Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 32
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
सर्वाभरणभूषाढ्यो वितस्तर्वा यथेच्छया अहं ब्रह्म ज्योतिरात्मा वाउदेवो बिमुक्त ॐ
sarvābharaṇabhūṣāḍhyo vitastarvā yathecchayā ahaṃ brahma jyotirātmā vāudevo bimukta oṃ
सर्व आभूषणांनी भूषित होऊन, इच्छेनुसार वितस्ती-प्रमाण (एक बित्ते) इतके रूप धारण करून असे ध्यान करावे—“मी ब्रह्म आहे; माझे स्वरूप ज्योती आहे; मी वासुदेव—पूर्ण मुक्त।” ॐ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mahāvākya-style contemplation for mokṣa-sādhana: internalize identity with Brahman/Vāsudeva as self-luminous consciousness; use Oṃ as seal for meditation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Ahaṃ Brahma—Jyotirātmā—Vāsudevo Vimukta (Oṃ)","lookup_keywords":["ahaṃ brahma","jyotirātmā","vāsudeva","vimukta","oṃ"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a self-realization formula: contemplate ‘I am Brahman, of the nature of light; I am Vāsudeva, liberated,’ sealed with Oṃ. It functions as a jñāna-yoga dhyāna-mantra to dissolve dehābhimāna."}
Concept: Ahamgraha-upāsanā / non-dual self-identification: the self is Brahman, self-luminous consciousness; Vāsudeva as the inner Self; liberation as present recognition.
Application: In seated meditation, repeat the contemplation slowly, resting attention on ‘jyotiḥ’ (self-luminosity) and dropping identification with body and roles; conclude with Oṃ as niścaya (firm resolve).
Khanda Section: Moksha-Dharma / Jnana-Yoga (Mantra and Self-Realization)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin in meditation visualizes a small, span-sized luminous Vāsudeva within the heart-lotus, adorned yet made of pure light; the syllable Oṃ radiates above like a seal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, meditating sage with inner-heart lotus showing a tiny radiant Vāsudeva figure, golden-white aura, Oṃ motif above, stylized flames/halo, sacred geometry subtle in background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central meditating figure with embossed gold aura, inner heart-lotus containing miniature Vāsudeva, heavy gold highlights on ornaments, Oṃ in gold at top, deep rich background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, calm instructional composition: seated yogin, transparent chest revealing heart-lotus and small luminous deity, soft gradients for inner light, clear Oṃ symbol, minimal clutter","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined meditating ascetic in a quiet chamber, delicate depiction of inner luminous form via subtle glow, calligraphic Oṃ, fine textile and architectural details"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yathecchayā = यथा-इच्छया (vowel sandhi: अ + इ → ए); jyotirātmā = ज्योतिः + आत्मा (visarga sandhi: ः + आ → रा). Text of this verse appears corrupt/variant in places (वितस्तर्वा, वाउदेवो, बिमुक्त).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Mokṣa-dharma/Jñāna-yoga sections (self-knowledge teachings); Agni Purana 373.33 (alternation of japa and dhyāna)
FAQs
It imparts a jñāna-yoga contemplation/mantra: identifying the self with Brahman (light-natured Ātman) and with Vāsudeva, using Oṃ as the seal—intended for meditative realization rather than external ritual.
Alongside practical subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves concise mokṣa-instructions—here, a compact formula of non-dual contemplation—showing its range from ritual and dharma to direct liberation-teachings.
The instruction aims at inner purification through identity-shift from body-mind to Brahman/Vāsudeva, culminating in the state described as vimukta (fully freed), with Oṃ marking the contemplative absorption.