Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 21
Chapter 381 — यमगीता
Yama-gītā
ध्यानैर् व्रतैः पूजया च धर्मश्रुत्या तदाप्नुयात् आत्मानं रथिनं विद्धि शरीरं रथमेव तु
dhyānair vrataiḥ pūjayā ca dharmaśrutyā tadāpnuyāt ātmānaṃ rathinaṃ viddhi śarīraṃ rathameva tu
Por meditação, votos (vrata), culto e pela escuta do dharma, alcança-se Isso. Sabe que o Si é o cocheiro (o que monta), e que o corpo é, de fato, o carro.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Integrate a fourfold sādhanā (dhyāna, vrata, pūjā, dharma-śravaṇa) and apply the chariot model to discipline body-mind as instruments under the Self’s governance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sadhana and the Chariot Metaphor (Self as Rider, Body as Chariot)","lookup_keywords":["dhyāna","vrata","pūjā","dharma-śravaṇa","ratha-ātman"],"quick_summary":"Attainment is supported by meditation, vows, worship, and hearing dharma; the Self should be known as the rider/charioteer and the body as the chariot—an instruction for self-mastery."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (metaphor)
Concept: Adhyātma-niyamanam: the Self governs the embodied instrument; disciplined practices (dhyāna, vrata, pūjā, śravaṇa) lead to realization/attainment.
Application: Daily regimen: fixed meditation time, periodic vows (fasting/restraint), simple worship, and regular listening/reading of dharma; reflect ‘I am the rider, body is the vehicle’ to curb impulsive habits.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Adhyatma (Self-knowledge and liberation teachings)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Vira (self-discipline)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher instructs a student: a chariot stands nearby symbolizing the body; a calm rider/charioteer symbolizes the Self; surrounding vignettes show meditation, vow observance, worship, and listening to scripture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: narrative panel with guru and śiṣya, stylized chariot as symbolic prop, side scenes of dhyāna, pūjā, vrata, dharma-śravaṇa, warm earthy tones and ornate borders, serene didactic mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central symbolic chariot with radiant inner Self motif, gold leaf highlights on halo and ornaments, flanking panels of meditation and worship, rich devotional palette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional art—guru pointing to chariot diagram, labeled elements implied (Self/body), additional small scenes of vrata and śravaṇa, fine lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: elegant chariot in a garden courtyard, scholar-teacher reading scripture to a student, inset scenes of meditation and temple worship, delicate detailing and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यानैर् = ध्यानैः (रेफ-सन्धि); तदाप्नुयात् = तत् + आप्नुयात्; रथमेव = रथम् + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 381.17 (antaryāmin in all hearts); Agni Purana 381.20 (external supports: dāna, tīrtha)
FAQs
It prescribes practical sādhanā—dhyāna (meditation), vrata (vowed discipline), pūjā (ritual worship), and dharma-śravaṇa (listening to scriptural instruction)—as means to attain the supreme goal, framed through an adhyātma model of Self and body.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also systematizes mokṣa-dharma: it catalogs spiritual disciplines and uses classical philosophical metaphors (Self/body as rider/chariot), showing its broad coverage from external rites to inner realization.
It teaches that disciplined practice and right listening purify karma and refine understanding, culminating in realization of the Self as the true agent/master, with the body treated as an instrument rather than one’s ultimate identity.