Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 4
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
धारणा द्वादशायामा ध्यानं द्वदशधारणाः ध्यानं द्वादशकं यावत्समाधिरभिधीयते
dhāraṇā dvādaśāyāmā dhyānaṃ dvadaśadhāraṇāḥ dhyānaṃ dvādaśakaṃ yāvatsamādhirabhidhīyate
Doce āyāmas (medidas de tiempo) constituyen dhāraṇā; doce dhāraṇās constituyen dhyāna; y cuando el dhyāna alcanza un conjunto de doce, se denomina samādhi.
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"A graded training schedule: quantify practice—12 āyāmas = one dhāraṇā; 12 dhāraṇās = dhyāna; 12 dhyānas = samādhi—useful for structuring sessions and progression.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Time-Measure Ladder: Dhāraṇā → Dhyāna → Samādhi (12-fold Units)","lookup_keywords":["āyāma","dhāraṇā","dhyāna","samādhi","dvādaśa"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a numerical hierarchy of meditative absorption: dhāraṇā is measured in twelve āyāmas; twelve dhāraṇās make dhyāna; twelve dhyānas culminate in samādhi. It provides a practical metric for disciplined practice."}
Concept: Meditative states are presented as cumulative stability measured by standardized units, emphasizing gradual deepening from concentration to absorption.
Application: Design practice blocks: define one āyāma (per tradition/teacher); complete 12 āyāmas without break for one dhāraṇā; string 12 such dhāraṇās for dhyāna; aim for 12 dhyāna cycles as a benchmark toward samādhi.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Dharana–Samadhi Lakshana)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A three-tier diagram or ladder: bottom ‘12 āyāmas = dhāraṇā’, middle ‘12 dhāraṇās = dhyāna’, top ‘12 dhyānas = samādhi’; a meditator at the base progressing upward; time units shown as beads or clock-like segments.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with a stylized stepped mandala-ladder behind a meditating yogi; each step marked with ‘12’; ornate borders; warm earthy palette; symbolic lotus at the summit labeled samādhi.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold-embossed tiered pedestal of three levels; meditating figure; gold numerals ‘12’ repeated; radiant samādhi halo at top; rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional chart-painting: clear ladder/flowchart with Sanskrit labels āyāma, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, samādhi; neat lines, soft colors, classroom-like clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature showing a sage with a scroll illustrating a three-tier scheme; attendants observing; fine calligraphy panels with ‘12’ counts; delicate architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dvādaśāyāmā = dvādaśa+āyāmā (dvigu); dvadaśadhāraṇāḥ = dvādaśa+dhāraṇāḥ (dvigu; IAST dvadaśa-); yāvatsamādhiḥ = yāvat+samādhiḥ; samādhirabhidhīyate = samādhiḥ+abhidhīyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dhāraṇā/Dhyāna/Samādhi lakṣaṇa sequence (374.2–374.4)
FAQs
It gives a technical, graded measure for yogic practice: dhāraṇā is defined by a fixed time-span, dhyāna is a multiple of dhāraṇā, and samādhi is the culmination when dhyāna reaches twelvefold continuity.
Alongside rituals, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies yoga with precise definitions and quantification—showing its role as a compendium that standardizes spiritual techniques like dhāraṇā, dhyāna, and samādhi.
By prescribing measurable stages of inner discipline, it supports sustained mental purification and steadiness; such continuity of meditation is presented as the direct basis for samādhi, the absorptive state associated with liberation-oriented practice.