Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 7
Chapter 378: Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
तत्प्राप्तिहेतुर्ज्ञानञ्च कर्म चोक्तं महामुने आगमोक्तं विवेकाच्च द्विधा ज्ञानं तथोच्यते
tatprāptiheturjñānañca karma coktaṃ mahāmune āgamoktaṃ vivekācca dvidhā jñānaṃ tathocyate
ਹੇ ਮਹਾਮੁਨੀ, ਉਸ ਤੱਤ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ ਦੇ ਹੇਤੂ ਵਜੋਂ ਗਿਆਨ ਅਤੇ ਕਰਮ—ਦੋਵੇਂ ਕਹੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ। ਅਤੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਵੀ ਦੋ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਰ ਦਾ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ—ਆਗਮ (ਸ਼ਾਸਤਰ) ਦੁਆਰਾ ਉਪਦੇਸ਼ਿਤ ਅਤੇ ਵਿਵੇਕ ਤੋਂ ਉਤਪੰਨ।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Gives a practical roadmap: attainment requires both jnana and karma (as appropriate), and clarifies two sources of knowledge—scriptural instruction and personal discriminative insight—useful for structuring study and practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Means to attainment: jnana and karma; twofold jnana—agama and viveka","lookup_keywords":["jnana","karma","agama-jnana","viveka-jnana","sadhana-marga"],"quick_summary":"Attainment is supported by both knowledge and action. Knowledge is classified into scripturally taught (agama) and that born of discernment (viveka), encouraging balanced practice."}
Concept: Sadhana-samyoga: jnana and karma as joint/compatible means (context-sensitive); jnana-dvaya—agama (revealed/scriptural) and viveka (discriminative realization).
Application: Create a two-track regimen: (1) agama—systematic study with teacher and śāstra; (2) viveka—daily inquiry and reflection; maintain karma as purificatory duty (nishkama) until steadiness in knowledge matures.
Khanda Section: Moksha-shastra (Jnana–Karma synthesis and means to attainment)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage instructs a disciple with two paths shown as parallel streams: one labeled ‘Agama’ with scriptures and teacher, the other ‘Viveka’ with a meditating figure; both converge into a single summit labeled ‘Tat-prapti’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru-disciple scene, two flowing bands from palm-leaf manuscripts (agama) and from a meditating yogin (viveka) merging into a radiant peak, warm pigments and clear symbolic labeling.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central radiant ‘Tat’ symbol or Vishnu-emblem, two gold-highlighted pathways leading in—one with scripture bundle, one with lotus of discernment—ornate frame emphasizing synthesis.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic chart-like painting: bifurcation of jnana into agama/viveka, plus karma as supporting base (ritual implements), neat composition and fine outlines for instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly setting with teacher and student, manuscripts on a low desk, a side vignette of the student meditating, both scenes connected by a painted ribbon leading to a luminous horizon."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kharaharapriya","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्प्राप्तिहेतुर्ज्ञानञ्च = तत्प्राप्तिहेतुः + ज्ञानम् + च; कर्म चोक्तं = कर्म + च + उक्तम्; आगमोक्तं = आगम + उक्तम्; विवेकाच्च = विवेकात् + च; तथोच्यते = तथा + उच्यते
Related Themes: Agni Purana Moksha-dharma discussions on karma-yoga and jnana-yoga integration; Agni Purana Vedanta/tattva-nirnaya passages defining viveka and the role of scripture
FAQs
It defines the practical means to the goal: both jñāna (liberating knowledge) and karma (prescribed action), and it classifies jñāna into āgama-based (scriptural) and viveka-based (discernment).
By systematizing soteriology: it catalogs pathways (knowledge and action) and sub-types of knowledge (scripture vs. discernment), reflecting the Purana’s compendium-style organization of doctrines alongside other sciences.
It frames karma as a legitimate supportive means while emphasizing that liberation-oriented insight is two-sourced—grounded in authoritative teaching (āgama) and matured through inner discrimination (viveka).