Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 49
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
नास्मात्परतरं ज्ञानं नास्मात्परतरा स्मृतिः नास्मात्परो ह्य् आगमो ऽस्ति नास्माद्विद्या परास्ति हि
nāsmātparataraṃ jñānaṃ nāsmātparatarā smṛtiḥ nāsmātparo hy āgamo 'sti nāsmādvidyā parāsti hi
Es gibt kein Wissen, das höher wäre als dieses; keine Smṛti, die höher wäre als diese. Wahrlich, es gibt kein Āgama, das diesem überlegen wäre, und in der Tat keine Vidyā, die größer wäre als diese.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s teachings to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Positions the text as unsurpassed across epistemic and normative domains—jñāna, smṛti, āgama, vidyā—supporting its use as a comprehensive guide for doctrine and practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Supremacy-claims: Jñāna, Smṛti, Āgama, Vidyā","lookup_keywords":["jnana","smriti","agama","vidya","pramana"],"quick_summary":"Declares no higher knowledge, smṛti, āgama, or vidyā than this teaching—serving as a capstone endorsement for study, recitation, and application."}
Alamkara Type: Anaphora (repetition of ‘nās māt parataraṃ’)
Concept: Comprehensive śāstric integration: jñāna (insight), smṛti (norms), āgama (ritual/sectarian manuals), and vidyā (disciplines) are presented as harmonized within the Purāṇic corpus.
Application: Use the text as an integrative reference: verify practice (āgama), ethics (smṛti), and worldview (jñāna) in a mutually consistent way.
Khanda Section: Jnana–Smriti–Agama Praśaṃsā (Dharma and Scriptural Authority)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An encyclopedic mandala: four quadrants labeled Jñāna, Smṛti, Āgama, Vidyā converging into a central flame-lit manuscript (Agneya Purāṇa), with sages indicating unity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular mandala composition, four labeled panels around a central glowing text with Agni motif, sages in corners, bold colors and temple-mural stylization","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central scripture with gold aura, four quadrant emblems (lamp of knowledge, law tablet, ritual bell, learning scroll), heavy gold embossing and ornate border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, neat quadrant diagram with teacher-sage, clear labels, soft palette, fine linework suited to instructional encyclopedic theme","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly studio with four groups (philosophers, jurists, ritualists, vidyā-experts) around a central manuscript and small fire brazier, intricate details and calligraphy cartouches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bageshri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नास्मात्परतरं = न + अस्मात् + परतरम्. नास्मात्परो ह्य् = न + अस्मात् + परः + हि (visarga/stop sandhi). आगमो ऽस्ति = आगमः + अस्ति (visarga elision before vowel; avagraha). नास्माद्विद्या = न + अस्मात् + विद्या (t/d sandhi). परास्ति = परा + अस्ति (ā + a → ā).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: encyclopedic vidyā-sections (Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Śilpa, Alamkāra etc.) demonstrating ‘sarva-vidyā’ scope
FAQs
It asserts the unrivaled authority of the specific teaching being presented—identifying it as the highest vidyā and jñāna, and as superior even among Smṛti and Āgama sources—thereby directing the practitioner to treat it as the primary rule-set for doctrine and practice.
The Agni Purana spans many disciplines (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics, etc.); this verse functions as a meta-statement establishing a hierarchy of authority, a common encyclopedic device that legitimizes the compilation by presenting its instruction as a supreme, comprehensive śāstra-standard.
By treating the taught doctrine as the highest authoritative guide, a reader aligns conduct and practice with the most meritorious (dharma-conforming) standard, reducing doubt and error (saṃśaya/bhrānti) and thereby supporting purification and right action.