Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 26
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
ध्यायेज्जपेच्च सततमोङ्कारं परमक्षरं मनःस्थित्यर्थमिच्छान्ति स्थूलध्यानमनुक्रमात्
dhyāyejjapecca satatamoṅkāraṃ paramakṣaraṃ manaḥsthityarthamicchānti sthūladhyānamanukramāt
គួរធ្វើសមាធិ និងសូត្រជាបន្តបន្ទាប់នូវ «អោង្គារ» ដែលជាព្យញ្ជនៈអក្សរអមតៈខ្ពស់បំផុត។ ដើម្បីឲ្យចិត្តមានស្ថេរភាព គេដំណើរការតាមលំដាប់ ដោយចាប់ផ្តើមពីសមាធិលើរូបធំ (មានអាស្រ័យ)។
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Yoga","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily practice protocol: continuous japa and dhyāna of Oṃ to stabilize the mind, progressing from gross support-based meditation to subtler absorption.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Oṅkāra-japa with krama (from sthūla-dhyāna to steadiness of mind)","lookup_keywords":["Omkara japa","parama akṣara","manas-sthairya","sthūla dhyāna","krama"],"quick_summary":"Repeat and contemplate Oṃ constantly as the imperishable syllable; for mental steadiness, proceed gradually—starting with a gross, supported visualization and refining toward subtle meditation."}
Concept: Krama (graduated practice) in mantra-yoga: the mind is steadied by sustained japa and progressively subtler dhyāna.
Application: Set a fixed daily japa count/time; begin with a clear mental support (form/light/syllable), then reduce imagery as attention stabilizes.
Khanda Section: Yoga and Dhyāna (Praṇava–Upāsanā / Mantra-japa and Meditation Practice)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated in meditation, counting japa beads, with a subtle progression shown from a gross Oṃ-form visualization to a faint, formless inner stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogi with mālā, three-panel progression: bright Oṃ symbol, then softer glow, then serene empty radiance; earthy palette, temple-wall aesthetic.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, meditating figure with mālā, gold-highlighted Oṃ above, background transitioning from ornate to minimal to suggest refinement, devotional sheen.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional sequence layout, clear depiction of japa posture and breath rhythm cues through visual motifs, gentle colors, precise lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-yogi in a quiet chamber, rosary in hand, faint calligraphic Oṃ in the air, subtle gradation of light indicating stages."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यायेज्जपेच्च = ध्यायेत् जपेत् च; सततमोङ्कारं = सततम् ओङ्कारम्; परमक्षरं = परम-अक्षरम्; मनःस्थित्यर्थम् = मनः-स्थिति-अर्थम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373.24; Agni Purana 373.25; Agni Purana 373.27
FAQs
It teaches Praṇava–upāsanā: continuous japa and dhyāna of Oṃ as the paramākṣara, using a graded method—starting with sthūla (support-based) meditation to stabilize the mind.
Alongside ritual, law, and other sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves practical yoga methodology—mantra-japa, meditation sequencing (anukrama), and mind-training—showing its broad, multi-disciplinary scope.
Constant contemplation of Oṃ is presented as a direct means to steadiness and purification of the mind, supporting deeper meditation and inner realization by moving from gross supports toward subtler absorption.