Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 22
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
सम्पूर्णमण्डलं व्योम्नि शिवकल्लोलपूर्णितं तथा हृत्कमले ध्यायेत्तन्मध्ये स्वतनुं स्मरेत् साधको विगतक्लेशो जायते धारणादिहिः
sampūrṇamaṇḍalaṃ vyomni śivakallolapūrṇitaṃ tathā hṛtkamale dhyāyettanmadhye svatanuṃ smaret sādhako vigatakleśo jāyate dhāraṇādihiḥ
Deve-se meditar no maṇḍala plenamente completo no céu interior, repleto das ondas impetuosas de Śiva; do mesmo modo, deve-se contemplá-lo no lótus do coração e, no seu centro, recordar (visualizar) a própria forma. Por esta dhāraṇā, o praticante torna-se livre de aflições aqui, nesta mesma vida.
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional mode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Antar-yāga/manasā-pūjā: placing a Śiva-filled maṇḍala in inner space and heart-lotus, then visualizing oneself within it to dissolve kleśas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Antar-vyoma maṇḍala-dhyāna with Śiva-kallola and self-form (svatanu-smaraṇa)","lookup_keywords":["antar-yāga","hṛt-kamala","Śiva-kallola","inner maṇḍala","kleśa-nāśa"],"quick_summary":"Meditate on a complete maṇḍala in the inner sky, suffused with Śiva’s surging waves; replicate it in the heart-lotus and place one’s own form within—this dhāraṇā is said to remove afflictions in this life."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (metaphoric identification of inner space as ‘vyoma’ holding a maṇḍala)
Concept: Kleśa-kṣaya through internal worship: the locus shifts from external altar to inner sky and heart; self is re-situated within a Śiva-suffused totality.
Application: Practice daily: establish the maṇḍala in inner space, then in the heart; finally ‘seat’ yourself in the center—use this sequence to interrupt anxiety/rumination and restore composure.
Khanda Section: Yoga-Dharana & Tantric Dhyana (Antar-yaga, Manasa-puja)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin visualizes a luminous maṇḍala in the inner sky and again within the heart-lotus; within the heart-maṇḍala, the yogin’s subtle form sits, while Śiva-like waves of consciousness surge throughout.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal yogin with stylized chest-lotus opened; inside, a circular maṇḍala filled with rhythmic wave motifs symbolizing Śiva-kallola, limited palette with strong outlines, sacred symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heart-lotus rendered as ornate medallion with gold embossing; within it a maṇḍala of concentric rings and wave patterns, central seated subtle figure, radiant halo effects","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic: two panels—inner sky maṇḍala above, heart-lotus maṇḍala within chest; fine linework, gentle colors, clear instructional sequencing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meditating ascetic in a quiet interior; artistically depicted ‘cutaway’ heart showing lotus and maṇḍala with wave motifs, delicate detailing, restrained luminous washes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यायेत्तन्मध्ये = ध्यायेत् + तन्मध्ये; धारणादिहिः appears textually irregular; likely intended धारणादिभिः (instrumental plural) or धारणादिः (nominative).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 374 (Dhāraṇā: progressive internal placements); Agni Purana 375.1 (definition of samādhi as Self-only shining)
FAQs
It teaches a dhāraṇā-based visualization: meditate on a complete maṇḍala in the inner space (vyoman), saturated with Śiva-consciousness, then place the same contemplation in the heart-lotus and visualize oneself within its center.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied yogic–tantric technique (dhyāna/dhāraṇā, inner maṇḍala, heart-lotus contemplation), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical sādhanā instructions alongside many other sciences and arts.
The text states a direct fruit (phala): through sustained dhāraṇā the sādhaka becomes vigata-kleśa—freed from afflictions and obstacles—here and now, indicating purification and stabilizing of consciousness.