Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Teaching of the One-Principle
Ekatattva) Initiation (एकतत्त्वदीक्षाकथनम्
कालाग्न्यादिशिवान्तानि तत्त्वानि परभावयेत् समतत्त्वे समग्राणि सूत्रे मणिगणानिव
kālāgnyādiśivāntāni tattvāni parabhāvayet samatattve samagrāṇi sūtre maṇigaṇāniva
Qu’on médite profondément les principes (tattva) commençant par Kālāgni et s’achevant en Śiva ; car tous, entiers et parfaits, sont tenus ensemble dans l’unique Réalité égale, tels des groupes de gemmes enfilées sur un fil.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana dialogue framework: Agni instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Meditative mapping of tattvas from Kālāgni up to Śiva, integrating multiplicity into a single equal reality (samatattva) as a contemplative method.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Tattva-Dhyāna: From Kālāgni to Śiva, Unified in Samatattva","lookup_keywords":["kālāgni tattva","śiva tattva","samatattva","tattva-dhyāna","maṇi-gaṇa sūtra dṛṣṭānta"],"quick_summary":"Contemplate the full hierarchy of principles from Kālāgni through Śiva, understanding them as coherently strung within one equal Reality—like gems held together by a single thread."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile: gems on a thread)
Concept: Many tattvas are not competing realities but coordinated expressions held in one underlying sameness (samatattva), apprehended through sustained contemplation.
Application: Use the ‘thread and gems’ visualization in meditation: review tattvas sequentially, then rest attention on the single ‘thread’ (equal Reality) that holds them, reducing fragmentation in practice.
Khanda Section: Yoga–Tattva-Dhyana (Śaiva–Tantric metaphysics and contemplative practice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A contemplative yogin visualizes a vertical or concentric hierarchy of tattvas from Kālāgni up to Śiva, then sees them unified as gems strung on one thread representing samatattva.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: meditating figure with an inner-vision tableau—stacked luminous spheres labeled from Kālāgni to Śiva, all connected by a single glowing thread; earthy palette with bright sacred highlights.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central meditating figure with gold aura; above, a jeweled garland motif where each gem symbolizes a tattva, culminating in a radiant Śiva-gem; heavy gold work to emphasize ‘maṇi’ imagery.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic yet elegant—thread with gem clusters labeled as tattvas, alongside a calm yogin; soft colors, fine lines, pedagogical clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined allegorical scene—sage in meditation, a delicate string of jewels floating as a metaphysical diagram, subtle calligraphic labels, detailed rendering of gems and thread."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कालाग्न्यादि = कालाग्नि + आदि; मणिगणानिव = मणिगणान् + इव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 89 (Ekatattva-dīkṣā and tattva contemplation context)
FAQs
It teaches tattva-bhāvanā: a structured contemplative practice of meditating on the chain of metaphysical principles—from Kālāgni up to Śiva—by seeing them as integrated within a single unifying Reality.
Alongside ritual, dharma, and practical sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves technical metaphysics and yogic method—here presenting a concise Śaiva-Tantric model of tattvas and a meditation technique to integrate them.
By contemplating all tattvas as threaded into one supreme principle culminating in Śiva, the practitioner reduces fragmentation of mind, supports inner purification, and advances toward non-dual insight and liberation-oriented devotion.