Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 41
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
द्वादशात्मा पञ्चविंशः षड्विंशव्यूहकस् तथा पुरुषो धीरहङ्कारो मनश्चित्तञ्च शब्दकः
dvādaśātmā pañcaviṃśaḥ ṣaḍviṃśavyūhakas tathā puruṣo dhīrahaṅkāro manaścittañca śabdakaḥ
He is of twelvefold nature; he is the twenty-fifth principle; and likewise he is arranged as the twenty-sixfold configuration (vyūha). He is the Puruṣa, with steadfast ahaṅkāra, with manas and citta, and he is characterized by śabda (sound).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Tattva-nirupana for meditation and discrimination: understand Purusha’s status (as 25th/26th principle in varying enumerations) and the functional emergence of inner instruments (ahamkara, manas, citta) and tanmatra marker (shabda) to guide yogic analysis.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Purusha and tattva enumeration (12-fold, 25th, 26th; ahamkara–manas–citta; shabda)","lookup_keywords":["Sankhya","Purusha","25th tattva","26th tattva","ahamkara"],"quick_summary":"Defines Purusha’s placement in tattva-counts and links inner faculties and sound-principle; used for metaphysical clarity in yoga and for aligning ritual cosmology with philosophical categories."}
Concept: Tattva-viveka: Purusha distinct from evolutes; inner instruments (antahkarana) and tanmatras are categorized for liberation-oriented discernment.
Application: In meditation, observe ahamkara/manas/citta as objects; rest as witnessing Purusha; use tattva-count as a scaffold for pratyahara and dhyana.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Yoga / Tattva-nirupana (Cosmology and categories of existence)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmological chart-like vision: Purusha as luminous witness above a layered schema of tattvas—ahamkara, manas, citta—and the subtle sound principle (shabda) depicted as vibrating ether.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural cosmogram: central radiant Purusha figure, concentric bands labeled as tattvas, stylized sound-waves in akasha, traditional ornamental borders and flat color fields","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore iconized metaphysics: Purusha as golden luminous presence, surrounding lotus-petals representing tattvas (25/26), embossed gold for the central witness, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting as didactic diagram: neat concentric circles or vertical ladder of tattvas with Purusha at top, fine lines, soft colors, clear labels for ahamkara/manas/citta/shabda","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature manuscript illustration: a sage teaching Sankhya with a painted chart, Purusha shown as a haloed silhouette, delicate calligraphy naming tattvas, refined palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षड्विंशव्यूहकस्→षड्विंशव्यूहकः; मनश्चित्तञ्च→मनः चित्तम् च; (धीरहङ्कारो→धीर अहङ्कारः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25.42 (tanmatras, jnanendriyas, karmendriyas list)
FAQs
It imparts tattva-vidyā: a Sāṅkhya-style mapping of reality, identifying Puruṣa (the 25th principle) and related inner faculties (ahaṅkāra, manas, citta) along with śabda as a defining subtle characteristic.
By incorporating systematic metaphysical taxonomy (tattva-vyūha) alongside devotional and ritual material, it shows the Agni Purana’s broad scope—preserving philosophical psychology and cosmology in a Purāṇic framework.
Discriminating Puruṣa from the mind–ego complex supports self-knowledge (viveka), which is traditionally held to weaken bondage-causing identification and thereby aid purification and liberation-oriented practice.