Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 16
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
व्योम्नि ब्रह्ममये पद्मे प्राणापाणे क्षयङ्गते प्रसादं चिन्तयेद् विष्णोर्यावच्चिन्ता क्षयं गता
vyomni brahmamaye padme prāṇāpāṇe kṣayaṅgate prasādaṃ cintayed viṣṇoryāvaccintā kṣayaṃ gatā
Di langit batin, dalam teratai yang tersusun daripada Brahman, apabila nafas masuk dan nafas keluar telah reda, hendaklah direnungkan kehadiran rahmat Viṣṇu—hingga perbuatan berfikir itu sendiri pun berhenti.
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga-vidya","practical_application":"Prāṇāyāma leading to pratyāhāra/dhyāna: contemplate Viṣṇu in the inner lotus when prāṇa-apāna subside, continuing until vṛtti-nirodha (cessation of thought).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhyāna in the inner sky-lotus after prāṇa–apāna subsidence","lookup_keywords":["vyo-man","brahmamaya padma","prāṇa apāna kṣaya","Viṣṇu prasāda dhyāna","citta-kṣaya"],"quick_summary":"After calming the breath so that inhalation and exhalation subside, meditate on Viṣṇu’s gracious presence in the inner lotus-space until even the mental act of contemplation becomes still."}
Concept: Breath-stilling as a gateway to mind-stilling; dhyāna culminates when even dhyāna-vṛtti dissolves (citta-kṣaya/nirodha).
Application: Practice gentle prāṇāyāma to quiet prāṇa-apāna; then hold a single sattvic Viṣṇu-image in the heart-lotus until attention becomes effortless and thought subsides.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana, Pranayama, Vishnu-smriti)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator visualizing a radiant lotus in the inner sky; the breath becomes subtle and still; within the lotus appears a serene Viṣṇu-form embodying grace, while surrounding thoughts fade into silence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogin seated, translucent chest revealing a lotus (padma) in a deep indigo inner-sky, Viṣṇu appearing within as calm blue figure with gentle aura, minimal background, strong outlines, sacred stillness","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central yogin with stylized heart-lotus inset like a medallion, Viṣṇu inside with gold halo and ornate jewelry, gold-leaf highlighting the lotus petals, rich temple palette, serene expression","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic yet elegant: subtle breath lines diminishing, heart-lotus labeled, Viṣṇu-form in the center, soft gradients to show ‘thought dissolving’, fine brushwork and calm composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, contemplative ascetic in a quiet chamber, a delicate translucent depiction of a lotus within the torso, faint luminous Viṣṇu figure inside, muted colors, intricate border, emphasis on inwardness"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राणापाणे = प्राण + अपाणे (द्वन्द्व, सप्तमी-द्विवचन); क्षयङ्गते = क्षयं + गते; विष्णोर्यावत् = विष्णोः + यावत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 374 (yoga-vidyā: dhyāna, prāṇāyāma, smṛti of Viṣṇu)
FAQs
It teaches a yogic sequence: enter the inner space (vyoman), stabilize awareness in the Brahman-like lotus (padma), let prāṇa–apāna subside (breath-quieting), and then meditate on Viṣṇu’s prasāda until mental ideation itself becomes still.
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves practical yoga instruction—linking pranayama (breath regulation), subtle-body loci (the lotus/inner ether), and theistic contemplation (Viṣṇu-smṛti) as a complete meditative method.
The verse points to purification through inner stillness: when breath and thought subside, contemplation of Viṣṇu’s grace culminates in a quiet mind—an indicator of deep samādhi-oriented practice and a pathway toward liberation (mokṣa).