Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 378: Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
उत्पत्तिं प्रलयश् चैव भूतानामगतिं गतिं वेत्ति विद्यामविद्याञ्च स वाच्यो भगवानिति
utpattiṃ pralayaś caiva bhūtānāmagatiṃ gatiṃ vetti vidyāmavidyāñca sa vācyo bhagavāniti
જે ભૂતોની ઉત્પત્તિ અને પ્રલય, તેમની અગતિ અને ગતિ (અસહાય સ્થિતિ અને સત્ય માર્ગ), તથા વિદ્યા અને અવિદ્યા—બન્ને જાણે છે, તે જ ‘ભગવાન્’ કહેવાય છે।
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Use as a theological-epistemic definition to discern the Lord’s omniscience and to ground devotion and inquiry (jnana-viveka) in a clear criterion for ‘Bhagavan’.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Bhagavān—knower of origination, dissolution, gati/agati, vidyā/avidyā","lookup_keywords":["Bhagavan definition","utpatti pralaya","gati agati","vidya avidya"],"quick_summary":"‘Bhagavān’ is defined by comprehensive knowledge: creation and dissolution of beings, their true course and helpless non-course, and the full scope of knowledge and ignorance. This functions as a diagnostic definition for recognizing divine omniscience."}
Concept: Bhagavān is characterized by total knowledge of cosmogenesis/cosmolysis and the epistemic pair vidyā–avidyā; divine designation rests on omniscience rather than mere power.
Application: Apply as a viveka-tool: distinguish the Supreme from limited deities/selves by the criterion of all-knowing awareness of causes, ends, and the bondage/liberation trajectories of beings.
Khanda Section: Bhagavad-lakshana (Definitions of the Supreme Lord; Puranic theology / jnana-viveka)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cosmic teacher-form of the Lord revealing the cycle of creation and dissolution, with beings moving along paths of gati and agati, and the twin scrolls of vidyā and avidyā displayed as contrasting lights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Bhagavan as luminous cosmic guru seated on lotus, concentric mandalas showing utpatti and pralaya, beings in samsaric loop vs liberated ascent, rich reds/ochres/greens, bold outlines, sacred aura","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Bhagavan with ornate crown and prabhavali, gold-leaf halos, miniature panels around showing creation and dissolution, symbolic paths labeled gati/agati, heavy jewelry and embossed gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, instructional diagram-like vignettes: left panel utpatti, right panel pralaya, lower band gati/agati pathways, Bhagavan pointing to vidya/avidya tablets, soft shading and muted palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly cosmic assembly: Bhagavan as sage-king explaining cosmology to attentive rishis, detailed landscape with circular time-wheel, delicate brushwork, calligraphic labels for utpatti/pralaya/vidya/avidya"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रलयश् चैव = प्रलयः + च + एव; भूतानामगतिं = भूतानाम् + अगतिम्; विद्यामविद्याञ्च = विद्याम् + अविद्याम् + च; भगवानिति = भगवान् + इति
Related Themes: Agni Purana 378 (Bhagavad-lakshana/Bhagavata-tattva sequence); Agni Purana sections on moksha-dharma and jnana-yoga (later in 378)
FAQs
It defines ‘Bhagavān’ technically as the one who comprehensively knows creation and dissolution and who discerns both vidyā (liberating knowledge) and avidyā (bondage-causing ignorance)—a doctrinal criterion rather than a ritual procedure.
By giving a compact theological definition that ties cosmology (utpatti–pralaya) to epistemology (vidyā–avidyā) and the fate/course of beings (gati/agati), it showcases the Purana’s breadth beyond rituals—covering metaphysics and soteriology.
It directs devotion and inquiry toward the truly omniscient Lord—one who knows both bondage and liberation—encouraging discernment (viveka) that supports right understanding and progress toward mokṣa.