Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 25
Chapter 378: Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
तस्या ब्रह्मणि संयोगो योग इत्य् अभिधीयते विनिष्पन्दः समाधिस्थः परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति
tasyā brahmaṇi saṃyogo yoga ity abhidhīyate viniṣpandaḥ samādhisthaḥ paraṃ brahmādhigacchati
Its union with Brahman is called ‘yoga’; established in samādhi, free from all vibration of mental activity, one attains the Supreme Brahman.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition of the Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Define yoga as brahma-samyoga and aim for nirvishpanda (cessation of mental vibration) through samadhi to realize Parabrahman.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Yoga as Union with Brahman; Samadhi as Nirvishpanda","lookup_keywords":["yoga-definition","brahma-samyoga","samadhi","vinishpanda","para-brahman"],"quick_summary":"Yoga is defined as union with Brahman; when samadhi is established and mental vibration ceases, realization of the Supreme Brahman follows."}
Concept: Brahman-realization is attained through samadhi characterized by cessation of vrittis (vinishpanda).
Application: Treat meditation not as mere relaxation but as progressive quieting of mental modifications; stabilize attention until thought-waves subside and non-dual awareness becomes evident.
Khanda Section: Yoga and Brahma-vidya (Moksha-dharma / Adhyatma-vidya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator enters deep samadhi; surrounding ripples of thought subside into a still, luminous expanse symbolizing Parabrahman.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogin in padmasana within a circular mandala, stylized waves around the head gradually flatten into a calm halo, deep reds/ochres, sacred stillness emphasized","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yogin with large gold aureole, background transitioning from patterned world to plain radiant field, gold-leaf used to depict the ‘supreme’ luminosity, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise visual: small panels showing mind-waves reducing to stillness, final panel with yogin in samadhi and a subtle formless radiance, precise and didactic","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, quiet night hermitage, yogin seated by a dim lamp, faint concentric rings in the air fading away, refined minimalism and delicate shading to convey stillness"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: योगः + इति → योग इति; इति + अभिधीयते → इत्यभिधीयते; ब्रह्म + अधिगच्छति → ब्रह्माधिगच्छति
Related Themes: Agni Purana 378.26 (limbs leading toward samadhi); Agni Purana 378.27 (saguna/nirguna supports for mind)
FAQs
It defines yoga technically as brahma-saṃyoga (union with Brahman) and states that viniṣpanda—cessation of mental vibration—while established in samādhi culminates in realization of the Supreme Brahman.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves concise yoga–vedānta doctrine: a definitional statement of yoga, a practical meditative criterion (viniṣpanda), and the soteriological goal (brahman-attainment).
It presents liberation (mokṣa) as the fruit of stabilized samādhi: when mental movements subside and consciousness rests in Brahman, one transcends ordinary karmic bondage through direct realization.