Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 36
Adhyāya 375 — समाधिः
Samādhi
श्रद्धोपवासः सत्यत्वमात्मनो ज्ञानहेतवः स त्वाश्रमैर् निदिध्यास्यः समस्तैर् एवमेव तु
śraddhopavāsaḥ satyatvamātmano jñānahetavaḥ sa tvāśramair nididhyāsyaḥ samastair evameva tu
શ્રદ્ધા, ઉપવાસ (વ્રત-આચરણ) અને આત્મનિષ્ઠ સત્યતા—આ જ્ઞાનના હેતુઓ છે. તેથી સર્વ આશ્રમો દ્વારા એ જ રીતે તે તત્ત્વ/આત્માનું સતત નિદિધ્યાસન કરવું જોઈએ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Gives a practical triad for jnana-growth—shraddha, upavasa, satya—then integrates it with the āśrama system: any life-stage can cultivate knowledge through disciplined observance and steady nididhyāsana.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Causes of Knowledge: Śraddhā, Upavāsa, Satyatva; Nididhyāsana through All Āśramas","lookup_keywords":["shraddha","upavasa","satya","jnana-hetu","nididhyasana"],"quick_summary":"Faith, religious fasting, and truthfulness are stated as causes of spiritual knowledge; the Self/Truth should be steadily contemplated through the disciplines of all four āśramas."}
Concept: Jnana arises from inner qualifications: śraddhā (trust in śāstra/guru), upavāsa (discipline of appetite), and satya (truth-alignment); nididhyāsana is to be pursued across āśramas, not restricted to one stage.
Application: Create a life-stage-appropriate routine: (1) daily śraddhā via study/satsanga, (2) periodic upavāsa or regulated diet, (3) satya in speech and self-honesty, (4) fixed contemplation time (nididhyāsana).
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Jnana-yoga (Spiritual Discipline and Knowledge)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic scene showing four āśramas in one composition—student, householder, forest-dweller, renunciate—each practicing śraddhā (listening), upavāsa (simple meal/fast), satya (truthful speech), and nididhyāsana (meditation) toward a central symbol of the Self (jyoti/linga-like light).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, four life-stages arranged in quadrants around a central flame of Atman-knowledge, each figure in traditional attire, minimalistic fasting bowl, scripture listening posture, serene meditation, rich earthy palette and ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central radiant jyoti with gold foil, four āśrama figures in panels, embossed gold highlights on halos and ornaments, symbolic fasting plate left empty, scripture scrolls, symmetrical devotional-instructional layout","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional diagram-like painting: four āśramas labeled, small icons for śraddhā/upavāsa/satya/nididhyāsana, soft colors and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet ascetic setting with four vignettes in one page, central luminous symbol, fine detailing of garments and objects, restrained palette with delicate shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śraddhopavāsaḥ → śraddhā-upavāsaḥ; satyatvamātmano → satyatvam + ātmanaḥ; tvāśramair → tu + āśramaiḥ; samastair → samastaiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana moksha-dharma teachings on śraddhā and jnana; Agni Purana vrata/upavāsa descriptions in ritual sections
FAQs
It teaches jñāna-sādhana: cultivating śraddhā (faith), upavāsa (disciplined observance/fasting), and satyatva (truthfulness) as direct supports for nididhyāsana—deep contemplative practice on the Self.
Alongside ritual and practical sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also systematizes inner disciplines—ethics (truthfulness), vrata-like observances (fasting), and Vedāntic practice (nididhyāsana)—showing it functions as a comprehensive manual of both outer and inner dharma.
Truthfulness and disciplined observance purify mind and conduct, making contemplation effective; sustained nididhyāsana across any life-stage is presented as a direct means toward liberating knowledge of the Self.