Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 45
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
आग्नेयं ब्रह्मरूपं हि मुनयः शौनकादयः भवन्तो नैमिषारण्ये यजन्तो हरिमीश्वरं
āgneyaṃ brahmarūpaṃ hi munayaḥ śaunakādayaḥ bhavanto naimiṣāraṇye yajanto harimīśvaraṃ
ಓ ಮುನಿಗಳೇ—ಶೌನಕಾದಿಗಳೇ—ನೀವು ನೈಮಿಷಾರಣ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಜ್ಞವನ್ನು ನೆರವೇರಿಸುತ್ತಾ, ಅಗ್ನಿತತ್ತ್ವಸಂಬಂಧಿಯಾದ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಸ್ವರೂಪನಾದ ಈಶ್ವರ ಹರಿಯನ್ನು ಆರಾಧಿಸುತ್ತೀರಿ।
Suta (narrative voice addressing the sages headed by Shaunaka) [contextual frame typical of Purāṇic discourse]
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Tirtha-based yajña and Hari-upāsanā framed within the Naimiṣāraṇya dialogue; establishes the devotional-ritual setting for receiving Purāṇic instruction.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Naimiṣāraṇya-yajña and Agneya Brahma-rūpa Hari","lookup_keywords":["Naimisharanya","Shaunaka","yajna","Hari","Agneya"],"quick_summary":"Places the teaching in the Naimiṣāraṇya sacrificial session of Śaunaka’s sages, identifying Hari as Agneya (fiery, Agni-linked) and Brahman-formed—uniting ritual devotion with nondual theism."}
Alamkara Type: Visheshokti (emphatic identification)
Concept: Hari as Brahman (brahma-rūpa) approached through yajña and devotion; Agni principle as a bridge between ritual fire and supreme reality.
Application: Integrate karma (yajña) with jñāna-bhakti by contemplating the deity as both immanent fire and transcendent Brahman during worship.
Khanda Section: Puranic Narration & Tirtha-Kshetra Context (Naimisharanya, Suta–Shaunaka Dialogue Frame)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forest hermitage in Naimiṣāraṇya with sages led by Śaunaka seated around a blazing yajña-kuṇḍa, offering oblations while contemplating Hari as fiery Brahman.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep earthy reds and greens, Śaunaka and rishis around a bright homa fire, stylized forest flora, Hari implied as radiant tejas above the altar, traditional ornamentation, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed tejas rising from yajña fire, sages with sacred threads and kamandalu, ornate arch frame, rich jewel tones, embossed gold detailing emphasizing Agni radiance as Brahman","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional clarity: yajña-kuṇḍa, ladles, samidh, seated rishis, subtle glow forming a Vishnu-like aura, soft palette and gesso highlights","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed forest satra scene, patterned textiles, realistic fire and smoke, sages in conversation, luminous abstract presence above the altar, fine brushwork and architectural pavilion hints."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हरिमीश्वरं = हरिम् + ईश्वरम् (m + ī → mī).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Purāṇa-paricaya/mahatmya passages praising Agneya Purāṇa (near 382.46–49); Agni Purana: Naimiṣāraṇya dialogue frame sections (Sūta–Śaunaka)
FAQs
It situates the ritual act (yajña/yajana) in Naimiṣāraṇya as worship of Hari (Viṣṇu) identified with the Agneya principle and Brahman—an instruction in theological alignment of sacrifice: the rite is directed to the supreme Lord as the inner essence of fire and the Absolute.
By blending ritual setting (yajña at a famed sacred grove), lineage of transmitters (Śaunaka and sages), and metaphysical identification (Hari as Brahman and as Agneya), it exemplifies how the Agni Purana integrates liturgy, tirtha-context, and Vedāntic theology within its broad compendium.
It frames sacrificial worship as devotion to the supreme Īśvara, implying purification and merit (puṇya) through correctly recognizing the deity of the rite—Hari as the Brahman-natured Lord who pervades even the sacrificial fire (Agneya).