Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 12
Chapter 376 — ब्रह्मज्ञानम्
Knowledge of Brahman
विश्वस्तदभिमानी स्यात् त्रयमेतदकारकं अपञ्चीकृतभूतानि तत्कार्यं लिङ्गमुच्यते
viśvastadabhimānī syāt trayametadakārakaṃ apañcīkṛtabhūtāni tatkāryaṃ liṅgamucyate
ਜੋ ਸਮੂਹ ਜਗਤ ਨਾਲ ਆਪਣੀ ਏਕਤਾ ਦਾ ਅਭਿਮਾਨ ਕਰੇ, ਉਹ ‘ਵਿਸ਼ਵ’ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਤ੍ਰਿਯ ਅਕਰਤਾ (ਅਕਾਰਕ) ਹੈ। ਅਪੰਚੀਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਭੂਤ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਜ ‘ਲਿੰਗ’ (ਸੂਖਮ ਸ਼ਰੀਰ) ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (teaching to Vashistha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Map avastha/adhimana: identify viśva as the cosmic-identified experiencer; understand the triad as non-agentive; define liṅga (subtle body) as apanchikrita elements and their products for self-inquiry.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Viśva (Cosmic-identified) and Liṅga (Subtle Body) from Apanchikrita Bhutas","lookup_keywords":["visva","abhimani","triad-non-agentive","linga-sharira","apanchikrita-bhuta"],"quick_summary":"Viśva denotes the one identifying with the totality; the mentioned triad is non-agentive; the subtle body (liṅga) is defined as the unquintuplicated elements and their derivatives—supporting precise Vedantic taxonomy."}
Concept: Non-agency of the enumerated triad; viśva as identification with the whole; liṅga as subtle-body complex rooted in apanchikrita elements and their effects.
Application: Shift from ‘I am the doer’ to analysis of instruments (liṅga) and identifications (viśva), enabling detachment and steadier meditation.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Vedanta / Tattva-nirupana (Subtle-body and cosmological categories)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A three-layer schematic: (1) a figure labeled viśva identifying with a cosmic panorama, (2) a triad shown as inert instruments, (3) a subtle-body (liṅga) made of fine elemental icons (tanmatra-like) surrounding a luminous Self.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: cosmic landscape wrapped around a human silhouette (viśva-abhimana); below, three inert emblems (triad) shown as unmoving; subtle body as delicate colored elemental petals; sacred, didactic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate cosmic oval with gold; viśva figure with gold crown-like aura; triad as three embossed symbols; liṅga as a fine gold filigree sheath of subtle elements around the inner light.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional chart with three registers; viśva as macrocosm-identification; triad as non-agentive tools; liṅga as subtle-element network; precise linework and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: philosopher teaching students with a painted diagram: a man seeing himself as the world; three inert icons on a tray; a translucent subtle-body overlay; refined borders and muted tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विश्वः तत्-अभिमानी → विश्वस्तदभिमानी (visarga sandhi); त्रयम् एतत् → त्रयमेतत्; लिङ्गम् उच्यते → लिङ्गमुच्यते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 376.9; Agni Purana 376.11; Agni Purana 376.13
FAQs
It gives technical metaphysical definitions: the ‘viśva’ identification and the definition of liṅga-śarīra as arising from the subtle (apañcīkṛta) elements and their effects, clarifying how the transmigrating subtle body is constituted.
Beyond ritual and devotion, the Agni Purana also preserves systematic category-analysis (tattva-nirūpaṇa) akin to Sāṅkhya/Vedānta—here explaining subtle elements, agency, and the liṅga-śarīra—showing its wide-ranging, encyclopedia-like scope.
By distinguishing the non-agentive triad and identifying the subtle body as a product of subtle elements, the verse supports dis-identification from doership and embodiment—key for reducing karmic bondage and progressing toward liberation-oriented insight.