Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 26
Chapter 378: Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
यमैः सन्नियमैः स्थित्या प्रत्याहृत्या मरुज्जयैः प्राणायामेन पवनैः प्रत्याहारेण चेन्द्रियैः
yamaiḥ sanniyamaiḥ sthityā pratyāhṛtyā marujjayaiḥ prāṇāyāmena pavanaiḥ pratyāhāreṇa cendriyaiḥ
यमैः सन्नियमैः स्थित्या प्रत्याहृत्या मरुज्जयैः। प्राणायामेन पवनैः प्रत्याहारेण चेन्द्रियैः॥
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Follow the practical sequence of yogic discipline—yama, niyama, asana-sthairya, pratyahriti/pratyahara, marut-jaya, and pranayama—to restrain senses and steady the mind.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Foundational Means of Yoga: Yama–Niyama–Asana–Pranayama–Pratyahara","lookup_keywords":["yama","niyama","asana-sthairya","pranayama","pratyahara"],"quick_summary":"Yoga practice is supported by ethical restraints and observances, steady posture, breath regulation and mastery of vital currents, culminating in sense-restraint (pratyahara) that prepares for meditation."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Mind-control is approached through a structured discipline: ethics, posture, breath, and sense-withdrawal.
Application: Adopt a daily routine: yama/niyama as behavioral foundation, sit steadily, practice gentle pranayama, then consciously withdraw senses before meditation.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Ashtanga-yoga and Sadhana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogic practitioner progresses through ethical vows, steady posture, breath regulation, and sense-withdrawal; prana currents are depicted as controlled winds within the body.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sequential vignette panels around a central yogin: yama/niyama symbols (water pot, truth lamp), asana on a mat, stylized winds (marut) as flowing ribbons entering and settling, senses shown as subdued deer/elephant motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yogin with gold halo, surrounding small medallions labeled yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, gold-leaf accents on prana channels, rich ornamental borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like composition: posture alignment, breath-count marks, arrows showing inhalation/exhalation/retention, then senses turning inward; fine lines and soft colors for clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like precision: yogin seated in a garden pavilion, a teacher indicating breath rhythm with fingers, subtle translucent lines showing breath flow, attendants and distractions kept outside the pavilion to signify pratyahara"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत् + नियमैः → सन्नियमैः; मरुत् + जयैः → मरुज्जयैः; च + इन्द्रियैः → चेन्द्रियैः. ‘प्रत्याहृत्या’ पाठः ‘प्रत्याहृत्य’ (क्त्वा) इत्यर्थे साधारणः; अत्र तृतीया-प्रयोगवत् साधनत्वेन निर्दिष्टम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 378.23 (withdrawal from objects); Agni Purana 378.25 (samadhi leading to Brahman); Agni Purana 378.27 (support for dhyana)
FAQs
It teaches core yoga-sādhana components—yama and niyama (ethical disciplines), steadiness (āsana-sthairya), pratyāhāra (withdrawal of senses), and prāṇāyāma (regulated breath) culminating in control of the indriyas.
Alongside rituals, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies practical yoga methodology; this verse compresses multiple technical limbs of yoga into a procedural checklist for inner discipline, showing its wide-ranging, encyclopedic scope.
By mastering breath and senses through ethical restraints and pratyāhāra, the practitioner reduces mental agitation and karmic impulses, creating the purity and stability required for higher meditation and liberating insight.