Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 30
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासं सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितम् असक्तं सर्वभृच्चैव निर्गुणं गुणभोक्तृ च
sarvendriyaguṇābhāsaṃ sarvendriyavivarjitam asaktaṃ sarvabhṛccaiva nirguṇaṃ guṇabhoktṛ ca
सः सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासोऽपि सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितः। असक्तः सर्वभृच्चैव निर्गुणो गुणभोक्तृ च॥
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vedanta","practical_application":"Neti-neti style contemplation to reconcile apparent sensory qualities with the attributeless Brahman; supports nirguna-saguna synthesis in meditation and teaching.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Brahman as Nirguna yet Guṇa-bhoktṛ (Apparent Experiencer)","lookup_keywords":["nirguna","asakta","sarvabhrit","indriya-guna-abhasa","guna-bhoktr"],"quick_summary":"Defines Brahman as appearing through all sensory qualities while remaining sense-free and unattached. Useful as a meditation cue to avoid reifying attributes while acknowledging lived experience."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (apparent contradiction)
Concept: Brahman is attributeless and unattached, yet appears as the field of qualities and their experiencer without undergoing change.
Application: In dhyana, witness sensory qualities as appearances in consciousness; rest as asanga (non-attached) awareness while performing duties.
Khanda Section: Moksha-jnana / Brahma-lakshana (Philosophical-Theological Section)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formless luminous presence pervading the senses: eyes, ears, skin, tongue, nose shown as subtle lotuses, while the central Brahman remains unbound and attribute-free, supporting all beings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural, central abstract golden aura (Brahman) behind a seated yogin, five sense-lotus motifs orbiting yet not touching, muted earth reds and greens, sacred calm, minimal narrative, traditional ornament borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, thick gold leaf halo representing nirguna Brahman, a meditating sage in front, embossed gold for the five sense symbols, rich maroon background, jewel-like highlights, devotional serenity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: labeled sense-icons (sparsha, rupa, rasa, gandha, shabda) fading into a clear central light, fine linework, soft pastel washes, emphasis on detachment (asakta) posture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, philosophical allegory: courtly scholar contemplating a luminous void above a diagram of senses and qualities, delicate floral margins, restrained palette, subtle chiaroscuro to show ‘appearance without contact’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वभृच्चैव = सर्वभृत् + च + एव; सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासं = सर्व + इन्द्रिय + गुण + आभासम्; सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितम् = सर्व + इन्द्रिय + विवर्जितम्; गुणभोक्तृ च = गुणभोक्तृ + च
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380.31; Agni Purana 380.33; Agni Purana 381 (Jnana/Moksha themes, if continued)
FAQs
This verse imparts Brahma-vidyā: a technical Vedāntic definition of the Supreme as transcending the senses (indriya-rahita) while being the ground in which sensory qualities appear, guiding contemplative discernment (viveka) rather than ritual procedure.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves compact theological-phenomenological definitions of Brahman—showing its encyclopedic scope by integrating mokṣa-śāstra (liberation doctrine) with other knowledge systems.
Meditating on the Supreme as unattached, nirguṇa, and the inner experiencer reduces identification with sense-objects and guṇas, supporting detachment (vairāgya) and purification of mind—key conditions for liberation-oriented insight.