Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 5
Granthaprasthāvanā (Preface): Sāra of Knowledge, Twofold Brahman, and the Purpose of Avatāras
द्वे ब्रह्मणी वेदितव्ये शब्दब्रह्म परं च यत् द्वे विद्ये वेदितव्ये हि इति चाथर्वणी श्रुतिः
dve brahmaṇī veditavye śabdabrahma paraṃ ca yat dve vidye veditavye hi iti cātharvaṇī śrutiḥ
അറിയേണ്ട ബ്രഹ്മം രണ്ടാണ്—ശബ്ദബ്രഹ്മവും പരബ്രഹ്മവും. അതുപോലെ അറിയേണ്ട വിദ്യകളും രണ്ടാണ്—എന്ന് അഥർവണീ ശ്രുതി പ്രസ്താവിക്കുന്നു.
Lord Agni (as narrator of Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guides curriculum: distinguish śabda-brahman (Veda/mantra/ritual sound) from para-brahman (supreme reality) and pursue the appropriate discipline—study/recitation for the former, contemplation/realization for the latter.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dve Brahmaṇī: Śabda-brahman and Para-brahman; Dve Vidye","lookup_keywords":["śabda-brahman","para-brahman","dve vidye","Atharva-śruti","apara para vidyā"],"quick_summary":"The verse defines two ‘Brahmans’—Vedic sound and the supreme reality—and correlates them with two knowledges; it maps a progression from scriptural mastery to direct realization."}
Alamkara Type: Dvandva-vibhāga (binary classification)
Concept: Apara (śabda/śāstra) and para (realization of the supreme) are distinct yet complementary; śabda-brahman is a means, para-brahman is the end.
Application: Balance practice: (1) disciplined Veda/mantra study and correct recitation, (2) meditation and inquiry into the self/Brahman; avoid mistaking textual mastery alone for liberation.
Khanda Section: Jnana-vidya (Veda-vidya and Brahma-jnana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic scene showing two paths: on one side Vedic recitation/mantra manuscripts (śabda-brahman), on the other a meditating sage in absorption (para-brahman), with Sūta indicating both as ‘two knowables’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-panel: left—brahmins chanting with palm-leaf Veda, right—sage in dhyāna with subtle aura, central inscription motif ‘śabda’ and ‘para’, warm earthy palette and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: symmetrical composition with gold foil—left a Vedic altar and chanting, right a seated yogin with radiant halo, central teacher figure pointing to both, embossed gold on manuscripts and halos.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional diagram-like painting, labeled elements (śabda-brahman/para-brahman), fine linework, subdued colors, emphasis on pedagogy and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: two-register composition—upper register scholars reciting from manuscripts, lower register ascetic meditating by a riverbank, delicate calligraphy noting ‘dve vidye’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाथर्वणी = च + आथर्वणी. ‘ब्रह्मणी’ द्विवचन-प्रयोगः वैदिक/शास्त्रीय-परम्परायां ‘two Brahmans’ इत्यर्थे (शब्दब्रह्म, परब्रह्म)।
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 1.4 (knowing Viṣṇu leads to Brahman-identity knowledge); Agni Purāṇa later mantra, vrata, and mokṣa-oriented teachings that exemplify śabda vs para emphases
FAQs
It distinguishes two learnings: śabda-brahman (Vedic sound—mantra, recitation, and scriptural study used in ritual and discipline) and para-brahman (the transcendent reality realized through contemplation and insight).
By mapping knowledge into a practical-ritual domain (Veda/mantra as śabda-brahman) and a metaphysical-liberative domain (para-brahman), it sets an organizing framework that supports the Purana’s wide coverage—from rites and mantras to philosophy and liberation.
Mastery of śabda-brahman purifies conduct through disciplined Vedic practice, while realization of para-brahman culminates in liberating knowledge—together presenting a complete path from sacred action to spiritual freedom.