Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 47
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
ब्रह्मविद्याद्वयोपेतं भुक्तिदं मुक्तिदं महत् नास्मात्परतरः सारो नास्मात्परतरः सुहृत्
brahmavidyādvayopetaṃ bhuktidaṃ muktidaṃ mahat nāsmātparataraḥ sāro nāsmātparataraḥ suhṛt
हे द्विविध ब्रह्मविद्येने युक्त, महान आहे—भोग व मोक्ष देणारे। याहून श्रेष्ठ सार नाही, आणि याहून श्रेष्ठ हितचिंतकही नाही।
Lord Agni (narrating the teaching to sage Vashistha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Frames the Purāṇa as delivering both bhukti (worldly well-being) and mukti (liberation) through ‘twofold Brahmavidyā’; guides readers to balance pravṛtti and nivṛtti aims.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Twofold Brahmavidyā—Bhukti and Mukti fruits","lookup_keywords":["brahmavidya","dvaya","bhukti","mukti","sāra"],"quick_summary":"Defines the text’s core utility as twofold Brahma-knowledge yielding both prosperity and liberation, presenting it as the highest essence and benefactor for seekers."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa (support by restatement: sāra/suhṛt)
Concept: Brahmavidyā as the supreme means; ‘dvaya’ suggests a paired approach—knowledge with practice (jñāna + upāsanā) or the two aims (bhukti + mukti) supported by the same wisdom.
Application: Use the text for integrated life-guidance: dharmic action and devotion for well-being, and contemplative Brahman-realization for liberation.
Khanda Section: Brahmavidya / Moksha-shastra (Spiritual Knowledge and Liberation Teachings)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic teaching scene: a manuscript radiating two streams—one toward a prosperous householder life (bhukti) and one toward a renunciate’s path (mukti)—with sages indicating ‘sāra’ and ‘suhṛt’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, allegorical split-path composition: left side household prosperity motifs, right side ascetic meditation, central glowing palm-leaf text, sages pointing, warm saturated colors and stylized forms","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central scripture with gold aura, two attendants personifying Bhukti and Mukti, ornate gold work, symmetrical composition, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear diagrammatic allegory: two paths labeled bhukti/mukti, teacher-sage explaining, soft pastel palette, fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined allegory: scholar presenting manuscript, one group of well-dressed patrons and another of ascetics, delicate landscape, subtle halos and inscriptions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्मविद्याद्वयोपेतं = ब्रह्मविद्या + द्वय + उपेतम्. नास्मात्परतरः = न + अस्मात् + परतरः (a-sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mokṣa-dharma and brahmavidyā sections (various later adhyāyas); Agni Purana: phala-śruti passages on śravaṇa/pāṭha benefits
FAQs
It teaches Brahmavidya as a twofold liberating knowledge—presented as a complete discipline that yields both bhukti (worldly welfare) and mukti (final liberation), emphasizing its practical and soteriological utility rather than a specific external ritual.
By explicitly framing Brahmavidya as the highest ‘sāra’ (essence) and as beneficial for both life-goals (prosperity and liberation), it shows how the Agni Purana integrates metaphysical Vedanta-style instruction alongside its many applied sciences—positioning spiritual knowledge as the crown of its encyclopedic curriculum.
The verse declares Brahmavidya to be the supreme benefactor: it purifies aims and actions by aligning them with ultimate reality, culminating in liberation while also supporting righteous well-being in worldly life.