Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 11
Chapter 378: Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
ऐश्वर्यस्य समग्रस्य वीर्यस्य यशसः श्रियः ज्ञानवैराग्ययोश् चैव षणां भग इतीङ्गना
aiśvaryasya samagrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ jñānavairāgyayoś caiva ṣaṇāṃ bhaga itīṅganā
The term “bhaga” is said to denote these six: complete sovereignty (aiśvarya), valor/potency (vīrya), fame (yaśas), prosperity/fortune (śrī), knowledge (jñāna), and dispassion (vairāgya).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Define ‘Bhagavān’ via the sixfold ‘bhaga’ to guide theology, devotional praise, and criteria for supreme divinity in sectarian debates.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ṣaḍ-bhaga: Six constituents of ‘Bhaga’","lookup_keywords":["ṣaḍ-bhaga","aiśvarya","vīrya","yaśas","śrī","jñāna","vairāgya"],"quick_summary":"Bhaga is enumerated as six perfections—sovereignty, potency, fame, prosperity, knowledge, and dispassion. ‘Bhagavān’ is the one in whom these are complete and integral."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (enumeration)
Concept: The supreme Lord is characterized by the fullness of six perfections (ṣaḍ-bhaga), integrating power with knowledge and detachment.
Application: Use the sixfold list as a contemplative checklist in devotion and as a doctrinal definition when interpreting ‘Bhagavān’ in scripture.
Khanda Section: Bhagavata-tattva / Ishvara-lakshana (Definition of Bhagavan and divine attributes)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A conceptual tableau of six emblems around the Lord: crown/throne (aiśvarya), radiant strength (vīrya), heraldic banner (yaśas), lotus and gold (śrī), book/light (jñāna), ascetic calm (vairāgya).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Vishnu-like central figure with six symbolic medallions around, bold outlines, traditional ornaments, deep reds/greens, each medallion picturing one bhaga","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Bhagavān with heavy gold halo, six gold-embossed icons around representing the ṣaḍ-bhaga, rich textiles and jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic yet elegant arrangement of six attributes with captions, central deity figure calm and symmetrical, fine detailing and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical court scene where a sovereign figure embodies aiśvarya while surrounding attendants carry symbols of fame, prosperity, knowledge, and ascetic detachment, intricate border"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: jñānavairāgyayoś caiva = jñāna-vairāgyayoḥ ca eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 378.12
FAQs
It imparts a technical theological definition: ‘bhaga’ is the sixfold set of divine excellences (ṣaḍ-aiśvarya) used to identify Bhagavān as one who possesses them in fullness.
By giving a compact, near-dictionary definition of a key doctrinal term (bhaga/Bhagavān), it functions like a purāṇic glossary entry—one of the Agni Purāṇa’s hallmark encyclopedic features alongside its many other subject-matter digests.
It clarifies the criteria for recognizing the Supreme Lord: devotion directed toward the one possessing these six perfections is presented as properly grounded in right understanding (jñāna), supporting stable faith and detachment (vairāgya).