Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 33
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
ध्यानाच्छ्रान्तो जपेन्मन्त्रं जपाच्छ्रान्तश् च चिन्तयेत् जपध्यानादियुक्तस्य विष्णुः शीघ्रं प्रसीदति
dhyānācchrānto japenmantraṃ japācchrāntaś ca cintayet japadhyānādiyuktasya viṣṇuḥ śīghraṃ prasīdati
ಧ್ಯಾನದಿಂದ ದಣಿದರೆ ಮಂತ್ರಜಪ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು; ಜಪದಿಂದ ದಣಿದರೆ (ಅರ್ಥ ಮತ್ತು ದೇವತೆಯನ್ನು) ಚಿಂತಿಸಬೇಕು. ಜಪ-ಧ್ಯಾನಾದಿ ಸಾಧನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರತನು ಆಗಿರುವವನ ಮೇಲೆ ವಿಷ್ಣು ಶೀಘ್ರ ಪ್ರಸನ್ನನಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"A practical sādhana protocol: alternate japa and dhyāna to manage fatigue and maintain continuity of practice, aiming at quick prasāda of Viṣṇu.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Japa–Dhyāna Alternation to Overcome Fatigue (Viṣṇu-prasāda)","lookup_keywords":["japa","dhyāna","śrānti","sādhana-krama","viṣṇu prasāda"],"quick_summary":"When meditation tires the mind, shift to mantra-japa; when japa tires, return to contemplation of meaning and form. This alternation sustains practice and is said to please Viṣṇu quickly."}
Concept: Abhyāsa through skillful means (upāya): sustaining attention by alternating complementary practices; devotion matures through steady discipline.
Application: Set timed rounds (e.g., 10–15 minutes): dhyāna → japa → artha-cintana; repeat cycles, ending with a brief silent resting in the deity’s presence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yoga (Japa-Dhyana Sadhana)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated before a small Viṣṇu altar: alternating between silent visualization (eyes half-closed) and mantra-japa with a mālā; a calm aura suggests Viṣṇu’s quick grace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sādhaka with japa-mālā before Viṣṇu, alternating posture cues (hands in japa, then in dhyāna), warm lamp/firelight, stylized temple interior, serene devotional mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, devotee with mālā before Viṣṇu image, gold foil on deity and lamp, clear depiction of japa beads, rich ornamentation, devotional ambience emphasizing prasāda","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional triptych feel: panel-like depiction of dhyāna then japa then contemplation, clean lines, soft colors, clear mālā and seated posture details","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor scene with devotee and prayer beads, small Viṣṇu icon on pedestal, fine carpet patterns, subtle gestures showing alternation of practice, delicate illumination"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dhyānācchrāntaḥ = ध्यानात् + श्रान्तः (t + ś → cch); japenmantraṃ = जपेत् + मन्त्रम् (t + m → n m by sandhi/assimilation); japācchrāntaḥ = जपात् + श्रान्तः (t + ś → cch); śīghraṃ (adverbial accusative form used as avyaya).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373.29-32 (dhyāna-lakṣaṇa and contemplation formula)
FAQs
It teaches a practical sādhana method: alternate japa (mantra repetition) and dhyāna/cintana (meditative contemplation) to manage fatigue while keeping continuous devotional practice.
Alongside its many subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves actionable spiritual techniques—here, a concise practice protocol for sustaining worship through alternating disciplines (japa and dhyāna), reflecting its manual-like breadth.
Steady engagement in japa and meditation is presented as quickly generating divine grace: sustained, balanced practice leads to Viṣṇu’s prompt satisfaction and favor.