Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 3
Chapter 381 — यमगीता
Yama-gītā
भोगेषु शक्तिः सततं तथैवात्मावलोकनं श्रेयः परं मनुष्यानां कपिलोद्गीतमेव हि
bhogeṣu śaktiḥ satataṃ tathaivātmāvalokanaṃ śreyaḥ paraṃ manuṣyānāṃ kapilodgītameva hi
Constant discipline regarding sense-enjoyments—and likewise the steady contemplation of the Self—indeed is the highest good for human beings; for this is precisely what Kapila has proclaimed.
Lord Agni (narrating Kapila’s teaching within the Agni Purana’s moksha-dharma material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Practice sense-discipline (indriya-nigraha) alongside regular self-inquiry/meditation to stabilize mind and reduce compulsive pleasure-seeking.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kapila’s śreyas: restraint in enjoyments and Self-contemplation","lookup_keywords":["Kapila","bhoga-niyama","atma-alokana","shreyas","Sankhya-Yoga"],"quick_summary":"Highest welfare is sustained discipline toward sense-objects together with steady contemplation of the Self. The teaching integrates ethical restraint and contemplative insight."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka/parallelism (balanced pairing of practices)
Concept: Shreyas arises from (1) regulated engagement with pleasures (not slavery to them) and (2) unwavering atma-vichara/atma-dhyana; a Sankhya-Yoga synthesis attributed to Kapila.
Application: Adopt yama/niyama-like restraints, mindful consumption, daily meditation/self-inquiry, and periodic withdrawal (pratyahara) to weaken raga-dvesha.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Sankhya-Yoga (Kapila-upadesha)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sage Kapila instructs seekers: one side shows temptations of sense-objects being calmly regulated; the other shows the same seeker seated in meditation, gazing inward.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Kapila with matted hair and ochre robes, teaching gesture, disciples seated; symbolic panels of controlled senses (food, music, ornaments) and a meditating figure with lotus-heart motif, saturated reds/greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Kapila with gold halo, ornate border; two vignettes—disciplined enjoyment (measured offerings, restrained gaze) and atma-dhyana (seated yogi), gold embossing on halo and ornaments, serene mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: Kapila pointing to a diagram-like split scene labeled bhoga-niyama and atma-alokana, soft colors, fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hermitage setting with Kapila on a low seat, disciples with manuscripts; detailed still-life of sense-objects set aside, and a meditating ascetic in the background, delicate brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथैवात्मावलोकनं → तथा एव आत्म-अवलोकनम्; कपिलोद्गीतमेव → कपिल-उद्गीतम् एव.
Related Themes: Moksha-dharma: Sankhya-Yoga (Kapila-upadesha); Agni Purana yoga/adhyatma teachings on indriya-nigraha and dhyana
FAQs
It imparts moksha-vidya: disciplined restraint in relation to sense-objects (bhoga-niyama) together with sustained self-contemplation (ātmāvalokana) as the practical method for attaining the highest good.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves liberation-oriented doctrines; this verse exemplifies its inclusion of Sāṅkhya-Yoga style instruction attributed to Kapila, showing the text’s wide coverage from outer rites to inner realization.
By cultivating mastery over enjoyment and turning awareness toward the Self, one reduces binding desire and attachment, purifies intention, and moves toward the supreme welfare (śreyas)—liberation rather than further karmic entanglement.