Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 17
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
यथा पुंसः पृथग्भावः प्राकृतैः करणैर् नृप सोढव्यः स महाभारः कतरो नृपते मया
yathā puṃsaḥ pṛthagbhāvaḥ prākṛtaiḥ karaṇair nṛpa soḍhavyaḥ sa mahābhāraḥ kataro nṛpate mayā
Wahai raja, sebagaimana rasa keakuan yang terpisah pada diri manusia ditanggung melalui daya-daya semula jadinya, demikian juga beban besar itu mesti dipikul. Katakanlah kepadaku, wahai tuan segala raja—beban yang manakah harus kupikul?
Uncertain (verse is framed as an address to a king: nṛpa/nṛpate; likely within Agni’s didactic narration but immediate speaker not securely identifiable from the single verse alone)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Cultivating endurance and humility in rulership: bearing the ‘great burden’ of embodied individuality and governance without egoic collapse.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Burden of Individuality and the King’s Burden","lookup_keywords":["pṛthagbhāva","prakṛta-karaṇa","mahābhāra","sahana","nṛpa"],"quick_summary":"The verse analogizes the human sense of separateness—carried through natural faculties—to the heavy burden that must be endured. It frames kingship as a discipline of endurance and self-inquiry."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Pṛthagbhāva (sense of separateness) is a carried burden mediated by the faculties; endurance and discernment loosen egoic weight.
Application: For leaders: practice restraint, reflection, and impartiality; treat office as duty (bhāra) rather than self-extension (ahaṃkāra).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti (Counsel on governance, endurance, and burdens of rule)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in contemplation beside a halted palanquin, while a sage explains that individuality itself is a burden borne by the faculties; the king gestures as if asking which burden he must bear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with serene face, sage pointing to the king’s heart and to the senses (stylized eyes/ears/hands), palanquin in background, calm earth tones and bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold halo-like emphasis around the sage, king with folded hands, symbolic depiction of indriyas as small motifs around the figure, ornate palace backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, delicate expressions, instructional tableau: sage illustrating ‘prakṛta-karaṇa’ with subtle icon symbols, king listening, minimal background for clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate court scene, king seated on carpet, sage speaking, attendants and palanquin outside pavilion, fine detailing of gestures and facial nuance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पृथग्भावः = पृथक् + भावः; करणैर् = करणैः + (रेफ-संधि before nṛpa); सोढव्यः is √sah + तव्यत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Nīti passages on kṣamā (forbearance), indriya-nigraha (sense-control), and rājadharma duties
FAQs
Not a ritual vidyā; it imparts a niti/rajadharma principle: burdens arising from one’s role and nature should be endured with steadiness, like the unavoidable operations of the natural faculties.
It reflects the Purana’s statecraft and ethical-psychological instruction alongside ritual and theology—showing that the Agni Purana also preserves practical counsel for rulers (rajadharma) and human conduct.
Enduring one’s rightful burden (dharma) without agitation reduces ego-driven reaction and supports karmic alignment—framing responsibility as a discipline of steadiness rather than avoidance.