Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 376 — ब्रह्मज्ञानम्
Knowledge of Brahman
संयुक्तं सप्तदशभिर्हिरण्यगर्भसंज्ञितं शरीरमात्मनः सूक्ष्मं लिङ्गमित्यभिधीयते
saṃyuktaṃ saptadaśabhirhiraṇyagarbhasaṃjñitaṃ śarīramātmanaḥ sūkṣmaṃ liṅgamityabhidhīyate
सतरा तत्त्वांनी संयुक्त असलेले, ‘हिरण्यगर्भ’ म्हणून ओळखले जाणारे आत्म्याचे सूक्ष्म शरीर यालाच ‘लिंग’ असे म्हणतात.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the standard Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Understand the subtle body as a structured set of 17 constituents and relate it to Hiraṇyagarbha (cosmic subtle principle), aiding avastha-traya and microcosm–macrocosm contemplation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Liṅga/Sūkṣma-śarīra as Seventeenfold; Hiraṇyagarbha Designation","lookup_keywords":["saptadasha","hiranyagarbha","sukshma-sharira","linga-sharira","tattva-sanghata"],"quick_summary":"The subtle body of the Self is defined as that conjoined with seventeen constituents and is termed Hiraṇyagarbha in its cosmic aspect—useful for enumerative analysis of the inner instrument."}
Concept: Liṅga (sūkṣma-śarīra) as a seventeenfold conjunction; Hiraṇyagarbha as the cosmic designation of this subtle principle.
Application: For meditation and self-analysis, enumerate inner functions (mind/senses/vital forces as applicable) as liṅga-instruments, then rest as the witness beyond them.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Yoga / Tattva (Subtle Body and Cosmology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous ‘golden womb’ (Hiraṇyagarbha) sphere containing a subtle human form; around it, seventeen small icons representing constituents arranged like a mandala; the Self indicated as a steady central light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: golden egg-like aura (Hiraṇyagarbha) with a subtle figure inside; seventeen petal-icons around (senses, mind, vitalities as symbols); deep reds/ochres, temple aesthetic.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Hiraṇyagarbha as embossed gold oval with gemstone accents; subtle body as gold-outlined translucent figure; seventeen miniature medallions around; rich ornamental frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: mandala diagram with 17 labeled nodes around a central subtle-body silhouette; soft colors, precise lines, pedagogical layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: celestial golden orb floating above a landscape; within, a faint figure; surrounding, 17 tiny emblems in a circular arrangement; meticulous detailing and decorative margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सप्तदशभिः हिरण्यगर्भसंज्ञितम् → सप्तदशभिर्हिरण्यगर्भसंज्ञितम् (visarga/r-sandhi); शरीरम् आत्मनः → शरीरमात्मनः; लिङ्गम् इति → लिङ्गमिति; इति अभिधीयते → इत्यभिधीयते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 376.9; Agni Purana 376.12
FAQs
It gives a technical definition from Sāṅkhya–Yoga metaphysics: the ‘liṅga’ or subtle body is the Self’s subtle embodiment constituted by a set of seventeen components and is identified with the Hiraṇyagarbha principle.
Beyond ritual and worship, the Agni Purāṇa also systematizes philosophical doctrines—here, it preserves a concise, technical account of subtle-body theory and cosmological Hiraṇyagarbha, reflecting its multi-disciplinary, encyclopedic scope.
By distinguishing the Self from the subtle body that carries impressions, the verse supports discrimination (viveka): realizing what transmigrates (liṅga-śarīra) versus the witnessing Self aids detachment and progress toward liberation.