Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 12
Chapter 376 — ब्रह्मज्ञानम्
Knowledge of Brahman
विश्वस्तदभिमानी स्यात् त्रयमेतदकारकं अपञ्चीकृतभूतानि तत्कार्यं लिङ्गमुच्यते
viśvastadabhimānī syāt trayametadakārakaṃ apañcīkṛtabhūtāni tatkāryaṃ liṅgamucyate
Sesiapa yang mengidentifikasi dirinya dengan seluruh kosmos disebut ‘Viśva’. Triad ini bersifat tidak-agen (bukan pelaku). Unsur-unsur yang belum dipañcīkṛta serta apa yang terhasil daripadanya disebut sebagai tubuh halus, iaitu liṅga.
Lord Agni (teaching to Vashistha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Map avastha/adhimana: identify viśva as the cosmic-identified experiencer; understand the triad as non-agentive; define liṅga (subtle body) as apanchikrita elements and their products for self-inquiry.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Viśva (Cosmic-identified) and Liṅga (Subtle Body) from Apanchikrita Bhutas","lookup_keywords":["visva","abhimani","triad-non-agentive","linga-sharira","apanchikrita-bhuta"],"quick_summary":"Viśva denotes the one identifying with the totality; the mentioned triad is non-agentive; the subtle body (liṅga) is defined as the unquintuplicated elements and their derivatives—supporting precise Vedantic taxonomy."}
Concept: Non-agency of the enumerated triad; viśva as identification with the whole; liṅga as subtle-body complex rooted in apanchikrita elements and their effects.
Application: Shift from ‘I am the doer’ to analysis of instruments (liṅga) and identifications (viśva), enabling detachment and steadier meditation.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Vedanta / Tattva-nirupana (Subtle-body and cosmological categories)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A three-layer schematic: (1) a figure labeled viśva identifying with a cosmic panorama, (2) a triad shown as inert instruments, (3) a subtle-body (liṅga) made of fine elemental icons (tanmatra-like) surrounding a luminous Self.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: cosmic landscape wrapped around a human silhouette (viśva-abhimana); below, three inert emblems (triad) shown as unmoving; subtle body as delicate colored elemental petals; sacred, didactic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate cosmic oval with gold; viśva figure with gold crown-like aura; triad as three embossed symbols; liṅga as a fine gold filigree sheath of subtle elements around the inner light.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional chart with three registers; viśva as macrocosm-identification; triad as non-agentive tools; liṅga as subtle-element network; precise linework and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: philosopher teaching students with a painted diagram: a man seeing himself as the world; three inert icons on a tray; a translucent subtle-body overlay; refined borders and muted tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विश्वः तत्-अभिमानी → विश्वस्तदभिमानी (visarga sandhi); त्रयम् एतत् → त्रयमेतत्; लिङ्गम् उच्यते → लिङ्गमुच्यते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 376.9; Agni Purana 376.11; Agni Purana 376.13
FAQs
It gives technical metaphysical definitions: the ‘viśva’ identification and the definition of liṅga-śarīra as arising from the subtle (apañcīkṛta) elements and their effects, clarifying how the transmigrating subtle body is constituted.
Beyond ritual and devotion, the Agni Purana also preserves systematic category-analysis (tattva-nirūpaṇa) akin to Sāṅkhya/Vedānta—here explaining subtle elements, agency, and the liṅga-śarīra—showing its wide-ranging, encyclopedia-like scope.
By distinguishing the non-agentive triad and identifying the subtle body as a product of subtle elements, the verse supports dis-identification from doership and embodiment—key for reducing karmic bondage and progressing toward liberation-oriented insight.