Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 52
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
एकं ज्ञानं सात्त्विकं स्यात् पृथग् ज्ञानन्तु राजसं अतत्त्वार्थन्तामसं स्यात् कर्माकामाय सात्त्विकं
ekaṃ jñānaṃ sāttvikaṃ syāt pṛthag jñānantu rājasaṃ atattvārthantāmasaṃ syāt karmākāmāya sāttvikaṃ
যে জ্ঞান এক (পরম তত্ত্ব) উপলব্ধি করে তা সাত্ত্বিক; যে জ্ঞান ভেদ ও বহুত্ব দেখে তা রাজস; আর যে জ্ঞান অ-তত্ত্ব/অসার বিষয়ে নিবদ্ধ তা তামস। ফলকামনা-রহিত কর্ম সাত্ত্বিক।
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Cultivate sāttvika knowledge by seeking unity/essence; avoid tāmasika misinformation and rājasa fragmentation; align actions with niṣkāma (desireless) duty.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Guṇa-bheda of jñāna and sāttvika karma","lookup_keywords":["sāttvika-jñāna","rājasa-jñāna","tāmasa-jñāna","niṣkāma-karma","eka-tattva"],"quick_summary":"Sāttvika knowledge grasps the One reality; rājasa knowledge multiplies separations; tāmasa knowledge clings to the unreal. Desireless action is sāttvika—useful as a practical criterion for spiritual progress."}
Concept: Epistemic guṇa-viveka: the quality of knowledge shapes liberation; unity-vision supports mokṣa, while unreal cognition binds.
Application: Study and contemplation aimed at tattva (essence) + niṣkāma service; reduce sensational/fragmenting inputs that feed rajas and tamas.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Yoga / Triguna-Viveka (Classification of knowledge and action by the three guṇas)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three lamps labeled sattva, rajas, tamas illuminate different objects: one lamp reveals a single sun (One reality), another shows many scattered reflections, the third shows a distorted mirage; beside them a figure performs duty without grasping reward.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, tri-color guṇa lamps (white/gold, red, dark blue) illuminating sun, scattered mirrors, and mirage; a calm yogin offering flowers without expectation, bold contours, symbolic clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central radiant sun as eka-tattva, flanked by two panels of multiplicity and illusion; devotee performing niṣkāma karma, ornate halos and gilded accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic triptych with clear labels: sāttvika-jñāna (one), rājasa-jñāna (many), tāmasa-jñāna (unreal); lower register shows desireless action, soft palette, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, philosophical allegory: scholar points to sun, mirrors, and mirage in a garden setting; attendant performs service without reward, fine detailing and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: jñānantu = jñānam tu; atattvārthantāmasaṃ = a-tattva-artham tāmasam; karmākāmāya = karma akāmāya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380.50; Agni Purana 380.53
FAQs
It teaches guṇa-viveka: how to classify knowledge (jñāna) and action (karma) as sāttvika, rājasa, or tāmasa—especially emphasizing desireless action (akāma-karma) as sāttvika.
Beyond ritual and myth, the Agni Purāṇa preserves systematic philosophical taxonomy (triguṇa analysis of cognition and conduct), aligning it with broader śāstric discourse found in Yoga, Sāṅkhya, and Dharma-oriented teachings.
By cultivating one-pointed truth-oriented knowledge and performing actions without craving for results, one purifies motivation, reduces tamasic delusion and rajasic restlessness, and supports liberation-oriented (sāttvika) spiritual progress.