Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 33
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
ध्यानाच्छ्रान्तो जपेन्मन्त्रं जपाच्छ्रान्तश् च चिन्तयेत् जपध्यानादियुक्तस्य विष्णुः शीघ्रं प्रसीदति
dhyānācchrānto japenmantraṃ japācchrāntaś ca cintayet japadhyānādiyuktasya viṣṇuḥ śīghraṃ prasīdati
ਧਿਆਨ ਨਾਲ ਥੱਕ ਜਾਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਮੰਤਰ-ਜਪ ਕਰੇ, ਅਤੇ ਜਪ ਨਾਲ ਥੱਕ ਜਾਵੇ ਤਾਂ (ਅਰਥ ਅਤੇ ਦੇਵਤਾ ਦਾ) ਚਿੰਤਨ ਕਰੇ। ਜੋ ਜਪ ਅਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਆਦਿ ਅਭਿਆਸਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਯੁਕਤ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਵਿਸ਼ਨੂ ਜਲਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"A practical sādhana protocol: alternate japa and dhyāna to manage fatigue and maintain continuity of practice, aiming at quick prasāda of Viṣṇu.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Japa–Dhyāna Alternation to Overcome Fatigue (Viṣṇu-prasāda)","lookup_keywords":["japa","dhyāna","śrānti","sādhana-krama","viṣṇu prasāda"],"quick_summary":"When meditation tires the mind, shift to mantra-japa; when japa tires, return to contemplation of meaning and form. This alternation sustains practice and is said to please Viṣṇu quickly."}
Concept: Abhyāsa through skillful means (upāya): sustaining attention by alternating complementary practices; devotion matures through steady discipline.
Application: Set timed rounds (e.g., 10–15 minutes): dhyāna → japa → artha-cintana; repeat cycles, ending with a brief silent resting in the deity’s presence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yoga (Japa-Dhyana Sadhana)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated before a small Viṣṇu altar: alternating between silent visualization (eyes half-closed) and mantra-japa with a mālā; a calm aura suggests Viṣṇu’s quick grace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sādhaka with japa-mālā before Viṣṇu, alternating posture cues (hands in japa, then in dhyāna), warm lamp/firelight, stylized temple interior, serene devotional mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, devotee with mālā before Viṣṇu image, gold foil on deity and lamp, clear depiction of japa beads, rich ornamentation, devotional ambience emphasizing prasāda","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional triptych feel: panel-like depiction of dhyāna then japa then contemplation, clean lines, soft colors, clear mālā and seated posture details","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor scene with devotee and prayer beads, small Viṣṇu icon on pedestal, fine carpet patterns, subtle gestures showing alternation of practice, delicate illumination"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dhyānācchrāntaḥ = ध्यानात् + श्रान्तः (t + ś → cch); japenmantraṃ = जपेत् + मन्त्रम् (t + m → n m by sandhi/assimilation); japācchrāntaḥ = जपात् + श्रान्तः (t + ś → cch); śīghraṃ (adverbial accusative form used as avyaya).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373.29-32 (dhyāna-lakṣaṇa and contemplation formula)
FAQs
It teaches a practical sādhana method: alternate japa (mantra repetition) and dhyāna/cintana (meditative contemplation) to manage fatigue while keeping continuous devotional practice.
Alongside its many subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves actionable spiritual techniques—here, a concise practice protocol for sustaining worship through alternating disciplines (japa and dhyāna), reflecting its manual-like breadth.
Steady engagement in japa and meditation is presented as quickly generating divine grace: sustained, balanced practice leads to Viṣṇu’s prompt satisfaction and favor.