Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 22
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
सम्पूर्णमण्डलं व्योम्नि शिवकल्लोलपूर्णितं तथा हृत्कमले ध्यायेत्तन्मध्ये स्वतनुं स्मरेत् साधको विगतक्लेशो जायते धारणादिहिः
sampūrṇamaṇḍalaṃ vyomni śivakallolapūrṇitaṃ tathā hṛtkamale dhyāyettanmadhye svatanuṃ smaret sādhako vigatakleśo jāyate dhāraṇādihiḥ
Hendaklah bermeditasi pada maṇḍala yang sempurna di angkasa batin, dipenuhi gelombang yang bergulung-gulung dari Śiva; demikian juga hendaklah merenungkannya dalam teratai hati, dan di tengahnya mengingat (memvisualkan) bentuk diri sendiri. Dengan dhāraṇā ini sahaja, pengamal menjadi bebas daripada segala klesa (derita) di sini, dalam kehidupan ini.
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional mode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Antar-yāga/manasā-pūjā: placing a Śiva-filled maṇḍala in inner space and heart-lotus, then visualizing oneself within it to dissolve kleśas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Antar-vyoma maṇḍala-dhyāna with Śiva-kallola and self-form (svatanu-smaraṇa)","lookup_keywords":["antar-yāga","hṛt-kamala","Śiva-kallola","inner maṇḍala","kleśa-nāśa"],"quick_summary":"Meditate on a complete maṇḍala in the inner sky, suffused with Śiva’s surging waves; replicate it in the heart-lotus and place one’s own form within—this dhāraṇā is said to remove afflictions in this life."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (metaphoric identification of inner space as ‘vyoma’ holding a maṇḍala)
Concept: Kleśa-kṣaya through internal worship: the locus shifts from external altar to inner sky and heart; self is re-situated within a Śiva-suffused totality.
Application: Practice daily: establish the maṇḍala in inner space, then in the heart; finally ‘seat’ yourself in the center—use this sequence to interrupt anxiety/rumination and restore composure.
Khanda Section: Yoga-Dharana & Tantric Dhyana (Antar-yaga, Manasa-puja)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin visualizes a luminous maṇḍala in the inner sky and again within the heart-lotus; within the heart-maṇḍala, the yogin’s subtle form sits, while Śiva-like waves of consciousness surge throughout.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal yogin with stylized chest-lotus opened; inside, a circular maṇḍala filled with rhythmic wave motifs symbolizing Śiva-kallola, limited palette with strong outlines, sacred symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heart-lotus rendered as ornate medallion with gold embossing; within it a maṇḍala of concentric rings and wave patterns, central seated subtle figure, radiant halo effects","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic: two panels—inner sky maṇḍala above, heart-lotus maṇḍala within chest; fine linework, gentle colors, clear instructional sequencing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meditating ascetic in a quiet interior; artistically depicted ‘cutaway’ heart showing lotus and maṇḍala with wave motifs, delicate detailing, restrained luminous washes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यायेत्तन्मध्ये = ध्यायेत् + तन्मध्ये; धारणादिहिः appears textually irregular; likely intended धारणादिभिः (instrumental plural) or धारणादिः (nominative).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 374 (Dhāraṇā: progressive internal placements); Agni Purana 375.1 (definition of samādhi as Self-only shining)
FAQs
It teaches a dhāraṇā-based visualization: meditate on a complete maṇḍala in the inner space (vyoman), saturated with Śiva-consciousness, then place the same contemplation in the heart-lotus and visualize oneself within its center.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied yogic–tantric technique (dhyāna/dhāraṇā, inner maṇḍala, heart-lotus contemplation), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical sādhanā instructions alongside many other sciences and arts.
The text states a direct fruit (phala): through sustained dhāraṇā the sādhaka becomes vigata-kleśa—freed from afflictions and obstacles—here and now, indicating purification and stabilizing of consciousness.