Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 3
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
कालावधि परिच्छिन्नं देहे संस्थापितं मनः न प्रच्यवति यल्लक्ष्याद्धारणा साभिधीयते
kālāvadhi paricchinnaṃ dehe saṃsthāpitaṃ manaḥ na pracyavati yallakṣyāddhāraṇā sābhidhīyate
कालावधिपरिच्छिन्नं देहे संस्थापितं मनो यल्लक्ष्याद् न प्रच्यवति, सा धारणा इति अभिधीयते।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Internal-body concentration: fix mind in a bodily locus (heart, brow, navel) for a defined time without slipping from the target.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dhāraṇā as Time-Bound Internal Fixation (Deha-ādhāra)","lookup_keywords":["deha","lakṣya","kālāvadhi","dhāraṇā","antar-ālambana"],"quick_summary":"Dhāraṇā is defined as the mind established within the body for a delimited time, not deviating from its intended object. The emphasis is on internal anchoring and temporal measure."}
Concept: Antar-ālambana dhāraṇā: sustained non-deviation of mind from a chosen internal lakṣya, bounded by time.
Application: Select an internal locus (hṛdaya, bhrūmadhya, nābhi) and a lakṣya (mantra sound, light, deity presence). Hold for a fixed count; if attention slips, restart the count to cultivate continuity.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Dharana–Samadhi Lakshana)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Meditator with subtle internal diagram: heart-lotus or brow center glowing; a time-wheel or beads indicating ‘kālāvadhi’; the mind shown as a steady flame inside the body silhouette.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated yogi with semi-transparent torso showing a lotus at heart/brow; glowing inner flame; ornate border; subdued temple interior; emphasis on inner light.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted inner lotus within the yogi’s chest; rich reds and greens; gold halo; beads/time motif around the figure.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: clean anatomical-lotus schematic overlay on meditating figure; labels for loci; gentle colors; clear didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, saint in meditation; faint luminous heart-lotus indicated with delicate wash; a small hourglass/time-disc near him; refined interior details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kālāvadhi = kāla+avadhi (tatpuruṣa); yallakṣyād = yat+lakṣyāt; sābhidhīyate = sā+abhidhīyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: time-measure hierarchy dhāraṇā–dhyāna–samādhi (374.4)
FAQs
It gives the technical definition of dhāraṇā: holding the mind steadily on a chosen object (lakṣya) for a specified duration without deviation—an applied method of yogic concentration.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies yoga terminology. This verse functions like a concise yogic manual entry, defining a core limb of meditative practice with operational criteria (time-bound steadiness and non-deviation).
Sustained non-wavering focus purifies mental fluctuations and stabilizes inner awareness, preparing the practitioner for deeper meditative absorption (dhyāna/samādhi) and thereby supporting liberation-oriented discipline.