Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 31
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
इति कालाग्निरूपेण गीतं मे हरिणा पुरा आग्नेयं हि पुराणं वै ब्रह्मविद्याद्वयास्पदम् विद्याद्वयं वसिष्ठेदं भक्तेभ्यः कथयिष्यसि
iti kālāgnirūpeṇa gītaṃ me hariṇā purā āgneyaṃ hi purāṇaṃ vai brahmavidyādvayāspadam vidyādvayaṃ vasiṣṭhedaṃ bhaktebhyaḥ kathayiṣyasi
Thus, in the form of Time-and-Fire (Kāla-Agni), Hari sang this to me long ago. Indeed, the Agneya Purāṇa is the very abode of the twofold knowledge of Brahman. O Vasiṣṭha, you will expound this twofold knowledge to the devotees.
Lord Agni (narrator) addressing Sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Frames the Agneya Purana as a vehicle for brahma-vidyā in two modes; guides teachers to transmit integrated knowledge (spiritual and applied) to devotees.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Agneya Purana as Brahmavidya-Dvaya-Aspada (Seat of Twofold Knowledge)","lookup_keywords":["brahmavidya-dvaya","kala-agni-rupa","Hari","Vasistha","Agneya Purana authority"],"quick_summary":"The text self-identifies as taught by Hari in the form of Time-and-Fire and as an abode of ‘twofold Brahma-knowledge’, to be expounded by Vasiṣṭha for devotees—linking metaphysical insight with comprehensive instruction."}
Concept: Brahmavidyā as ‘dvaya’—a paired or two-aspect knowledge—presented as the Purana’s core seat; divine revelation mediated through guru (Vasiṣṭha) to bhaktas.
Application: Study with a teacher who can integrate metaphysical teaching with the Purana’s applied vidyās; treat the text as a structured curriculum rather than only narrative.
Khanda Section: Brahmavidya / Purana-Phala-Śruti (Agneya Purāṇa as a seat of twofold knowledge)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hari revealed as Kāla-Agni—an awe-inspiring divine form blending a luminous Vishnu presence with flames and a wheel of time—teaching the doctrine to a listening sage; Vasiṣṭha is shown receiving the mandate to teach devotees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central figure Hari as Kāla-Agni-rūpa with stylized flames and a time-wheel halo, sages seated in reverent posture, Vasiṣṭha highlighted as recipient, bold outlines, sacred adbhuta mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Hari enthroned with gold halo and flame motifs, ornate jewelry, gold foil emphasizing the time-wheel and fire aura, Vasiṣṭha at the side holding palm-leaf manuscript, devotional grandeur.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined faces and soft gradients: teacher-disciple scene with Hari’s symbolic Kāla-Agni aura (subtle flames, circular time-disc), Vasiṣṭha pointing to a manuscript labeled ‘Brahmavidyā-dvaya’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly assembly of sages, a radiant divine figure with flame-like aureole and circular time motif, Vasiṣṭha receiving instruction, intricate borders and delicate detailing, wonder-filled atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kālāgnirūpeṇa = kāla-agni-rūpeṇa; brahmavidyādvayāspadam = brahma-vidyā-dvaya-āspadam; vasiṣṭhedam = vasiṣṭha + idam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Brahmavidyā/Upaniṣadic summary portions; Agni Purana sections enumerating multiple vidyās (Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Śilpa, etc.) as ‘apara’ alongside ‘para’
FAQs
It identifies the Agneya Purāṇa as the repository of “brahma-vidyā-dvaya” (twofold Brahman-knowledge) and instructs Vasiṣṭha to transmit that integrated spiritual knowledge to devotees.
By presenting the text as an “āspada” (authoritative seat) for a comprehensive twofold doctrinal framework, it signals that the Agni Purāṇa is not only narrative but also a structured compendium of higher knowledge meant for systematic teaching.
The verse frames teaching as a devotional transmission: imparting Brahma-knowledge to bhaktas is portrayed as a sanctifying duty that preserves revelation and guides devotees toward liberation-oriented understanding.