Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 17
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
महाभावञ्जपेत् सर्वं ततो व्यापक ईश्वरः अर्धेन्दुं परमं शान्तं निराभासन्निरञ्जनं
mahābhāvañjapet sarvaṃ tato vyāpaka īśvaraḥ ardhenduṃ paramaṃ śāntaṃ nirābhāsannirañjanaṃ
ମହାଭାବ ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ ସମସ୍ତ ଜପ କର; ତାପରେ ସର୍ବବ୍ୟାପୀ ଈଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କୁ ଅର୍ଧଚନ୍ଦ୍ରସଦୃଶ ପରମ ଶାନ୍ତ, ନିରାଭାସ, ନିରଞ୍ଜନ ଭାବେ ଧ୍ୟାନ କର।
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Japa performed with mahā-bhāva (intense devotional absorption) leading to īśvara-sākṣātkāra in a niranjana, śānta dhyāna-form.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Mahā-bhāva japa and the nirābhāsa-nirañjana Īśvara-dhyāna","lookup_keywords":["mahā-bhāva","japa-phala","vyāpaka īśvara","ardhendu upamā","nirañjana"],"quick_summary":"Do japa in deep devotional absorption; the fruit is contemplation/realization of the all-pervading Lord as supremely tranquil—pure, unstained, and subtly luminous like a crescent moon."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Bhāva (inner disposition) is decisive in mantra-japa; purified affect leads to perception of the Lord as all-pervading and stainless consciousness.
Application: Prioritize steadiness and devotion in japa (not mechanical repetition); hold a simple, pure dhyāna-image (crescent-like calm radiance) to prevent agitation and gross imaginings.
Khanda Section: Mantra-yoga / Dhyana-vidhi (Ishvara-dhyana and japa-phala)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee absorbed in japa, surrounded by a quiet aura; above/in front appears the all-pervading Lord as a tranquil, stainless presence, suggested by a crescent-moon glow—luminous yet subtle and untainted.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bhakta with japa-mālā, eyes softened in absorption, background dark to emphasize a pale crescent-like aura forming the Lord’s serene presence, minimal ornament, strong outlines, devotional stillness","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated devotee with mālā, the Lord represented as a serene luminous form with a crescent-moon motif in the halo, heavy gold work on halo and ornaments, rich reds, sacred ambience","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined facial expressions showing mahā-bhāva, soft luminous crescent above the deity-form, delicate shading, clean composition emphasizing tranquility and purity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with a lone sādhaka chanting, a subtle crescent glow in the air suggesting the formless-yet-present Lord, fine detailing, restrained palette, contemplative mood"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महाभावञ्जपेत् = महाभावम् + जपेत्; अर्धेन्दुम् = अर्ध + इन्दुम्; निराभासन्निरञ्जनम् = निराभासम् + निरञ्जनम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 374 (mantra-yoga, īśvara-dhyāna, japa-phala passages)
FAQs
It teaches a japa-and-dhyana method: perform recitation with mahā-bhāva (heightened devotional absorption) and contemplate Īśvara as all-pervading, supremely tranquil, and stainless (nirāñjana).
Beyond myths, the Agni Purana also catalogs practical spiritual technologies—mantra-japa, inner-state requirements (bhāva), and precise dhyāna descriptors (vyāpaka, śānta, nirābhāsa, nirāñjana)—showing its wide coverage of ritual and yogic disciplines.
Recitation performed with mahā-bhāva is presented as transformative: it purifies the practitioner and supports realization of the Lord as undefiled and all-pervading, reducing attachment to outward appearances (ābhāsa) and strengthening inner tranquility (śānti).