Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 2
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
यद्वाह्यावस्थितं लक्षयं तस्मान्न चलते मनः तावत् कालं प्रदेशेषु धारणा मनसि स्थितिः
yadvāhyāvasthitaṃ lakṣayaṃ tasmānna calate manaḥ tāvat kālaṃ pradeśeṣu dhāraṇā manasi sthitiḥ
ଯେତେବେଳେ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟକୁ ବାହ୍ୟରେ ସ୍ଥାପନ କରାଯାଏ ଏବଂ ମନ ତାହାଠାରୁ ଚଳେ ନାହିଁ, ସେତେ ସମୟ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ମନର ସ୍ଥିର ଅବସ୍ଥାକୁ ଧାରଣା (ଏକାଗ୍ରତା) କୁହାଯାଏ।
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in yogic discipline within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"A practical concentration drill: fix attention on an external target (locus/object) and train non-wandering for a set duration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dhāraṇā on an External Lakṣya (Bāhya-ālambana)","lookup_keywords":["bāhya-lakṣya","dhāraṇā-lakṣaṇa","ekāgratā","ālambana","manas-sthiti"],"quick_summary":"Dhāraṇā is defined as the mind’s steady abiding in a designated locus as long as it does not move away from the chosen external object. The definition emphasizes duration and non-deviation."}
Concept: Ekāgratā through bāhya-ālambana: concentration is measured by continuity of attention without drift.
Application: Pick a stable external object (lamp flame, yantra point, deity image). Set a timer; maintain gaze/attention; when the mind moves, gently return—count uninterrupted spans to track progress.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Dharana–Samadhi: meditative technique)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated facing a steady lamp flame or a yantra dot on a wall; the mind depicted as a tethered bird resting on the chosen point, not flying away; calm, minimal setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogi before a brass oil lamp; stylized flame as the lakṣya; decorative border; subdued palette with strong outlines; symbolic bird-mind resting near the flame.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central lamp with gold highlights; seated sādhaka with mālā; gold-embossed circular focus point; minimal background, temple-pillared frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: object (lamp/yantra) clearly drawn; arrows indicating ‘mind returns to focus’; soft colors, precise lines, calm interior.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-saint in a quiet chamber focusing on a candle; delicate carpet patterns; a small bird motif hovering near the flame to symbolize attention."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yadvāhyāvasthitaṃ = yat+vāhya-avasthitam; tasmānna = tasmāt+na; (lakṣayaṃ in IAST appears for lakṣyam); tāvat kālam (duration); definition: dhāraṇā = manasi sthitiḥ ...
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dhāraṇā definitions and time-measures (374.3–374.4)
FAQs
It gives a technical definition of dhāraṇā: holding the mind steadily on a selected external object (lakṣya) without wavering, for a measurable duration, often with a specified locus (pradeśa).
Beyond mythology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves systematic yoga terminology (dhāraṇā, loci of practice, time-based criteria), showing it functions as a compendium of practical disciplines alongside other sciences.
Steady concentration purifies mental fluctuation (citta-vikṣepa), supports deeper meditation, and is presented as a direct means to inner steadiness that prepares the practitioner for higher yogic absorption.