Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Vidyā-viśodhana-vidhāna
Procedure for Purifying Mantra-Vidyā
विषयो रूपमेवैकमिन्द्रिये पादचक्षुषी शब्दः स्पर्शश् च रूपञ्च त्रय एते गुणाः स्मृताः
viṣayo rūpamevaikamindriye pādacakṣuṣī śabdaḥ sparśaś ca rūpañca traya ete guṇāḥ smṛtāḥ
La forme seule est l’objet des deux organes des sens—le pied et l’œil. Son, toucher et forme : ces trois-là sont rappelés comme les qualités (guṇa) saisies par les sens.
Lord Agni (teaching in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Indriya–viṣaya-viveka for meditation and self-observation: distinguishing sense-organs, their objects, and perceived guṇas to reduce confusion in pratyāhāra and dhyāna.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Indriya–Viṣaya–Guṇa: mapping of senses to objects/qualities","lookup_keywords":["indriya","viṣaya","guṇa","rūpa","śabda-sparśa"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a compact classificatory rule for how sense-organs relate to their objects and the guṇas apprehended (sound, touch, form). Useful as a checklist in yogic analysis of perception."}
Concept: Indriya–viṣaya–guṇa viveka (discrimination of sensory apparatus, objects, and perceived qualities).
Application: Use as a pratyāhāra aid: when a perception arises, label it as śabda/sparśa/rūpa and trace it to the relevant indriya, weakening identification with the experience.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Yoga / Indriya–Guna-Viveka (Sense-organs and their objects; enumerative metaphysics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic scene of a teacher pointing to a chart of sense-organs and their objects/qualities—sound, touch, and form—shown as subtle symbols entering the senses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, guru in saffron teaching indriya–viṣaya chart, stylized icons for śabda (conch sound waves), sparśa (hand/air), rūpa (lotus/eye), flat colors, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated rishi with palm-leaf manuscript, gold-leaf halo, symbolic emblems for sound-touch-form around him, rich reds and greens, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram aesthetic, clean lines, labeled senses and objects in Sanskrit, soft shading, traditional attire, calm classroom setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar in a courtly study presenting a folio with sensory taxonomy, delicate linework, muted palette, fine architectural interior"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rūpamevaikamindriye → rūpam eva ekam indriye; pādacakṣuṣī treated as dvandva (pāda + cakṣuṣī); sparśaś ca → sparśaḥ ca; rūpañ ca → rūpam ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 86 (Sāṅkhya–Yoga / indriya-guṇa-viveka section)
FAQs
It teaches indriya–viṣaya mapping: which sense-faculties connect to which perceptible qualities—useful for Sāṅkhya/Yoga-style analysis of perception and restraint (indriya-nigraha).
Beyond ritual and myth, the Agni Purana also preserves systematic philosophical classifications (senses, objects, qualities), showing its compendium-like coverage of metaphysics alongside practical disciplines.
By identifying sense-objects and their qualities, a practitioner can better regulate sensory engagement, supporting detachment and mental purity—foundational for karma-reduction and meditative clarity.