Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 72
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
शोधयेद्ध्यानयोगेन सर्वतो ज्ञानमुद्रया शुद्धेषु सर्वतत्त्वेषु प्रधाने चेश्वरे स्थिते
śodhayeddhyānayogena sarvato jñānamudrayā śuddheṣu sarvatattveṣu pradhāne ceśvare sthite
ധ്യാനയോഗത്താലും സർവ്വതോ ജ്ഞാനമുദ്രയാലും അന്തഃകരണത്തെ ശോധനം ചെയ്യണം. സർവ്വ തത്ത്വങ്ങളും ശുദ്ധമായാൽ साधകൻ പ്രധാനം (പ്രകൃതി) എന്നും ഈശ്വരൻ എന്നും ഉള്ള നിലയിൽ സ്ഥാപിതനാകുന്നു.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Dhyana with jnana-mudra as an inner purification method culminating in stable abidance in Pradhana and Ishvara (integrating tattva-shuddhi with theistic orientation).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhyana-yoga through Jnana-mudra for Tattva-shuddhi","lookup_keywords":["dhyana-yoga","jnana-mudra","tattva-shuddhi","pradhana","ishvara"],"quick_summary":"Use meditation-yoga supported by the ‘seal of knowledge’ to purify all tattvas; when purification is complete, the practitioner abides in Pradhana and in Ishvara."}
Concept: Tattva-shuddhi through dhyana culminating in stable realization/abidance in Pradhana and Ishvara (a Sankhya-Yoga theistic synthesis).
Application: Adopt a daily meditation discipline with a knowledge-oriented inner ‘mudra’ (steady cognition/awareness) to progressively refine perception, reduce vikshepa, and stabilize contemplation of the ground-principle and the Lord.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana, Jnana, Moksha-sadhana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in deep meditation, hands in a knowledge-gesture, subtle layers of tattvas depicted as purified luminous circles, culminating in a serene presence of Ishvara beyond Pradhana.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, seated yogi in padmasana with jnana-mudra, concentric tattva-mandalas turning from smoky to radiant, Ishvara as calm luminous presence above, rich earthy reds and greens, stylized lotus and flame motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central meditating yogi with jnana-mudra, gold-leaf halo and embossed mandala of tattvas, Pradhana as dark-gold cosmic field, Ishvara as radiant icon above, ornate borders and jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: yogi posture, hand mudra clearly shown, labeled concentric tattva rings, soft shading, delicate linework, minimal background with subtle aura indicating purification","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined ascetic seated on a carpet in a quiet grove, translucent mandala overlays indicating tattva purification, delicate clouds suggesting Pradhana, a subtle divine light for Ishvara, fine brushwork and pastel palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śodhayet + dhyānayogena → śodhayeddhyānayogena; ca + īśvare → ceśvare
Related Themes: Agni Purana Yoga-vidya sections on dhyana and jnana; Agni Purana moksha-dharma passages on vairagya and self-purification
FAQs
It teaches tattva-śuddhi (purification of the fundamental principles) through dhyāna-yoga, stabilized by jñāna-mudrā—an inner ‘seal’/gesture of insight used to maintain non-distracted contemplative awareness.
Alongside ritual and worldly sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves systematic mokṣa-śāstra: here it integrates Sāṅkhya categories (tattvas, pradhāna) with Yoga practice and devotion/theism (īśvara), showing its multi-disciplinary spiritual curriculum.
By purifying the tattvas via meditation and knowledge-stability, the practitioner becomes established in the primordial ground and in the Lord—indicating inner purification that supports liberation-oriented realization rather than mere external merit.