Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 37
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
गुणा वर्तन्त इत्य् एव यो ऽवतिष्ठति नेङ्गते मानावमानमित्रारितुल्यस्त्यागी स निर्गुणः
guṇā vartanta ity eva yo 'vatiṣṭhati neṅgate mānāvamānamitrāritulyastyāgī sa nirguṇaḥ
He who remains established in the understanding, “the qualities (guṇas) alone operate,” and therefore does not waver—who regards honor and dishonor, friend and enemy as equal, and who is a renouncer—he is truly nirguṇa, beyond the guṇas.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Sannyasa-yoga","practical_application":"Cultivates equanimity and renunciation by shifting identity from guṇa-driven reactions to witnessing awareness; supports steadiness amid praise/blame and social conflict.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nirguṇa-lakṣaṇa: equanimous renouncer established in guṇa-viveka","lookup_keywords":["nirguṇa","guṇa-viveka","mānāpamāna-samatā","mitra-ari-samatā","tyāga"],"quick_summary":"One who knows ‘only the guṇas act,’ remains unmoved, treats honor/dishonor and friend/enemy alike, and lives in renunciation is described as nirguṇa (beyond guṇas)."}
Concept: Guṇa-kartṛtva-vāda (agency belongs to guṇas/prakṛti) leading to non-reactivity; nirguṇatva is expressed as equanimity and renunciation.
Application: Practice ‘guṇāḥ vartante’ reflection during triggers (praise/blame, conflict): pause, label the arising guṇa, respond from dharma rather than ego; adopt simple living and reduced possessiveness.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Sannyasa-yoga (Nirguna-lakshana; Guna-traya-viveka)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene renouncer sits unmoving while scenes of praise and insult, friend and enemy, swirl around; above, subtle symbols of the three guṇas turning like a wheel, indicating ‘guṇas operate.’","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central ascetic in dhyāna with calm face, surrounding vignettes of garlanding (honor) and jeering (dishonor), friend and foe mirrored, a triguṇa wheel motif overhead, saturated reds/greens with strong outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ascetic with gold halo seated on tiger-skin, symmetrical panels showing honor/dishonor and friend/enemy, ornate gold work emphasizing stillness amid contrast, temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition with balanced symmetry, labels for māna/apamāna and mitra/ari, soft colors, emphasis on the steady posture and composed gaze of the tyāgī","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a courtyard while two groups approach—one offering gifts, one threatening—yet he remains poised; fine detailing of expressions, muted palette, philosophical allegory"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्येव = इति + एव; योऽवतिष्ठति = यः + अवतिष्ठति; नेङ्गते = न + इङ्गते; मानावमानमित्रारितुल्यस्त्यागी = मान + अवमान + मित्र + अरि + तुल्यः + त्यागी (समास/संयोग)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380 (Nirguṇa-lakṣaṇa; guṇa-traya-viveka)
FAQs
It imparts sāṅkhya-yogic discernment: recognizing that actions and experiences arise from the guṇas, enabling steadiness and renunciation rather than ritual procedure.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves mokṣa-śāstra: concise yogic criteria for liberation (equanimity and guṇa-viveka), showing its wide-ranging, encyclopedic scope.
Seeing the guṇas as the agents dissolves ego-doership; equanimity toward praise/blame and friend/enemy reduces karmic binding and supports liberation-oriented renunciation.