Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 26
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
ध्यायेज्जपेच्च सततमोङ्कारं परमक्षरं मनःस्थित्यर्थमिच्छान्ति स्थूलध्यानमनुक्रमात्
dhyāyejjapecca satatamoṅkāraṃ paramakṣaraṃ manaḥsthityarthamicchānti sthūladhyānamanukramāt
Deve-se meditar e repetir continuamente o Oṃkāra, a sílaba suprema e imperecível. Buscando a estabilidade da mente, avança-se gradualmente na contemplação, começando pela meditação do aspecto grosseiro (com suporte).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Yoga","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily practice protocol: continuous japa and dhyāna of Oṃ to stabilize the mind, progressing from gross support-based meditation to subtler absorption.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Oṅkāra-japa with krama (from sthūla-dhyāna to steadiness of mind)","lookup_keywords":["Omkara japa","parama akṣara","manas-sthairya","sthūla dhyāna","krama"],"quick_summary":"Repeat and contemplate Oṃ constantly as the imperishable syllable; for mental steadiness, proceed gradually—starting with a gross, supported visualization and refining toward subtle meditation."}
Concept: Krama (graduated practice) in mantra-yoga: the mind is steadied by sustained japa and progressively subtler dhyāna.
Application: Set a fixed daily japa count/time; begin with a clear mental support (form/light/syllable), then reduce imagery as attention stabilizes.
Khanda Section: Yoga and Dhyāna (Praṇava–Upāsanā / Mantra-japa and Meditation Practice)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated in meditation, counting japa beads, with a subtle progression shown from a gross Oṃ-form visualization to a faint, formless inner stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogi with mālā, three-panel progression: bright Oṃ symbol, then softer glow, then serene empty radiance; earthy palette, temple-wall aesthetic.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, meditating figure with mālā, gold-highlighted Oṃ above, background transitioning from ornate to minimal to suggest refinement, devotional sheen.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional sequence layout, clear depiction of japa posture and breath rhythm cues through visual motifs, gentle colors, precise lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-yogi in a quiet chamber, rosary in hand, faint calligraphic Oṃ in the air, subtle gradation of light indicating stages."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यायेज्जपेच्च = ध्यायेत् जपेत् च; सततमोङ्कारं = सततम् ओङ्कारम्; परमक्षरं = परम-अक्षरम्; मनःस्थित्यर्थम् = मनः-स्थिति-अर्थम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373.24; Agni Purana 373.25; Agni Purana 373.27
FAQs
It teaches Praṇava–upāsanā: continuous japa and dhyāna of Oṃ as the paramākṣara, using a graded method—starting with sthūla (support-based) meditation to stabilize the mind.
Alongside ritual, law, and other sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves practical yoga methodology—mantra-japa, meditation sequencing (anukrama), and mind-training—showing its broad, multi-disciplinary scope.
Constant contemplation of Oṃ is presented as a direct means to steadiness and purification of the mind, supporting deeper meditation and inner realization by moving from gross supports toward subtler absorption.