Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 56
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
निदाघ उवाच भो विप्र जनसंवादो महानेष नरेश्वर प्रविवीक्ष्य पुरं रम्यं तेनात्र स्थीयते मया
nidāgha uvāca bho vipra janasaṃvādo mahāneṣa nareśvara pravivīkṣya puraṃ ramyaṃ tenātra sthīyate mayā
Nidāgha disse: «Ó brāhmana, ó senhor dos homens, esta é uma grande assembleia pública e uma conversação de grande vulto. Tendo vindo para ver esta cidade encantadora, aqui permaneço por essa mesma razão».
Nidāgha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Understanding civic life (pura-darśana), public assemblies, and how discourse functions as a marker of urban polity and social order.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jana-saṃvāda in a City (Pura)","lookup_keywords":["jana-saṃvāda","pura-darśana","nagara-jīvana","sabha","rājadharma"],"quick_summary":"Public gathering and civic conversation are presented as notable features of a well-ordered city; the observer stays to witness urban discourse and governance in action."}
Alamkara Type: Vakrokti (dialogic framing)
Concept: Social reality is known through observation of public life (saṃvāda, sabhā, and civic conduct).
Application: Use public forums and assemblies to gauge governance quality, social harmony, and the king’s presence/authority.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Niti-shastra (Kingship, civic life, public discourse)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned ascetic (Nidāgha) stands at the edge of a bustling, pleasant city, watching a large public gathering engaged in civic discussion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, wide city gate and street scene, ascetic brahmin with kamaṇḍalu observing a sabhā-like crowd, earthy reds and ochres, stylized faces, narrative composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate city backdrop with architectural arches, central figure of a calm sage, surrounding citizens in orderly groups, rich textiles, gold leaf highlights on city ornaments","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed urban vignette with labeled civic groups, sage pointing toward assembly, soft shading, emphasis on didactic clarity and social order","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic bazaar-street and public assembly, fine linework, pastel palette, sage in simple robes contrasting with urban elites, inscription cartouches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महानेष = महान् + एषः; तेनात्र = तेन + अत्र.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 379 (Rajadharma/Nīti dialogue sequence)
FAQs
This verse conveys niti-oriented civic observation: the value of witnessing a city’s public life (janasamvāda) as a practical way to understand social conditions and governance.
Beyond theology, it records a slice of civic and political culture—how cities, rulers, and public assemblies function—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance and social dynamics alongside ritual and doctrine.
It implicitly affirms dharmic attentiveness: observing society and leadership with discernment supports righteous conduct (dharma) and helps a ruler or learned person act beneficially, reducing harm and accruing merit through wise action.