Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 18
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
यद्द्रव्या शिविका चेयं तद्द्रव्यो भूतसंग्रहः भवतो मे ऽखिलस्यास्य समत्वेनोपवृंहितः
yaddravyā śivikā ceyaṃ taddravyo bhūtasaṃgrahaḥ bhavato me 'khilasyāsya samatvenopavṛṃhitaḥ
इस पालकी में जो‑जो द्रव्य हैं, वही भूत‑समूह (जीव‑समष्टि) हैं। हे प्रभो, आपके प्रभाव से इस समस्त का समत्वपूर्वक पोषण और विस्तार हुआ है।
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s dharma sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Teaching impartial governance and universal empathy: see the ‘aggregate of beings’ as constituted of the same elements as one’s own supports; sustain all with samatā (equanimity).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Palanquin as Metaphor for Bhūta-saṅgraha (Aggregate of Beings)","lookup_keywords":["śivikā","dravya","bhūta-saṅgraha","samatā","upavṛṃhita"],"quick_summary":"The substances forming the palanquin are equated with the aggregate of beings, implying shared material basis and interdependence. The ruler’s power is praised when it sustains all impartially."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka
Concept: Samatā: impartial sustenance of all beings grounded in shared material constitution and mutual support.
Application: Policy ethic: protect all classes, avoid favoritism, and recognize that the ruler’s ‘vehicle’ (state) is built from the same constituents as the people.
Khanda Section: Dharma–Dāna (Charity, merit, and ritual gifts)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palanquin shown as a symbolic ‘world’: its wood, cloth, and poles subtly transform into figures of diverse beings; the king’s presence radiates impartial support to all.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palanquin morphing into a mandala of beings (humans, animals), king centered with calm gaze, sage indicating ‘samatā’, strong outlines and flat color fields","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-work on palanquin frame, beings arranged symmetrically around the king, lotus motifs signifying equal nourishment, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined metaphorical illustration: labeled components of palanquin correspond to groups of beings, king depicted as steady pillar of support, clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical court scene: palanquin components subtly contain miniature vignettes of villagers, animals, artisans; king observing with composed authority"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यद्द्रव्या = यत् + द्रव्या; चेयं = च + इयम्; तद्द्रव्यो = तत् + द्रव्यः; मेऽखिलस्यास्य = मे + अखिलस्य + अस्य; समत्वेनोपवृंहितः = समत्वेन + उपवृंहितः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: rājadharma teachings on sama-darśana (equal regard), dāna and protection of subjects
FAQs
It conveys a dāna-ritual symbolism: the gifted object (here, a śivikā/palanquin) is to be understood as materially continuous with the bhūta-saṃgraha (the totality of beings/elements), elevating the act of gifting into a cosmological offering.
Alongside practical dharma rules, it embeds metaphysical interpretation—linking ritual objects to elemental/cosmic theory (bhūtas). This blend of ritual procedure and cosmology is characteristic of the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope.
Seeing the gift as connected to all beings promotes impartiality (samatva) and universal beneficence, framing dāna as an act that supports the whole of creation and thus yields broad religious merit (puṇya).