Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 32
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
अविभक्तञ्च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् भूतभर्तृ च विज्ञेयं ग्रसिष्णु प्रभविष्णु च
avibhaktañca bhūteṣu vibhaktamiva ca sthitam bhūtabhartṛ ca vijñeyaṃ grasiṣṇu prabhaviṣṇu ca
Er ist unter den Wesen ungeteilt, und doch steht er da, als wäre er geteilt. Er ist zu erkennen als der Erhalter der Wesen — ebenso als der Verschlinger bei der Auflösung und als der Ursprung bei der Schöpfung.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Contemplate unity-in-diversity and the cyclic functions of creation, sustenance, dissolution as expressions of one Reality; supports nondual understanding amid worldly plurality.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Brahman as Undivided Yet Appearing Divided; Source and Dissolver","lookup_keywords":["avibhakta","vibhaktam iva","bhuta-bhartri","grasishnu","prabhavishnu"],"quick_summary":"Explains that the One appears as many without real division, sustaining beings, originating them at creation and absorbing them at dissolution."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha; Samasa-arthokti (compressed cosmological statement)
Concept: Non-division of Brahman despite apparent multiplicity; Brahman as the ground of creation, maintenance, and dissolution.
Application: When perceiving plurality, practice ‘one-substratum’ recognition; reduce attachment and fear by seeing dissolution as return to the source.
Khanda Section: Vedanta / Brahma-vidya (Philosophical-Theological Section on the Supreme Reality)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A single luminous Reality appearing as many beings; from it worlds emerge, are sustained, and finally are reabsorbed—shown as a cycle around the central light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central Narayana-like aura, outer ring shows lotus-born creation, middle ring shows beings protected, final ring shows reabsorption into cosmic waters/fire, bold outlines, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central gold-embossed mandala as Brahman, three surrounding vignettes labeled srishti-sthiti-pralaya, heavy gold for the cycle, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, schematic cosmology wheel: one center (avibhakta) with spokes to many beings (vibhaktam iva), arrows for emanation and reabsorption, fine linework and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical triptych within one frame: left creation scene, center daily life sustained, right dissolution into swirling clouds/waters, all connected by a subtle luminous thread."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"awe-filled","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अविभक्तञ्च = अविभक्तम् + च; भूतभर्तृ च = भूतभर्तृ + च
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380.31; Agni Purana 380.33; Agni Purana cosmology sections on pralaya/srishti (elsewhere in Purana)
FAQs
This verse imparts Brahma-vidyā/Vedānta knowledge: the Supreme Reality is indivisible yet appears differentiated through beings, and functions as creator, sustainer, and dissolver of the cosmos.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves compact Vedāntic cosmology—summarizing creation (prabhava), sustenance (bhūtabhartṛ), and dissolution (grasiṣṇu) as functions of the one Reality.
Contemplating the one undivided Reality in all beings reduces ego-based separation, supports equanimity, and is presented as a liberating insight (jñāna) that purifies perception and action.