Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 33
Chapter 381 — यमगीता
Yama-gītā
शुभे ह्य् एकत्र विषये चेतसो यत् प्रधारणं निश् चलत्वात्तु धीमद्भिर्धारणा द्विज कथ्यते
śubhe hy ekatra viṣaye cetaso yat pradhāraṇaṃ niś calatvāttu dhīmadbhirdhāraṇā dvija kathyate
ഹേ ദ്വിജാ! ഒരു ശുഭവിഷയത്തിൽ മനസ്സിനെ അചഞ്ചലമായി സ്ഥാപിച്ച് ധരിക്കുന്നത്—അതിന്റെ നിശ്ചല ഏകാഗ്രസ്വഭാവം കൊണ്ടു—ജ്ഞാനികൾ ‘ധാരണ’ എന്നു പറയുന്നു.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha / addressed to a dvija within the teaching frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Defines dharana for meditation training: choose a single auspicious support and hold attention steadily without wavering.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dharana-lakshana: Ekagra-chitta on Shubha-vishaya","lookup_keywords":["dharana","ekagrata","shubha-vishaya","chitta-sthairya","yoga"],"quick_summary":"Dharana is the unwavering fixation of mind on one auspicious object; its hallmark is stillness and one-pointedness."}
Concept: Dharana is defined by ekagrata (single-object steadiness) on a shubha support.
Application: Select a stable support (mantra, breath-point, deity form, or inner light) and train for unmoving attention, returning gently whenever the mind drifts.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Dharana–Samadhi Lakshana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator with eyes half-closed, mind symbolized as a steady flame fixed on a single auspicious object (a lotus, bindu, or deity emblem).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogi seated, a single lotus/bindu glowing before the brow, thick expressive outlines, minimal distractions, calm symmetrical framing, auspicious motifs (lotus, conch) subtly placed.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central meditating figure with gold halo, a single luminous lotus as the meditation object, ornate border, rich jewel tones, devotional stillness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of ekagra focus: one object highlighted, background muted, soft gradients, precise posture and gaze direction, serene palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, quiet pavilion with a yogi focusing on a single lamp-flame, intricate architectural details, delicate brushwork, subdued colors emphasizing stillness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ह्य् = हि; निश् चलत्वात्तु = निश्चलत्वात् तु; धीमद्भिर्धारणा = धीमद्भिः धारणा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 381.34 (dhyana and samadhi definitions)
FAQs
It gives a technical definition of dhāraṇā: the firm, unmoving, one-pointed holding of the mind on a single auspicious meditation-object.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies yoga terminology; here it precisely defines a core limb of meditative discipline (dhāraṇā) in a sutra-like manner.
Training the mind to remain steady on a wholesome (śubha) object purifies attention, supports deeper meditation, and becomes a foundation for higher yogic absorption and inner clarity.