Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 55
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
ऋतुर्वर्षसहस्रान्ते पुनस्तन्नगरं ययौ निदाघं नगरप्रान्ते एकान्ते स्थितमब्रवीत् एकान्ते स्थीयते कस्मान्निदाघं ऋतुरब्रवीत्
ṛturvarṣasahasrānte punastannagaraṃ yayau nidāghaṃ nagaraprānte ekānte sthitamabravīt ekānte sthīyate kasmānnidāghaṃ ṛturabravīt
At the end of a thousand years, Ṛtu again went to that city. Seeing Nidāgha standing alone on the outskirts of the town, in a secluded place, he spoke: “Nidāgha, for what reason are you staying in solitude?”—thus said Ṛtu to Nidāgha.
Ṛtu (addressing Nidāgha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Narrative frame for teaching detachment: solitude (ekanta) becomes a prompt for self-examination and guidance under a teacher; encourages periodic retreat and reflective dialogue.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rtu Returns After a Thousand Years: Questioning Nidagha’s Solitude","lookup_keywords":["Rtu return","varsha-sahasra","Nidagha ekanta","nagara-pranta","vairagya dialogue"],"quick_summary":"After a long interval, the teacher revisits the disciple and finds him in solitude, initiating inquiry into the reason for seclusion—setting the stage for deeper instruction on detachment and knowledge."}
Alamkara Type: Prashna (interrogative) and Itivritta (narrative)
Concept: Ekanta (solitude) is examined: whether it is mere physical isolation or true inner detachment; sets up discrimination between external and internal renunciation.
Application: Adopt periodic solitude with inquiry; test whether solitude reduces ego and craving or merely changes location.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra / Niti-katha (Didactic dialogue on detachment and self-knowledge)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta (time-span wonder)
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A city outskirts scene: Nidagha stands alone in a quiet spot beyond the town; Rtu arrives after a long time and questions him about his solitude.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized city gate at left, quiet grove at right, Nidagha standing in ekanta, Rtu approaching with calm authority, warm earth palette, narrative clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, town edge with decorative architecture, two sages highlighted with gold accents, emphasis on the moment of questioning, ornate border framing the scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, detailed but gentle landscape, clear body language: teacher approaching, disciple in composed solitude, instructional narrative composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic outskirts with walls and fields, two ascetics meeting, fine foliage and architecture, subtle depiction of long time via seasonal motifs"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऋतुर्वर्षसहस्रान्ते = ऋतुः + वर्षसहस्रान्ते; पुनस्तन्नगरम् = पुनः + तत् + नगरम्; स्थितमब्रवीत् = स्थितम् + अब्रवीत्; कस्मान्निदाघम् = कस्मात् + निदाघम्; ऋतुरब्रवीत् = ऋतुः + अब्रवीत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 379 (continuation of Nidagha–Rtu samvada narrative)
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse initiates a didactic inquiry—Ṛtu questions Nidāgha’s practice of solitude, setting up instruction on renunciation and self-knowledge.
Alongside ritual, law, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves philosophical and ethical dialogues; this narrative segment functions as a compact teaching unit on vairāgya (detachment) through question-and-answer.
The question highlights solitude as a conscious spiritual discipline; it frames renunciation as something to be examined for right understanding, not merely adopted outwardly.