Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 2
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
यद्वाह्यावस्थितं लक्षयं तस्मान्न चलते मनः तावत् कालं प्रदेशेषु धारणा मनसि स्थितिः
yadvāhyāvasthitaṃ lakṣayaṃ tasmānna calate manaḥ tāvat kālaṃ pradeśeṣu dhāraṇā manasi sthitiḥ
選ばれた所縁が外に定められ、心がそこから動かないなら、その間、指定された場に心が堅く住することをダーラナー（集中）という。
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in yogic discipline within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"A practical concentration drill: fix attention on an external target (locus/object) and train non-wandering for a set duration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dhāraṇā on an External Lakṣya (Bāhya-ālambana)","lookup_keywords":["bāhya-lakṣya","dhāraṇā-lakṣaṇa","ekāgratā","ālambana","manas-sthiti"],"quick_summary":"Dhāraṇā is defined as the mind’s steady abiding in a designated locus as long as it does not move away from the chosen external object. The definition emphasizes duration and non-deviation."}
Concept: Ekāgratā through bāhya-ālambana: concentration is measured by continuity of attention without drift.
Application: Pick a stable external object (lamp flame, yantra point, deity image). Set a timer; maintain gaze/attention; when the mind moves, gently return—count uninterrupted spans to track progress.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Dharana–Samadhi: meditative technique)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated facing a steady lamp flame or a yantra dot on a wall; the mind depicted as a tethered bird resting on the chosen point, not flying away; calm, minimal setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogi before a brass oil lamp; stylized flame as the lakṣya; decorative border; subdued palette with strong outlines; symbolic bird-mind resting near the flame.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central lamp with gold highlights; seated sādhaka with mālā; gold-embossed circular focus point; minimal background, temple-pillared frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: object (lamp/yantra) clearly drawn; arrows indicating ‘mind returns to focus’; soft colors, precise lines, calm interior.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-saint in a quiet chamber focusing on a candle; delicate carpet patterns; a small bird motif hovering near the flame to symbolize attention."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yadvāhyāvasthitaṃ = yat+vāhya-avasthitam; tasmānna = tasmāt+na; (lakṣayaṃ in IAST appears for lakṣyam); tāvat kālam (duration); definition: dhāraṇā = manasi sthitiḥ ...
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dhāraṇā definitions and time-measures (374.3–374.4)
FAQs
It gives a technical definition of dhāraṇā: holding the mind steadily on a selected external object (lakṣya) without wavering, for a measurable duration, often with a specified locus (pradeśa).
Beyond mythology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves systematic yoga terminology (dhāraṇā, loci of practice, time-based criteria), showing it functions as a compendium of practical disciplines alongside other sciences.
Steady concentration purifies mental fluctuation (citta-vikṣepa), supports deeper meditation, and is presented as a direct means to inner steadiness that prepares the practitioner for higher yogic absorption.