Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 23
Chapter 376 — ब्रह्मज्ञानम्
Knowledge of Brahman
अयमात्मा परम्ब्रह्म तद् ब्रह्म त्वमसीति च गुरुणा बोधितो जीवो ह्य् अहं ब्रह्मास्मि वाह्यतः
ayamātmā parambrahma tad brahma tvamasīti ca guruṇā bodhito jīvo hy ahaṃ brahmāsmi vāhyataḥ
ഗുരുവിന്റെ ബോധനപ്രകാരം—“ഈ ആത്മാവ് പരബ്രഹ്മം” എന്നും “അത് ബ്രഹ്മം; നീ അതുതന്നെ” എന്നും അറിഞ്ഞ ജീവൻ ഉറപ്പിക്കുന്നു: “ഞാൻ ബ്രഹ്മം”, പുറം ആചരണത്തിലും അതേ ഭാവത്തിൽ നിലകൊള്ളുന്നു.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guru-upadeśa of mahāvākyas leading to firm brahma-bhāva, expressed not only inwardly but also in outward conduct (ācāra) as equanimity and non-attachment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Guru-upadeśa of Mahāvākyas: ‘Ayam ātmā brahma’ and ‘Tat tvam asi’ leading to ‘Aham brahmāsmi’","lookup_keywords":["Guru-upadeśa","Mahāvākya","Tat tvam asi","Ayam ātmā brahma","Aham brahmāsmi"],"quick_summary":"Outlines the pedagogical sequence: the guru teaches mahāvākyas; the jīva gains conviction ‘I am Brahman,’ which should mature into consistent outer conduct."}
Concept: Liberating knowledge arises through guru-instruction in mahāvākyas; realization must integrate into vyavahāra (outer life) without contradiction.
Application: Follow śravaṇa (listen to mahāvākya), manana (resolve doubts), nididhyāsana (abide as Brahman), then express it as steady ethics, fearlessness, and non-reactivity in daily dealings.
Khanda Section: Moksha-vidya (Advaita Vedanta / Mahavakya-upadesha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru teaching a seated disciple; behind them appear the three mahāvākyas as luminous inscriptions, while the disciple later walks calmly through worldly scenes, unchanged.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru under a banyan tree instructing disciple, glowing inscriptions ‘अयमात्मा ब्रह्म’ and ‘तत्त्वमसि’, second vignette of disciple in marketplace serene, earthy palette and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, guru-shishya scene with gold haloed figures, embossed Devanagari mahāvākyas in gold panels, ornate throne-arch, disciple holding palm-leaf manuscript, rich reds/greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, pedagogical layout: left panel guru-upadeśa, right panel disciple in daily conduct showing equanimity, fine linework, soft washes, clear inscriptions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, teacher and student in a garden pavilion with manuscripts; calligraphic mahāvākyas in the margin; a small secondary scene of the student in courtly life remaining composed, intricate border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अयमात्मा = अयम् + आत्मा; परम्ब्रह्म = परम् + ब्रह्म; त्वमसीति = त्वम् + असि + इति; जीवो ह्य् = जीवः + हि; ब्रह्मास्मि = ब्रह्म + अस्मि
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Moksha-vidya sections on guru, jnana, and conduct (ācāra) around this passage
FAQs
It imparts Moksha-vidya (non-dual self-knowledge): through the guru’s mahāvākyas (“Ayam ātmā brahma,” “Tat tvam asi”), the jīva realizes and affirms “Ahaṁ brahmāsmi,” shaping even outward conduct.
Alongside ritual, governance, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves Upanishadic-style Vedānta: this verse shows its coverage of liberation doctrine and guru-disciple instruction, completing its multi-disciplinary scope.
Realization of identity with Brahman is presented as liberating knowledge that dissolves ignorance and its karmic bondage, leading to steadiness where inner realization is reflected in outer life (vāhyataḥ).