Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 45
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं स्वाध्यायसज्जपः मानसं चित्तसंशुद्धेर्सौनमात्सविनिग्रहः
anudvegakaraṃ vākyaṃ satyaṃ svādhyāyasajjapaḥ mānasaṃ cittasaṃśuddhersaunamātsavinigrahaḥ
Une parole qui ne trouble pas, la véracité et la récitation assidue du svādhyāya; et, pour la purification du mental, la discipline intérieure, avec la retenue quant aux bains pris pour le plaisir et aux réjouissances excessives.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Ethical speech, truthfulness, daily svadhyaya-japa, and regulated sense-pleasures as a practical program for mental purification and social harmony.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mano-śuddhi Sādhana: Anudvega-vākya, Satya, Svādhyāya-japa, Saṃyama","lookup_keywords":["anudvegakara vakya","satya","svadhyaya japa","citta shuddhi","saunyam utsava-vinigraha"],"quick_summary":"Cultivate non-agitating truthful speech and steady self-study/recitation; purify the mind through inner restraint and moderation of pleasure-seeking habits."}
Concept: Citta-śuddhi through yama-like restraints (speech, truth, study, moderation).
Application: Adopt daily vows: speak without provoking, keep truth, fixed japa/svadhyaya, and limit pleasure-driven routines to stabilize mind.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Niti (Ethics of conduct and self-discipline)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharmya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined householder or student seated calmly with palm-leaf manuscript, reciting softly; nearby symbols of restraint—simple water pot, minimal ornaments—suggesting moderation and mental purity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, serene ascetic-householder figure seated in padmāsana, palm-leaf manuscript and japamālā, soft earth pigments, calm face, minimal background with stylized lotus motifs, emphasis on śānta mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated figure with manuscript and rosary, rich gold leaf halo, ornate but restrained border, symbolic items (kamandalu, tulasi), conveying ethical discipline and purity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional tableau: teacher pointing to manuscript, student practicing gentle speech gesture (raised open palm), fine linework, muted palette, captions implied for satya and svādhyāya.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate study chamber: scholar reciting from manuscript, attendants quiet, subtle architectural interior, delicate detailing, emphasis on composed expression and controlled lifestyle."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चित्तसंशुद्धेर्सौनमात्सविनिग्रहः → चित्त-सं-शुद्धेः + सौमनस्य-विनिग्रहः (र् + स → र्स). स्वाध्यायसज्जपः → स्वाध्याय-सत्-जपः (सत् + जपः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rajadharma/Niti sections on sadācāra and indriya-nigraha; Agni Purana: Mokṣa-dharma passages on citta-śuddhi and karma-yoga
FAQs
It teaches a practical Nīti-discipline for citta-śuddhi: speak without disturbing others, remain truthful, maintain svādhyāya with japa, and restrain indulgent habits (comfort-bathing and festival-excess) to steady the mind.
Alongside rituals, iconography, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves applied ethics and governance-adjacent conduct (Nīti/Rājadharma). This verse exemplifies its coverage of inner discipline as a foundational ‘technology’ for dharma and effective living.
Non-injurious truthful speech, sustained svādhyāya-japa, and restraint from sense-indulgence are presented as direct means to purify the mind (citta-śuddhi), thereby strengthening merit (puṇya) and fitness for higher dharma and spiritual practice.