Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 53
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
दग्धापरस्मिन् सन्दध्यान्निर्वाणे प्रकृतिन्नरः अविकारे समादध्यादीश्वरे प्रकृतिन्नरः
dagdhāparasmin sandadhyānnirvāṇe prakṛtinnaraḥ avikāre samādadhyādīśvare prakṛtinnaraḥ
ਜਦੋਂ ‘ਪਰ’ ਅਰਥਾਤ ਬਾਹਰੀ ਵਿਸ਼ਯ-ਖੇਤਰ ਸੜ ਕੇ ਮਿਟ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਦ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨਿਰਵਾਣ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਕ੍ਰਿਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਟਿਕਾਏ। ਅਵਿਕਾਰ ਈਸ਼ਵਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਪ੍ਰਕ੍ਰਿਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ੍ਹਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਵੇਸ਼ ਕਰੇ।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to sage Vasiṣṭha in the standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Meditative withdrawal: after ‘burning’ objective experience, stabilize contemplation on prakṛti within nirvāṇa and in the changeless Īśvara—used as a dhyāna instruction for liberation-oriented yoga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nirvāṇa-dhyāna: ‘burning the other’ and fixing contemplation on Prakṛti in Īśvara","lookup_keywords":["nirvana","prakriti","ishvara","sankhya-yoga","dhyana"],"quick_summary":"First negate/consume external objectivity (‘the other’); then hold steady contemplation on prakṛti as seen in nirvāṇa and as grounded in the changeless Lord."}
Concept: Viveka and laya: the objective field is ‘burnt’ (dagdha) by knowledge/absorption; contemplation rests on prakṛti as subordinated to the changeless Īśvara, pointing to liberation through steady dhyāna.
Application: In meditation, withdraw attention from sense-objects, dissolve their impressions, then maintain one-pointed awareness on the causal ground (prakṛti) while anchoring devotion/insight in the immutable Lord.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Sankhya-Yoga (Nirvana and Prakriti–Ishvara contemplation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in deep meditation; the outer world appears as ashes or fading forms; behind/within, a luminous, changeless Īśvara; prakṛti shown as a subtle veil or cosmic matrix held steady in contemplation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, serene yogin in padmāsana, outer sensory world dissolving into ash-gray motifs, luminous central deity-form of Īśvara behind, prakṛti as a patterned green-gold veil, lotus and flame symbolism, calm symmetrical framing","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold haloed Īśvara as immutable center, yogin before him, background objects rendered as dimmed silhouettes turning to ash, rich gold work emphasizing changelessness, minimal but iconic composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, soft gradients, contemplative yogin with subtle diagrammatic overlay: ‘dagdha-para’ as fading icons of senses, ‘prakṛti’ as translucent layer, ‘īśvara’ as steady light, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined landscape with fading worldly scene at margins, central meditating figure, ethereal luminous lordly presence, delicate smoke/ash motifs, fine detailing and subdued palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: sandadhyān → sandadhyāt (as per IAST sandadhyān- likely sandadhyāt); samādadhyādīśvare → samādadhyāt + īśvare.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (mokṣa-dharma / sāṃkhya-yoga thread)
FAQs
It teaches a meditative technique: after ‘burning’ attachment to the external/objective realm, one should concentrate steadily in nirvāṇa and contemplate Prakṛti as grounded in the changeless Īśvara.
Alongside ritual and worldly sciences, the Agni Purana preserves a compact mokṣa-śāstra layer—Sāṅkhya–Yoga style instructions on inner withdrawal, metaphysics (Prakṛti), and devotion/grounding in Īśvara.
By dissolving fixation on the ‘other’ and stabilizing awareness in the changeless Lord, the practitioner reduces karmic binding tendencies (saṅkalpa/āsakti) and moves toward liberation (nirvāṇa).