Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 51
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
नास्मात्परतरं भूमौ विद्यते वस्तु दुर्लभम् आग्नेये हि पुराणे ऽस्मिन् सर्वविद्याः प्रदर्शिताः
nāsmātparataraṃ bhūmau vidyate vastu durlabham āgneye hi purāṇe 'smin sarvavidyāḥ pradarśitāḥ
On earth, nothing rarer than this is to be found; for in this Agni Purāṇa all branches of knowledge are set forth and made manifest.
Lord Agni (traditional frame: Agni instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Positions the Agni Purāṇa as a single-source compendium for multidisciplinary learning (vidyā-saṅgraha) and curriculum design.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Agni Purāṇa as Sarva-vidyā-pradarśaka (Encyclopedic Compendium)","lookup_keywords":["sarva-vidyā","āgneyapurāṇa","durlabha","vidyā-saṅgraha","encyclopedic"],"quick_summary":"Declares the text rare on earth because it displays all branches of knowledge; it legitimizes using the Purāṇa as an integrated handbook across disciplines."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic rarity)
Concept: Integration of multiple vidyās within a Purāṇic framework; knowledge as a unified ecosystem rather than isolated śāstras.
Application: Use as a structured syllabus: begin with narratives and dharma, then proceed to ritual/āgama, arts, polity, medicine, and liberation-oriented teachings.
Khanda Section: Phala-shruti / Purana-mahatmya (Agni Purana as an encyclopedic compendium of vidyās)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic 'tree of knowledge' emerging from the Agni Purāṇa manuscript, with labeled branches for Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Śilpa, Vāstu, Alaṅkāra, Mantra, and Dharma.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large palm-leaf manuscript at center, stylized tree sprouting labeled vidyā-branches, agni glow behind, bold outlines, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central grantha on pedestal with gold leaf, radiating lotus-petals each inscribed with a vidyā, ornate frame, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic composition: manuscript with branching labels (Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Śilpa, Vāstu, Alaṅkāra, Mantra), clean lines, soft washes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar’s studio with multiple open books titled by disciplines, central Agni Purāṇa volume, delicate calligraphy panels, floral margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नास्मात् = न + अस्मात्; पुराणेऽस्मिन् = पुराणे + अस्मिन्; सर्वविद्याः = सर्व + विद्याः (समास/समाहार-भाव).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: sections on Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Śilpa/Vāstu, Alaṅkāra, Nīti/Artha, Mantra/Āgama (distributed across the text)
FAQs
The verse does not teach a single procedure; it asserts that the Agni Purāṇa contains and expounds “all vidyās,” i.e., a wide range of practical and śāstric disciplines (ritual, governance, medicine, warfare, arts, and literature).
By explicitly claiming “sarva-vidyāḥ pradarśitāḥ,” it frames the text as a comprehensive compendium rather than a single-topic Purāṇa, legitimizing its multi-subject chapters (e.g., pūjā-vidhi, vāstu, rājadharma, āyurveda, dhanurveda, alaṅkāra-śāstra).
As a praise-statement (phala-śruti tone), it elevates the Agni Purāṇa as a rare sacred resource; engaging with it (study, hearing, preservation) is implied to yield religious merit through contact with a text presented as containing complete dharmic and practical instruction.