Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 17
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
यथा पुंसः पृथग्भावः प्राकृतैः करणैर् नृप सोढव्यः स महाभारः कतरो नृपते मया
yathā puṃsaḥ pṛthagbhāvaḥ prākṛtaiḥ karaṇair nṛpa soḍhavyaḥ sa mahābhāraḥ kataro nṛpate mayā
Oh rey, así como el sentido separativo de individualidad de un hombre es soportado por sus facultades naturales, del mismo modo ha de soportarse esa gran carga. Dime, oh señor de los reyes: ¿cuál (carga) debo soportar yo?
Uncertain (verse is framed as an address to a king: nṛpa/nṛpate; likely within Agni’s didactic narration but immediate speaker not securely identifiable from the single verse alone)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Cultivating endurance and humility in rulership: bearing the ‘great burden’ of embodied individuality and governance without egoic collapse.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Burden of Individuality and the King’s Burden","lookup_keywords":["pṛthagbhāva","prakṛta-karaṇa","mahābhāra","sahana","nṛpa"],"quick_summary":"The verse analogizes the human sense of separateness—carried through natural faculties—to the heavy burden that must be endured. It frames kingship as a discipline of endurance and self-inquiry."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Pṛthagbhāva (sense of separateness) is a carried burden mediated by the faculties; endurance and discernment loosen egoic weight.
Application: For leaders: practice restraint, reflection, and impartiality; treat office as duty (bhāra) rather than self-extension (ahaṃkāra).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti (Counsel on governance, endurance, and burdens of rule)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in contemplation beside a halted palanquin, while a sage explains that individuality itself is a burden borne by the faculties; the king gestures as if asking which burden he must bear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with serene face, sage pointing to the king’s heart and to the senses (stylized eyes/ears/hands), palanquin in background, calm earth tones and bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold halo-like emphasis around the sage, king with folded hands, symbolic depiction of indriyas as small motifs around the figure, ornate palace backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, delicate expressions, instructional tableau: sage illustrating ‘prakṛta-karaṇa’ with subtle icon symbols, king listening, minimal background for clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate court scene, king seated on carpet, sage speaking, attendants and palanquin outside pavilion, fine detailing of gestures and facial nuance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पृथग्भावः = पृथक् + भावः; करणैर् = करणैः + (रेफ-संधि before nṛpa); सोढव्यः is √sah + तव्यत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Nīti passages on kṣamā (forbearance), indriya-nigraha (sense-control), and rājadharma duties
FAQs
Not a ritual vidyā; it imparts a niti/rajadharma principle: burdens arising from one’s role and nature should be endured with steadiness, like the unavoidable operations of the natural faculties.
It reflects the Purana’s statecraft and ethical-psychological instruction alongside ritual and theology—showing that the Agni Purana also preserves practical counsel for rulers (rajadharma) and human conduct.
Enduring one’s rightful burden (dharma) without agitation reduces ego-driven reaction and supports karmic alignment—framing responsibility as a discipline of steadiness rather than avoidance.