Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
हृत्पद्मपीठिकामध्ये ध्यानयोगेन पूजयेत् ध्यानयज्ञः परः शुद्धः सर्वदोषविवर्जितः
hṛtpadmapīṭhikāmadhye dhyānayogena pūjayet dhyānayajñaḥ paraḥ śuddhaḥ sarvadoṣavivarjitaḥ
હૃદય-પદ્મની પીઠિકાના મધ્યમાં ધ્યાનયોગથી પૂજન કરવું. ધ્યાન-યજ્ઞ પરમ, શુદ્ધ અને સર્વદોષવિહિન છે.
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Perform antaryaga (internal worship) by offering dhyana within the heart-lotus; treat meditation itself as a flawless yajna for daily purification and focus.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Hṛt-padma-pīṭhikā Pūjā and Dhyāna-Yajña","lookup_keywords":["hṛtpadma","pīṭhikā","antaryaga","dhyana-yajna","sarva-dosha-vivarjita"],"quick_summary":"Worship the Lord on the pedestal within the heart-lotus through meditation; this dhyāna-yajña is declared supreme, pure, and free from ritual defects."}
Concept: Meditation can function as yajna: an internal, purified sacrifice not dependent on external materials, thereby ‘free from defects’.
Application: Create a daily inner ritual: visualize a lotus in the heart, place the deity on its pedestal, offer breath, attention, and mantra as oblations, concluding with silent absorption.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Dhyana-yajna and Antaryaga / internal worship)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant heart-lotus with a pedestal at its center; the deity is worshiped by a meditating yogi, with subtle offerings depicted as streams of light (breath/mantra) entering the lotus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large stylized heart-lotus with central pedestal, deity enthroned, yogi in dhyana, luminous ‘oblation’ lines, strong contours, sacred symmetry and border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, heart-lotus rendered as ornate lotus throne with gold leaf, deity seated with heavy jewelry, devotee offering light-like oblations, rich reds and greens, embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional inner-yajna diagram: lotus, pedestal, deity placement, subtle breath-streams, gentle shading, clear composition for practice guidance.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meditating figure with a visionary heart-lotus hovering, fine floral detailing, delicate gold accents, quiet courtly interior transformed into mystical space."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हृत्पद्मपीठिकामध्ये = हृत् + पद्म + पीठिका + मध्ये (समास); सर्वदोषविवर्जितः = सर्व + दोष + विवर्जितः (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373.12 (deha-āyatana; inner installation); Agni Purana 373.9–11 (dhyana definition; continuous smarana)
FAQs
It teaches Antaryāga (internal worship): performing pūjā mentally in the heart-lotus using dhyāna-yoga, where meditation itself functions as a yajña (sacrificial act).
It integrates pūjā-vidhi (ritual procedure) with yogic practice by redefining yajña in an inward, meditative form—showing how the Agni Purana compiles not only external rites but also internalized spiritual technologies.
The verse states that dhyāna-yajña is “supreme and pure,” producing worship that is free from ritual defects—implying strong purificatory merit even when external performance limitations exist.