Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 14
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
चतुर्विधा भजन्ते मां ज्ञानी चैकत्वमास्थितः अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावो ऽध्यात्ममुच्यते
caturvidhā bhajante māṃ jñānī caikatvamāsthitaḥ akṣaraṃ brahma paramaṃ svabhāvo 'dhyātmamucyate
চার প্রকার ভক্ত আমাকে ভজনা করে; আর জ্ঞানী একত্বে প্রতিষ্ঠিত থাকে। অক্ষরই পরম ব্রহ্ম; স্বভাবকে অধ্যাত্ম বলা হয়।
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vashistha, in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Bhakti-yoga","practical_application":"Use the definitions—akshara, brahman, svabhava/adhyatma—to structure contemplation and study; stabilize ‘ekatva’ (oneness) through meditation and integrate devotion with non-dual understanding.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Definitions: Akshara, Parama Brahman, and Adhyatma (Svabhava)","lookup_keywords":["akshara","parama brahma","svabhava","adhyatma","ekatva"],"quick_summary":"The Imperishable is the Supreme Brahman; one’s intrinsic nature is termed adhyatma, and the jnani abides in oneness. The verse provides compact Vedantic definitions useful for meditation and doctrinal clarity."}
Concept: Akshara as Parama Brahman; adhyatma as svabhava (inner nature/indwelling principle); jnani-bhakta established in ekatva (non-dual abiding).
Application: In meditation, negate the perishable (kshara) and rest attention in the ‘akshara’ witness; examine svabhava as the inner tendency and align it with sattva and devotion, culminating in ekatva-bhava.
Khanda Section: Adhyatma-jnana (Bhagavad-Gita–style philosophical definitions within Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-sage instructs a disciple with a diagram: ‘Kshara vs Akshara’, ‘Parama Brahman’, and ‘Adhyatma (Svabhava)’; the jnani is shown merging into a single luminous sphere symbolizing oneness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and shishya seated with palm-leaf manuscript; behind them symbolic mandala labeled Akshara/Brahman, a single radiant circle for ekatva; earthy tones, bold outlines, icon-like clarity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated guru with gold halo pointing to a stylized yantra-like circle representing Akshara Brahman; disciple in reverence; gold embossing on the central luminous sphere; ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional board with Sanskrit terms ‘akṣara’, ‘brahma’, ‘svabhāva/adhyātma’; calm classroom-like ashram setting; fine lines and soft colors emphasizing clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly scene in a library pavilion; teacher explains metaphysical chart on a folio; a luminous orb in the sky symbolizes the imperishable; delicate detailing of manuscripts and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैकत्वमास्थितः = च + एकत्वम् + आस्थितः; स्वभावो ऽध्यात्ममुच्यते = स्वभावः + अध्यात्मम् + उच्यते (विसर्ग-लोप)
Related Themes: Agni Purana adhyatma-jnana definitions and moksha-dharma glosses on brahman/atma
FAQs
It imparts adhyātma-vidyā: defining the Imperishable (akṣara) as Supreme Brahman and identifying svabhāva (intrinsic nature) as “adhyātma,” while indicating that the jñānī worships through abiding in unity.
Alongside ritual and practical sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves compact Vedāntic definitions (Brahman, akṣara, adhyātma) and bhakti typologies, showing its scope as a multi-discipline compendium of theology, philosophy, and practice.
It prioritizes liberation-oriented worship: devotion grounded in knowledge culminates in oneness (aikatva), directing the seeker toward realization of the Imperishable Brahman and the inner self as the true spiritual locus.