Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 37
Explanation of the Final Dissolution (Ātyantika Laya) and the Arising of Hiraṇyagarbha — Subtle Body, Post-Death Transit, Rebirth, and Embodied Constituents
धर्मेप्सा मोक्षकामित्वं परा भक्तिश् च केशवे दाक्षिण्यं व्यवसायित्वं सात्विकानि विनिर्दिशेत्
dharmepsā mokṣakāmitvaṃ parā bhaktiś ca keśave dākṣiṇyaṃ vyavasāyitvaṃ sātvikāni vinirdiśet
Desire for dharma, longing for liberation (mokṣa), supreme devotion (bhakti) to Keśava, generosity, and steadfast resolve—these are declared to be Sāttvika qualities.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Bhakti-Yoga","practical_application":"Defines sāttvika qualities for personal cultivation and devotional life—useful as a behavioral standard for practitioners and leaders.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sāttvika-guṇa: dharma, mokṣa, bhakti, dākṣiṇya, vyavasāya","lookup_keywords":["sāttvika","dharma-īpsā","mokṣa-kāmitva","bhakti","dākṣiṇya","vyavasāya"],"quick_summary":"Sattva is marked by dharmic aspiration, desire for liberation, supreme devotion to Keśava, generosity, and steadfast resolve—traits to be intentionally cultivated."}
Concept: Sattva is the inner clarity that naturally aligns with dharma, mokṣa-orientation, and devotion; it expresses outwardly as generosity and steady effort.
Application: Adopt a sāttvika regimen: daily dharma-practice, remembrance of Keśava (japa/pūjā), charitable giving, and consistent vows/commitments (vyavasāya).
Khanda Section: Dharma & Gunatraya (Sattva–Rajas–Tamas) / Bhakti-Yoga Teachings
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene devotee offering flowers to Keśava; surrounding symbolic panels show dharma (scales or scripture), mokṣa (open gate/light), generosity (giving alms), and steadfast resolve (a firm pillar).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu/Keśava in calm posture with four arms, devotee in añjali, luminous sāttvika palette (greens, ochres), side motifs for dāna and dharma, temple-wall composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Keśava with gold-leaf halo and ornaments, devotee offering lotus, rich gold work emphasizing parā-bhakti; small narrative medallions for dākṣiṇya and vyavasāya.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean devotional scene with labeled virtues (dharma-īpsā, mokṣa-kāmitva, bhakti, dākṣiṇya, vyavasāya) arranged like an instructional chart around the central worship.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior shrine scene: devotee performing pūjā to Viṣṇu icon, soft light symbolizing mokṣa, attendants distributing charity outside; delicate detailing and calligraphic captions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dharmepsā → dharma-epsā. bhaktiś ca → bhaktiḥ + ca. vinirdiśet analyzed as vi+nir+√diś, optative 3sg.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 368.35 (tāmasa list); Agni Purana 368.36 (rājasa list)
FAQs
It imparts ethical-spiritual criteria for identifying Sāttvika disposition: dharma-oriented conduct, mokṣa-oriented intent, devotion to Keśava, generosity, and steadfast resolve—used as a practical yardstick for self-assessment and conduct.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also systematizes inner disciplines—here cataloging guṇa-based virtues—showing its wide scope from external rites to psychological-ethical taxonomy.
Cultivating these Sāttvika traits purifies intention and action, strengthens bhakti to Viṣṇu (Keśava), and aligns one toward mokṣa, thereby reducing rajasic/tamasic impulses that bind karma.