Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 27
Chapter 371 — Yama-Niyama and Praṇava-Upāsanā (Oṅkāra) as Brahma-vidyā
प्रणवो धनुः शरो ह्य् आत्मा ब्रह्म तल्लक्ष्यमुच्यते अप्रमत्तेन वेद्धव्यं शरवत्तन्मयो भवेत्
praṇavo dhanuḥ śaro hy ātmā brahma tallakṣyamucyate apramattena veddhavyaṃ śaravattanmayo bhavet
Le Praṇava (Oṁ) est l’arc ; le Soi (Ātman) est la flèche ; Brahman est dit être la cible. Avec une attention sans défaillance, il faut percer cette cible ; alors, tel la flèche, on devient de la nature de Cela (Brahman).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Pranava-upāsanā using the bow-arrow metaphor: fix attention (apramāda), launch the ‘self’ through Oṁ toward Brahman, sustaining one-pointedness until identity with Brahman is assimilated.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Praṇava as Bow: Brahman-Target Meditation","lookup_keywords":["praṇava","dhanus-śara-dṛṣṭānta","apramāda","brahma-lakṣya","tanmaya"],"quick_summary":"Treat Oṁ as the bow, the self as the arrow, and Brahman as the target; with unwavering attentiveness, ‘pierce’ the target and become Brahman-like through sustained absorption."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka/Upamā (extended metaphor)
Weapon Type: Bow and arrow
Concept: Praṇava-upāsanā culminating in tanmayatā: the meditator becomes of the nature of Brahman through unwavering attention (apramāda) and one-pointed penetration of the ‘target’.
Application: Use Oṁ-japa with a single chosen locus (heart/ājnā) and maintain ‘archer-like’ vigilance; measure progress by reduced distraction and increased continuity of Brahman-thought.
Khanda Section: Upanishadic Yoga / Brahmavidya (Pranava-vidya, Dhyana-yoga)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin-archer allegory: Oṁ depicted as a bow of sound, the self as an arrow of light, and Brahman as a radiant target; the arrow merges into the target symbolizing tanmayatā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized yogin holding a symbolic bow inscribed ‘Oṁ’, luminous arrow emerging from heart, circular Brahman-target as golden mandala, bold outlines, sacred intensity with calm face.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate bow with ‘Oṁ’ motif in gold relief, arrow as jeweled beam, Brahman-target as gilded chakra/mandala, rich reds, heavy gold work, devotional-cum-philosophical iconography.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: bow labeled praṇava, arrow labeled ātman, target labeled brahman; refined lines, soft colors, emphasis on clarity and instruction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical archer-sage in a garden pavilion, a luminous target-disc in the air, delicate detailing, subtle glow effects, contemplative atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: hy ātmā = hi + ātmā; tallakṣyamucyate = tat + lakṣyam + ucyate; śaravattanmayo = śaravat + tatmayaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 371 (pranava-yoga sequence); Adjacent pranava statements 371.28–29
FAQs
It teaches Praṇava-vidyā: using Oṁ as the meditative instrument (bow) to direct the mind-Self (arrow) toward realization of Brahman (target) through vigilant, undistracted concentration.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves Brahmavidyā and yogic upāsanā. This verse exemplifies its inclusion of Upanishadic-style meditation methodology within a Purāṇic compendium.
It presents liberation-oriented practice: by unwavering focus on Oṁ culminating in Brahman-realization, the practitioner attains absorption in the Absolute (tat-mayatā), which is classically associated with the cessation of bondage and karmic limitation.