Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 19
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
ध्येयमेतदशुद्धञ्च त्यक्त्वा शुद्धं विचिन्तयेत् ऐश्वर्यं पङ्कजं दिव्यं पुरुशोपरि संस्थितं
dhyeyametadaśuddhañca tyaktvā śuddhaṃ vicintayet aiśvaryaṃ paṅkajaṃ divyaṃ puruśopari saṃsthitaṃ
Ayant écarté cet objet de méditation impur, qu’on contemple le pur : le lotus divin de la souveraineté (aiśvarya), établi au-dessus de l’Homme cosmique (Puruṣa).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Guides inner purification in dhyana by rejecting impure mental images and fixing the mind on a pure, sovereignty-bearing lotus above the Puruṣa as the ritual seat (āsana) in manasa-puja.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śuddha-padma-dhyāna above Puruṣa (Aiśvarya-lotus)","lookup_keywords":["śuddha-dhyāna","aiśvarya-padma","puruṣa-upari","manasa-puja","dhyeya-śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"Abandon impure objects of meditation and visualize a pure divine lotus of lordship placed above the Cosmic Person; this becomes the stable inner altar for worship and concentration."}
Concept: Dhyeya-śuddhi: purification of the meditation-object as a prerequisite for stable realization; transcendence of ‘aśuddha’ vṛttis.
Application: In practice, replace distracting/impure imagery with a single sattvic symbol (padma) and hold it steadily as the inner seat of the divine.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Dhyana & Manasa-puja / Iconic Meditation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic Puruṣa figure with a radiant white lotus of sovereignty hovering above his crown-region, indicating the purified meditation-seat; minimal outer ritual, emphasis on inner vision.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet luminous colors, cosmic Puruṣa seated, above him a glowing white lotus (aiśvarya-padma) with subtle golden aura, serene shanta mood, ornamental borders, traditional mural shading.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central cosmic Puruṣa with embossed gold halo, above the head a raised gold-work lotus throne, white petals with gem-like highlights, rich red-green background, devotional yet meditative composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, soft pastel palette, Puruṣa in calm posture, above crown a pristine lotus symbol labeled aiśvarya, instructional diagram feel with gentle ornamentation.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing, cosmic figure seated on plain ground, above him a floating white lotus with subtle radiance, restrained palette, emphasis on precision and symbolic hierarchy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्येयम् एतत् अशुद्धम् च → ध्येयमेतदशुद्धञ्च; पुरुष उपरि → पुरुषोपरि (विसर्ग/उकार-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373 (Puja-vidhi: dhyāna/manasa-puja context); Agni Purana 373.20-23 (padma-lakṣaṇa and inner visualization sequence)
FAQs
It gives a practical dhyāna-rule used in pūjā and upāsanā: reject an ‘impure’ meditation-object and replace it with a ‘pure’ visualization—specifically, a divine lotus (paṅkaja) representing aiśvarya, positioned above the Puruṣa.
Alongside law, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies ritual-technology—step-by-step mental worship and iconographic visualization. This verse exemplifies that technical, practice-oriented guidance within the Purana’s broad knowledge system.
It emphasizes inner purification in worship: elevating the mind from impure supports to a pure divine form is presented as a means to refine intention (bhāva) and stabilize contemplation, which is traditionally linked with greater spiritual merit and clarity.