि अशेषाण्येव भूपते
brāhmaṇa uvāca bhūyaḥ pṛcchasi kiṃ śreyaḥ paramārthanna pṛcchasi śreyāṃsyaparamārthāni aśeṣāṇyeva bhūpate
ব্রাহ্মণ বললেন—তুমি আবার জিজ্ঞাসা করছ, ‘শ্রেয় কী?’ কিন্তু পরমার্থ জিজ্ঞাসা করছ না। হে ভূপতে, যে সব ‘শ্রেয়’ পরম লক্ষ্য নয়, সেগুলি সম্পূর্ণরূপে সীমিত ও গৌণ।
Brāhmaṇa (a learned priest/sage addressing the king)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Clarifying the hierarchy of goals: distinguish instrumental goods (śreyas in worldly sense) from the ultimate end (paramārtha/moksha) to prevent misdirected striving.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śreyas vs. Paramārtha: hierarchy of ends","lookup_keywords":["paramartha","śreyas","moksha","purushartha","viveka"],"quick_summary":"Not all ‘benefits’ are ultimate; only paramārtha (liberation/ultimate truth) is final, while other śreyas are finite and exhaustible."}
Alamkara Type: Vyatireka (contrast) / Arthantaranyasa (reasoned redirection)
Concept: Only the supreme end is non-exhaustible; all non-ultimate goods are limited and therefore not the final refuge.
Application: Decision filter: when choosing actions, ask whether the outcome is exhaustible (status, wealth, even heaven) or points to lasting freedom; prioritize practices leading to paramārtha.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Paramartha-nirnaya (Discourse on ultimate good and liberation)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Brahmin teacher redirects a king from asking about ‘benefits’ to asking about the ‘supreme goal,’ depicted as two paths: many smaller rewards vs one luminous summit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, teacher and king with a symbolic bifurcating path: left path with coins, crowns, heavenly pleasures; right path leading to a radiant lotus/sun labeled paramārtha, flat decorative composition and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central luminous ‘paramārtha’ lotus with gold leaf, teacher pointing to it while the king turns away from smaller glittering objects (wealth, throne), ornate arch and rich textiles.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic diagram-like scene: two scroll panels showing ‘śreyas (finite)’ and ‘paramārtha (ultimate)’, teacher explaining to king, delicate shading and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, garden terrace with two gates: one crowded with worldly gifts, another serene with a single lamp/lotus; teacher guiding the king toward the serene gate, intricate architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परमार्थन्न = परमार्थम् + न; श्रेयांस्यपरमार्थानि = श्रेयांसि + अपरमार्थानि; अशेषाण्येव = अशेषाणि + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana moksha-dharma chapters distinguishing dharma/artha/kama from moksha; Agni Purana teachings on vairagya and the limits of svarga
FAQs
It imparts the discernment-vidyā of priorities: distinguishing limited worldly ‘goods’ (śreyāṃsi) from the ultimate aim (paramārtha), i.e., liberation-oriented purpose.
Alongside rituals, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves mokṣa-oriented counsel—showing that its ‘encyclopedia’ includes philosophical guidance on ultimate aims, not only practical arts.
It redirects the seeker (here, a king) from merely merit-yielding or prosperity-yielding aims toward the highest end; spiritually, it encourages vairāgya and inquiry into liberation as the culminating purpose of dharma.