Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 3
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
कालावधि परिच्छिन्नं देहे संस्थापितं मनः न प्रच्यवति यल्लक्ष्याद्धारणा साभिधीयते
kālāvadhi paricchinnaṃ dehe saṃsthāpitaṃ manaḥ na pracyavati yallakṣyāddhāraṇā sābhidhīyate
Cuando la mente, establecida en el cuerpo por un tiempo delimitado, no se desliza fuera de su objeto previsto (lakṣya), eso se denomina dhāraṇā (concentración).
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Internal-body concentration: fix mind in a bodily locus (heart, brow, navel) for a defined time without slipping from the target.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dhāraṇā as Time-Bound Internal Fixation (Deha-ādhāra)","lookup_keywords":["deha","lakṣya","kālāvadhi","dhāraṇā","antar-ālambana"],"quick_summary":"Dhāraṇā is defined as the mind established within the body for a delimited time, not deviating from its intended object. The emphasis is on internal anchoring and temporal measure."}
Concept: Antar-ālambana dhāraṇā: sustained non-deviation of mind from a chosen internal lakṣya, bounded by time.
Application: Select an internal locus (hṛdaya, bhrūmadhya, nābhi) and a lakṣya (mantra sound, light, deity presence). Hold for a fixed count; if attention slips, restart the count to cultivate continuity.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Dharana–Samadhi Lakshana)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Meditator with subtle internal diagram: heart-lotus or brow center glowing; a time-wheel or beads indicating ‘kālāvadhi’; the mind shown as a steady flame inside the body silhouette.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated yogi with semi-transparent torso showing a lotus at heart/brow; glowing inner flame; ornate border; subdued temple interior; emphasis on inner light.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted inner lotus within the yogi’s chest; rich reds and greens; gold halo; beads/time motif around the figure.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: clean anatomical-lotus schematic overlay on meditating figure; labels for loci; gentle colors; clear didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, saint in meditation; faint luminous heart-lotus indicated with delicate wash; a small hourglass/time-disc near him; refined interior details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kālāvadhi = kāla+avadhi (tatpuruṣa); yallakṣyād = yat+lakṣyāt; sābhidhīyate = sā+abhidhīyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: time-measure hierarchy dhāraṇā–dhyāna–samādhi (374.4)
FAQs
It gives the technical definition of dhāraṇā: holding the mind steadily on a chosen object (lakṣya) for a specified duration without deviation—an applied method of yogic concentration.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies yoga terminology. This verse functions like a concise yogic manual entry, defining a core limb of meditative practice with operational criteria (time-bound steadiness and non-deviation).
Sustained non-wavering focus purifies mental fluctuations and stabilizes inner awareness, preparing the practitioner for deeper meditative absorption (dhyāna/samādhi) and thereby supporting liberation-oriented discipline.