Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 6
Chapter 381 — यमगीता
Yama-gītā
आध्यात्मिकादिदुःखानामाद्यन्तादिप्रतिक्रिया श्रेयः परं मन्ष्याणां जनकोद्गीतमेव च
ādhyātmikādiduḥkhānāmādyantādipratikriyā śreyaḥ paraṃ manṣyāṇāṃ janakodgītameva ca
Pour les souffrances, à commencer par celles d’ordre intérieur (ādhyātmika), le remède qui considère leur commencement, leur fin et les conditions connexes est le śreyas, le bien suprême pour les humains ; c’est bien ce qu’a chanté (enseigné) le roi Janaka.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Diagnose suffering by its source (inner/outer/divine) and apply appropriate countermeasures from root to cessation—ethical correction, mental discipline, and wisdom-based detachment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Janaka’s countermeasure to the threefold sufferings (ādhyātmika etc.)","lookup_keywords":["adhyatmika-duhkha","tritapa","pratikriya","Janaka","moksha-upaya"],"quick_summary":"Sufferings beginning with the inner kind require a systematic countermeasure addressing origin, cessation, and conditions. Practically, it frames a diagnostic-and-remedial approach: understand causes, apply targeted practice, and aim for ending suffering through wisdom."}
Alamkara Type: Arthantaranyasa (reasoned assertion)
Concept: A structured response to suffering: analyze its beginning (cause), end (cessation), and enabling conditions; apply pratikriya that culminates in śreyas—freedom through discernment.
Application: Use a ‘root-cause’ method: identify triggers (inner habits, external factors, fate-like events), choose matching remedies (ethical reform, yogic practice, devotion), and cultivate viveka to end recurring distress.
Khanda Section: Adhyatma & Moksha-shastra (Teachings on suffering, liberation, and wisdom)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"King Janaka teaches a seeker: a diagram-like depiction of three sources of suffering—inner mind/body, external beings/events, and divine/natural forces—along with corresponding remedies leading to calm liberation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Janaka as crowned sage-king with serene face, teaching gesture; three symbolic zones: inner (heart/mind flames), outer (wild animals, enemies, disease-like shadows), divine (storm, lightning); a central path ending in lotus of peace","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Janaka with gold halo and royal ornaments, seated like a guru; three suffering emblems in gold-framed medallions, and a final medallion of shanta-lotus; rich reds, heavy gold work, devotional wisdom mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart aesthetic: Janaka pointing to labeled triad (adhyatmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika) and ‘pratikriya’ steps (cause, condition, cessation), clean lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace-garden discourse with Janaka and ascetics; background vignettes show storm, conflict, and inner anguish; foreground shows calm counsel, fine detailing and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आध्यात्मिकादिदुःखानामाद्यन्तादिप्रतिक्रिया → आध्यात्मिक-आदि-दुःखानाम् आदि-अन्त-आदि-प्रतिक्रिया; जनकोद्गीतमेव → जनक-उद्गीतम् एव.
Related Themes: Adhyatma & Moksha-shastra portions on duhkha and viveka; Sankhya-Yoga discussions of duhkha and liberation
FAQs
It teaches an adhyātma-vidyā principle: the true remedy (pratikriyā) for the threefold sufferings—especially the inner/psychological-spiritual pain—is pursuit of śreyas (the highest good), as exemplified in Janaka’s instruction.
Beyond ritual and worldly sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves mokṣa-oriented philosophy: it integrates ethical-spiritual psychology (analysis of duḥkha and its remedy) and authoritative exemplars like King Janaka, showing the text’s breadth from practical disciplines to liberation teachings.
Choosing śreyas over merely immediate pleasures is presented as the decisive corrective that uproots suffering at its source, orienting one toward purification of mind and liberation rather than cyclical distress.