Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 26
Chapter 381 — यमगीता
Yama-gītā
सो ऽध्वानं परमाप्नोति तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम् इन्द्रियेभ्यः परा ह्य् अर्था अर्थेभ्यश् च परं मनः
so 'dhvānaṃ paramāpnoti tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padam indriyebhyaḥ parā hy arthā arthebhyaś ca paraṃ manaḥ
He attains the supreme course, that highest station of Viṣṇu. Sense-objects (viṣaya) are indeed higher than the senses; and higher than the objects is the mind (manas).
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vedanta","practical_application":"Use the hierarchy (senses < objects < mind) to reverse attention inward: withdraw from objects, steady the mind, and orient toward the supreme goal (parama pada of Viṣṇu).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Hierarchy of Faculties and Goal: Indriya–Artha–Manas and Viṣṇu’s Parama Pada","lookup_keywords":["indriya artha manas","faculty hierarchy","parama pada","visnu padam","adhvan"],"quick_summary":"Gives a graded hierarchy—objects surpass senses, mind surpasses objects—and links successful ascent to attaining Viṣṇu’s highest station. Practical takeaway: mastery requires moving from sensory engagement to mental governance and then to the supreme aim."}
Concept: A graded interiorization: senses are subordinate to objects in their pull, yet mind stands above objects; by mastering mind one reaches the supreme path culminating in Viṣṇu’s highest state.
Application: Practice ‘ladder’ withdrawal: reduce object-contact (viṣaya-saṅga), then stabilize mind through one-pointedness; keep the ultimate telos (parama pada) as constant orientation.
Khanda Section: Moksha-yoga / Vedanta-sara (Hierarchy of faculties and the Supreme Goal)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Sacred realm/state
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stepped hierarchy diagram rising from senses to objects to mind, culminating in a radiant Viṣṇu ‘parama pada’ above; a seeker ascends inwardly rather than outwardly.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: vertical cosmic ladder—indriyas as horses at base, viṣayas as colorful fields above them, manas as a calm lotus-throne above, culminating in radiant Viṣṇu at the top labeled Parama Pada; ornate temple-mural framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Viṣṇu with gold halo at top tier; below, stacked symbolic panels for manas, artha, indriya; heavy gold work, jewel tones, symmetrical devotional geometry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean pedagogic ‘hierarchy chart’ rendered as a traditional painting—tiers with Sanskrit labels, seeker figure meditating, subtle Viṣṇu icon at apex; clarity and softness.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: a scholar-sage ascending terraces in a palace-garden—lower terraces filled with sensory delights (objects), higher terrace quiet (mind), top pavilion radiant with Viṣṇu symbolism; fine architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सः+अध्वानम्→सोऽध्वानम्; परम्+आप्नोति→परमाप्नोति; तत्+विष्णोः→तद्विष्णोः; पराः+हि→परा हि (ह्यादेशः); अर्थेभ्यः+च→अर्थेभ्यश्च
Related Themes: Agni Purana 381.22 (chariot model); Agni Purana 381.25 (moksha via mind-control and vijñāna)
FAQs
It imparts mokṣa-yoga knowledge: discernment (viveka) of the hierarchy—senses < sense-objects < mind—so one restrains sensory pull and stabilizes the mind toward the supreme goal (Viṣṇu’s paramapada).
Alongside rituals, polity, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves concise Vedāntic psychology—mapping faculties (indriya, artha, manas) and linking them to liberation—showing its breadth as a compendium of practical and philosophical knowledge.
By recognizing objects as more compelling than senses and placing mastery in the mind, one reduces attachment-driven karma and becomes fit to attain the supreme state described as Viṣṇu’s highest abode.