Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 61
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
न्यस्ताहङ्कारवीजायां शुद्धायां वीक्षणादिभिः धर्माधर्मशरीरायां जप्तायां मानुषात्मना
nyastāhaṅkāravījāyāṃ śuddhāyāṃ vīkṣaṇādibhiḥ dharmādharmaśarīrāyāṃ japtāyāṃ mānuṣātmanā
Lorsque la semence de l’ego (ahaṅkāra) a été apaisée et que le champ intérieur a été purifié par des pratiques commençant par l’observation disciplinée et autres, alors—quand le soi humain accomplit le japa sur ce corps constitué de mérite et de démérite (dharma et adharma)—la purification intérieure visée s’accomplit.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s instructional narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guidance for mantra-japa as an inner discipline: ego-seed pacification, purification through observances, and understanding karmic embodiment (dharma/adharma) as the field of practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Japa on the Dharma–Adharma Body after Ahaṅkāra-bīja Pacification","lookup_keywords":["ahaṅkāra bīja","antahkaraṇa śuddhi","japa","dharma adharma śarīra","vīkṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Effective japa presupposes inner purification and the settling of ego; the practitioner works upon the karmic body constituted by merit and demerit to achieve antahkaraṇa-śuddhi."}
Concept: Ahaṅkāra (ego) is a seed that must be quieted; japa becomes transformative when performed on a purified inner field, recognizing the self’s karmic embodiment as dharma/adharma.
Application: Begin japa with self-observation and restraint; treat repetition as a tool to decondition egoic reactions and refine karmic tendencies.
Khanda Section: Yoga and Moksha-vidya (Mantra-japa, Antahkarana-shuddhi, Karma-theory)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator seated in japa, with a subtle depiction of the ‘ego-seed’ dissolving and a translucent body labeled dharma/adharma being purified by the light of mantra and disciplined observation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, serene yogin with japa-mālā, inner lotus/heart space glowing, symbolic seed of ego fading, stylized inscriptions of dharma/adharma around an aura, subdued sacred palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated practitioner with gold halo, mantra-light washing over a faint karmic silhouette, ornate but calm, emphasis on inner offering and purity, gold detailing on mala and aura","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional spiritual diagram: layers of self (ahaṅkāra seed, dharma/adharma body), arrows showing purification via vīkṣaṇa and japa, clean lines and gentle colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, contemplative ascetic in quiet chamber, delicate rendering of mala and posture, subtle symbolic cloud forms representing ego and karma dispersing, refined border and muted tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: न्यस्ताहङ्कारवीजायां = न्यस्त-अहङ्कार-बीजायाम्; वीक्षणादिभिः = वीक्षण-आदिभिः; धर्माधर्मशरीरायां = धर्म-अधर्म-शरीरायाम्; मानुषात्मना = मानुष-आत्मना
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (yoga/mokṣa-vidyā: japa, śuddhi, karma-theory)
FAQs
It teaches a japa-vidhi principle: mantra repetition becomes effective when ego-root (ahaṅkāra-bīja) is subdued and the mind is purified through preparatory disciplines such as attentive observation (vīkṣaṇa-ādi).
Alongside ritual and dharma topics, it preserves practical yogic psychology—linking mantra practice, mental purification, and karma (dharma/adharma)—showing the Purana’s coverage of inner disciplines as well as external rites.
By reducing ego and purifying awareness, japa is presented as a means to transform the karmic embodiment shaped by merit and demerit, orienting the practitioner toward liberation-oriented purification rather than mere mechanical recitation.