Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 14
Adhyāya 375 — समाधिः
Samādhi
आकाशमेकं हि यथा घटादिषु पृथग् भवेत् तथात्मैको ह्य् अनेकेषु जलाधारेष्विवांशुमान्
ākāśamekaṃ hi yathā ghaṭādiṣu pṛthag bhavet tathātmaiko hy anekeṣu jalādhāreṣvivāṃśumān
Just as the one space appears as though divided among pots and the like, so the one Self appears as though many among numerous bodies—like the sun reflected in many containers of water.
Lord Agni (instructional narration within the Agni Purana discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vedanta","practical_application":"Apply the pot-space and sun-reflection analogies to dissolve the sense of many selves; practice discrimination (viveka) between the one consciousness and its limiting adjuncts (upādhis).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ākāśa-ghaṭa and sūrya-jala analogies for one Self appearing many","lookup_keywords":["ghatākāśa","pratibimba","ātman","upādhi","advaita"],"quick_summary":"The Self is one; multiplicity is only apparent due to limiting conditions—like space seeming divided by pots and the sun seeming many in water-reflections."}
Alamkara Type: Drishtanta
Concept: Ekatva of Ātman/Brahman; bheda is ābhāsa caused by upādhi (body-mind) like pot-limits and water-reflections.
Application: In meditation, notice awareness as the ‘space’ in which thoughts arise; treat individuality as a functional reflection, not ultimate reality.
Khanda Section: Vedanta / Atma-Jnana (Non-dual Self-knowledge; Brahma-vidya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A single vast sky shown behind many pots; beside it, one sun reflected in multiple water jars, illustrating one reality appearing as many.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized pots in a row with the same blue ‘space’ inside each, and a golden sun mirrored in many small water vessels, bold outlines, traditional floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central radiant sun with gold leaf, multiple small kalashas below with shimmering reflections, ornate frame, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean didactic layout: pots cutaway showing continuous space, water bowls with sun reflections, soft gradients, precise detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard scene with earthen pots and brass bowls, realistic reflections, delicate sky wash, fine architectural background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथात्मैको = तथा + आत्मा + एकः; ह्य् = हि; जलाधारेष्विव = जलाधारेषु + इव; इवांशुमान् = इव + अंशुमान्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vedanta/Atma-jnana passages employing drishtanta and upadhi-vada (within Moksha-dharma/Vedanta khanda)
FAQs
This verse imparts Brahma-vidya/Atma-jnana: a Vedantic discernment that the Self is one and indivisible, while multiplicity is only an appearance caused by limiting adjuncts (like pots or water-containers).
Alongside rituals, governance, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves core philosophical instruction; this verse exemplifies its Vedanta layer by using classical analogies (space-in-pots, sun-in-water) to teach metaphysics and liberation-oriented knowledge.
By recognizing the apparent individuality as a reflection-like superimposition on the one Self, a practitioner weakens ego-identification and attachment, supporting inner purification and progress toward moksha (liberation).