Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 24
Yati-dharma
The Dharma of the Renunciate Ascetic
तालो लघ्वक्षरो मात्रा प्रणवादि चरेच्छनैः प्रत्याहारो जापकानां ध्यानमीश्वरचिन्तनं
tālo laghvakṣaro mātrā praṇavādi carecchanaiḥ pratyāhāro jāpakānāṃ dhyānamīśvaracintanaṃ
ତାଳ, ଲଘ୍ୱକ୍ଷର ଓ ମାତ୍ରା—ପ୍ରଣବ (ଓଁ) ଠାରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରି—ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ଅଭ୍ୟାସ କରିବା ଉଚିତ। ଜପକାରୀଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାହାର ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରିୟ-ନିବୃତ୍ତି, ଏବଂ ଧ୍ୟାନ ହେଉଛି ଈଶ୍ୱର-ଚିନ୍ତନ।
Lord Agni (narrating the discipline of mantra-japa and yogic auxiliaries)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Yoga and Mantra-Sadhana (Japa, Pratyahara, Dhyana)","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Use regulated timing (tāla/mātrā) beginning with Oṃ to stabilize japa; cultivate pratyāhāra to reduce sensory distraction; define dhyāna as īśvara-cintana to keep meditation object clear.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Japa-krama: Tāla–Mātrā, Pratyāhāra, Dhyāna (Īśvara-cintana)","lookup_keywords":["tāla","mātrā","praṇava","pratyāhāra","dhyāna"],"quick_summary":"Japa should be trained gradually with measured timing starting from Oṃ. For japa-practitioners, pratyāhāra is sense-withdrawal and dhyāna is steady contemplation of the Lord."}
Concept: Mantra-japa becomes effective through gradual regulation (krama), sensory withdrawal (pratyāhāra), and God-centered meditation (dhyāna).
Application: Adopt a counted mātrā pace (e.g., steady breath-linked count), begin sessions with Oṃ, then practice brief pratyāhāra before japa and conclude with īśvara-cintana.
Khanda Section: Yoga and Mantra-Sadhana (Japa, Pratyahara, Dhyana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seated yogin performing japa with a mālā, beginning with Oṃ, while senses withdraw inward; a subtle aura indicates īśvara-cintana.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, seated yogin in padmāsana with japa-mālā, subtle depiction of Oṃ above, inward-drawn senses symbolized by lotus petals closing, warm earthy palette, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yogin with ornate halo, Oṃ in gold leaf above, mālā in hand, minimal background with temple arch motif, rich reds and greens, embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional composition showing mātrā/tāla as small rhythmic marks near the rosary, calm yogin, delicate linework, soft shading, restrained ornamentation.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, a saintly figure in a quiet chamber counting beads, calligraphic Oṃ on a hanging scroll, attendants absent to emphasize pratyāhāra, fine detailing and muted pastels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: laghvakṣaraḥ = laghu + akṣaraḥ; carecchanaiḥ parsed as caret + śanaiḥ; dhyānamīśvaracintanaṃ = dhyānam + īśvara-cintanam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 161 (Yoga/Mantra definitions around japa, pratyāhāra, dhyāna)
FAQs
It defines core technical elements of mantra-japa practice—measured cadence (tāla), syllabic/time units (laghu, mātrā), gradual training beginning with Oṃ, and it identifies pratyāhāra and dhyāna as essential supports for effective japa.
Alongside ritual and devotional material, it also preserves precise yogic and phonetic/prosodic terminology (tāla, mātrā, pratyāhāra, dhyāna), showing the text’s coverage of practical meditation science and mantra methodology.
By regulating recitation and progressively cultivating sense-withdrawal and God-centered meditation, japa becomes inwardly purified and concentrated, strengthening devotion and supporting mental purification (citta-śuddhi) and steadiness in spiritual practice.