Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 1
Adhyāya 375 — समाधिः
Samādhi
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे धारणा नाम चतुःसप्तत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ पञ्चसप्तत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः समाधिः अग्निर् उवाच यदात्ममात्रं निर्भासं स्तिमितोदधिवत् स्थितं चैतन्यरूपवद्ध्यानं तत् समाधिरिहोच्यते
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe dhāraṇā nāma catuḥsaptatyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha pañcasaptatyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ samādhiḥ agnir uvāca yadātmamātraṃ nirbhāsaṃ stimitodadhivat sthitaṃ caitanyarūpavaddhyānaṃ tat samādhirihocyate
So heißt im Agni-Mahāpurāṇa das dreihundertvierundsiebzigste Kapitel „Dhāraṇā“. Nun beginnt das dreihundertfünfundsiebzigste Kapitel: „Samādhi“. Agni sprach: Jene Meditation, in der allein das Selbst (Ātman) aufleuchtet, unbewegt wie ein stiller, regloser Ozean, verweilend in der Gestalt reinen Bewusstseins, wird hier Samādhi genannt.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Operational definition of samādhi for practice: recognize the criterion—Self-luminosity with ocean-like stillness and pure consciousness—so the meditator can assess depth of absorption.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Samādhi-lakṣaṇa: ātma-mātra-nirbhāsa and ocean-like stillness","lookup_keywords":["samādhi definition","ātma-mātra","nirbhāsa","stimita-udadhi","caitanya-rūpa"],"quick_summary":"Samādhi is defined as that meditation where only the Self shines, steady like a motionless ocean, abiding as pure consciousness—marking the transition from dhāraṇā to full absorption."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Ātma-prakāśa (Self-only manifestation) as the hallmark of samādhi; caitanya as the stable ground when vṛttis subside.
Application: In meditation, treat ‘object-fade + awareness-only’ as the diagnostic sign; cultivate steadiness until experience resembles an unmoving ocean (non-reactive clarity).
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dharana–Dhyana–Samadhi / Meditative discipline)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Agni as teacher introducing the chapter on samādhi; a meditator depicted with an inner ocean perfectly still, symbolizing Self-only radiance and pure consciousness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Agni-deva seated as guru with palm-leaf manuscript; beside him a yogin in meditation, behind them a stylized calm ocean with flat wave bands frozen in stillness, bold outlines and sacred palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Agni as radiant teacher with gold halo; meditating yogin framed by a circular vignette of a glassy ocean, heavy gold work for halos and borders, serene symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: Agni pointing to a calm ocean metaphor panel; yogin seated in padmāsana with subtle inner glow, fine detailing and soft coloration","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, Agni as a dignified sage-like figure instructing; a tranquil seascape in the background with mirror-still water, meticulous brushwork, elegant margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional-contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्याग्नेये = इति + आग्नेये; 'अध्यायः' after numerals shows avagraha in text: तमो 'ध्यायः = तमः + अध्यायः; अग्निरुवाच = अग्निः + उवाच; समाधिरिहोच्यते = समाधिः + इह + उच्यते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 374 (Dhāraṇā chapter conclusion); Agni Purana 375.2 (windless flame simile for samādhi-sthiti)
FAQs
It gives a technical definition of samādhi: meditation where only the Self is manifest, steady like a motionless ocean, established as pure consciousness.
Alongside ritual, law, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies yoga terminology—here defining samādhi in precise contemplative language—showing its wide, encyclopedic scope.
By directing the practitioner toward absorption in the Self as pure consciousness, it points to inner purification and liberation-oriented realization, where mental fluctuations become still and clarity of awareness remains.