Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 26
Chapter 371 — Yama-Niyama and Praṇava-Upāsanā (Oṅkāra) as Brahma-vidyā
तत्तुरीयं परं ब्रह्म ज्योतिर्दीपो घटे यथा तथा हृत्पद्मनिलयं ध्यायेन्नित्यं जपेन्नरः
tatturīyaṃ paraṃ brahma jyotirdīpo ghaṭe yathā tathā hṛtpadmanilayaṃ dhyāyennityaṃ japennaraḥ
तत्तुरीयं परं ब्रह्म, घटान्तर्दीपज्योतिरिव। तथा हृत्पद्मनिलयं तद्ध्यायेन्नित्यं, जपेन्नरः॥
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue framework, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily Advaita-dhyana on turīya as inner light in the heart-lotus, supported by continuous japa to stabilize attention and dissolve identification with body-mind.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Turīya-Brahman Dhyāna with Heart-Lotus Japa","lookup_keywords":["turīya","hṛtpadma","dhyāna","japa","ghaṭadīpa-dṛṣṭānta"],"quick_summary":"Meditate on the Supreme Brahman as the inner light abiding in the heart-lotus, like lamp-light enclosed in a pot; maintain continuity through regular japa."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛṣṭānta (illustrative analogy)
Concept: Turīya as Paramabrahman realized inwardly as self-luminous consciousness in the heart-lotus; japa as a support for nididhyāsana.
Application: Use the ‘lamp-in-a-pot’ visualization to turn attention inward; pair meditation with steady mantra repetition to prevent distraction.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Advaita-dhyana and Japa instruction)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in padmāsana, eyes half-closed, visualizing a lotus in the heart with a steady flame-like radiance inside, like lamp-light enclosed within a pot; subtle aura indicating turīya.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, seated yogin in padmāsana, stylized heart-lotus opened on chest, golden inner flame-glow like lamp in a pot, deep earthy reds and greens, minimal background, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yogin with ornate halo, heart-lotus rendered with embossed gold, inner lamp-flame in gold leaf, rich maroons, decorative borders, devotional serenity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, instructional composition showing pot with lamp-light as inset diagram and yogin with heart-lotus glow, soft washes, clear didactic labels implied.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, contemplative ascetic in a quiet chamber, a clay pot with lamp nearby as visual metaphor, delicate shading, detailed textiles, subtle luminous heart area."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tatturīyam = tat + turīyam; jyotirdīpo = jyotiḥ + dīpaḥ; hṛtpadmanilayam treated as tatpuruṣa compound; dhyāyen/japen normalized to dhyāyet/japet (vidhiliṅ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 371 (Yoga-vidyā: dhyāna/japa context); Agni Purana sections on mokṣa-dharma and pranava-upāsanā (adjacent verses 371.27–30)
FAQs
It teaches Yoga-vidyā: meditate on the turīya (the non-dual Supreme Brahman) as the inner light abiding in the heart-lotus, and sustain the practice through continual japa.
Alongside ritual, temple, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves concise Upaniṣadic-style contemplative methods—here, a practical Advaita-oriented meditation model using the lamp-in-a-pot analogy and heart-lotus visualization with japa.
Regular dhyāna and japa centered on the inner Brahman are presented as purifying and liberative disciplines, directing the practitioner from external rites to direct realization of the Self as turīya.