Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 48
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
ओंतत्सदिति निर्देशो ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः स्मृतः यज्ञदानादिक कर्म बुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं नृणां
oṃtatsaditi nirdeśo brahmaṇastrividhaḥ smṛtaḥ yajñadānādika karma buktimuktipradaṃ nṛṇāṃ
‘ওঁ’, ‘তৎ’ ও ‘সৎ’—এগুলি ব্রহ্মের ত্রিবিধ নির্দেশ বলে স্মৃত। এই ভাব নিয়ে সম্পন্ন যজ্ঞ, দান প্রভৃতি কর্ম মানুষের ভোগ ও মোক্ষ—উভয়ই প্রদান করে।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Use ‘Om–Tat–Sat’ as a sanctifying orientation for yajña, dāna, and tapas—aligning ritual action with Brahman and directing it toward both worldly welfare and liberation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Om–Tat–Sat: Trividha Brahma-nirdeśa for Yajña and Dāna","lookup_keywords":["Om Tat Sat","Brahma nirdesha","yajna dana","bhukti mukti","sacred syllables"],"quick_summary":"‘Om, Tat, Sat’ names Brahman in three modes; performing sacrifice and charity with this orientation purifies action, supporting prosperity (bhukti) and liberation (mukti)."}
Concept: Brahman-remembrance (nirdeśa) transforms karma into a liberating discipline; ritual becomes yoga when anchored in the Absolute.
Application: Begin/mark acts of worship, giving, and vows with ‘Om’ and dedicate them as ‘Tat’ (to That), affirming ‘Sat’ (the Real), reducing ego-claim over results.
Khanda Section: Dharma–Yoga–Brahmavada (Sacred syllables, Vedic injunctions, and the theology of ritual acts)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Vedic altar scene: priest offering oblations into fire while the syllables ‘Om’, ‘Tat’, ‘Sat’ appear as luminous calligraphy above the flames; donors present with offerings, suggesting bhukti and mukti.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of yajña: agni-kunda with stylized flames, ṛtvij chanting, glowing ‘Om Tat Sat’ in traditional script-like motif, rich reds and ochres, divine aura indicating Brahman.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf: central Agni altar, priest and patron, radiant golden ‘Om’ above, side inscriptions ‘Tat’ and ‘Sat’, ornate halo-like radiance symbolizing Brahman and auspicious merit.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style precise ritual depiction: altar geometry, ladle, samidh, priest posture; subtle luminous text ‘Om Tat Sat’ above fire; clean instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a yajña pavilion with detailed textiles and architecture; delicate smoke rising forms ‘Om Tat Sat’; patrons offering gifts; balanced composition conveying both worldly and spiritual aims."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ओंतत्सदिति → ॐ + तत् + सत् + इति. ब्रह्मणस्त्रिविधः → ब्रह्मणः + त्रिविधः. यज्ञदानादिक → यज्ञ-दान-आदिकम्. बुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं → भुक्ति-मुक्ति-प्रदम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mantra and yajña-related chapters (general); Agni Purana: Mokṣa-dharma on karma-yoga and dedication of acts
FAQs
It teaches the ritual-theological usage of the formula “Oṃ–Tat–Sat” as the threefold designation of Brahman, framing sacrifices (yajña), charity (dāna), and related rites so they are performed with correct sacred intent.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium-style coverage by combining mantra doctrine (Oṃ–Tat–Sat), metaphysics (Brahman), and practical dharma (yajña, dāna) into a concise rule about how ritual acts are to be conceived and what results they yield.
It states that dharmic actions like sacrifice and charity, grounded in the Brahman-oriented formula “Oṃ–Tat–Sat,” generate both bhukti (prosperity/enjoyment) and mukti (liberation), aligning worldly duty with ultimate spiritual release.