Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 9
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
विष्णुभक्तः सदोत्साही ध्यातेत्थं पुरुषः स्मृतः मूर्तामूर्तं परम्ब्रह्म हरेर्ध्यानं हि चिन्तनम्
viṣṇubhaktaḥ sadotsāhī dhyātetthaṃ puruṣaḥ smṛtaḥ mūrtāmūrtaṃ parambrahma harerdhyānaṃ hi cintanam
Celui qui est dévot de Viṣṇu et toujours plein d’ardeur doit méditer ainsi ; un tel homme est rappelé comme un véritable pratiquant. Car le Brahman suprême est à la fois avec forme et sans forme ; en vérité, la méditation sur Hari est elle-même une réflexion contemplative.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Bhakti-yoga","practical_application":"Daily saguna–nirguna dhyana on Vishnu/Hari to stabilize mind and orient life toward Brahman-realization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Saguna–Nirguna Brahma as Hari-dhyana","lookup_keywords":["Vishnu-bhakti","saguna nirguna","Hari-dhyana","parama-brahma","chintana"],"quick_summary":"The supreme Brahman is both formed and formless; meditation on Hari is itself the contemplative method for realizing that non-duality while sustaining devotion."}
Concept: Brahman is simultaneously sakala (with attributes/form) and nishkala (attribute-less/formless); Hari-dhyana is a valid bridge between the two standpoints.
Application: Hold a chosen Vishnu form in mind while understanding it as a doorway to the formless absolute; keep enthusiasm (utsaha) and regularity.
Khanda Section: Bhakti-yoga & Dhyana (Vishnu-upasana / Saguna–Nirguna Brahma contemplation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Vishnu-bhakta seated in meditation, with a luminous Vishnu form dissolving into a formless radiance, indicating saguna–nirguna Brahman.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, seated yogi before a stylized Vishnu with conch and discus, halo expanding into abstract golden aura, flat colors, ornate borders, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Vishnu in rich ornaments with gold leaf halo, devotee in dhyana below, background transitioning to pure gold field symbolizing nirguna Brahman, jewel-like detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: devotee posture and gaze, Vishnu icon at center with subtle fade into light, delicate lines, muted palette, emphasis on meditative technique.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with a meditator, a visionary Vishnu apparition turning into a wash of light, fine textiles, detailed architecture, restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यातेत्थं = ध्यायेत् + इत्थम्; हरेर्ध्यानं = हरेः + ध्यानम्; परम्ब्रह्म = परम् + ब्रह्म; मूर्तामूर्तं = मूर्त + अमूर्तम् (समास/संयोग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372 (dhyana/bhakti context); Agni Purana 373 (Hari-tattva, japa, antaryaga sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a practical dhyāna-vidhi principle: sustained meditation (dhyāna) on Hari, grounded in constant zeal (sad-utsāha), recognizing the Supreme as both manifest (mūrta) and unmanifest (amūrta).
Alongside its many technical domains, the Agni Purana also systematizes inner disciplines—here summarizing a Vedāntic-bhakti synthesis (saguṇa–nirguṇa Brahman) as a concise meditation doctrine within its wide-ranging compendium.
It frames devotion-backed meditation as a direct purifying practice: contemplating Hari as the supreme reality aligns the mind with Brahman, strengthening steadiness, faith, and liberation-oriented merit (puṇya) through sustained remembrance.