Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 37
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
गुणा वर्तन्त इत्य् एव यो ऽवतिष्ठति नेङ्गते मानावमानमित्रारितुल्यस्त्यागी स निर्गुणः
guṇā vartanta ity eva yo 'vatiṣṭhati neṅgate mānāvamānamitrāritulyastyāgī sa nirguṇaḥ
‘गुणा एव वर्तन्ते’ इति यः स्थितः न विचलति; मानावमानयोः मित्रार्योः समदर्शी, त्यागी च—स एव निर्गुणः।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Sannyasa-yoga","practical_application":"Cultivates equanimity and renunciation by shifting identity from guṇa-driven reactions to witnessing awareness; supports steadiness amid praise/blame and social conflict.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nirguṇa-lakṣaṇa: equanimous renouncer established in guṇa-viveka","lookup_keywords":["nirguṇa","guṇa-viveka","mānāpamāna-samatā","mitra-ari-samatā","tyāga"],"quick_summary":"One who knows ‘only the guṇas act,’ remains unmoved, treats honor/dishonor and friend/enemy alike, and lives in renunciation is described as nirguṇa (beyond guṇas)."}
Concept: Guṇa-kartṛtva-vāda (agency belongs to guṇas/prakṛti) leading to non-reactivity; nirguṇatva is expressed as equanimity and renunciation.
Application: Practice ‘guṇāḥ vartante’ reflection during triggers (praise/blame, conflict): pause, label the arising guṇa, respond from dharma rather than ego; adopt simple living and reduced possessiveness.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Sannyasa-yoga (Nirguna-lakshana; Guna-traya-viveka)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene renouncer sits unmoving while scenes of praise and insult, friend and enemy, swirl around; above, subtle symbols of the three guṇas turning like a wheel, indicating ‘guṇas operate.’","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central ascetic in dhyāna with calm face, surrounding vignettes of garlanding (honor) and jeering (dishonor), friend and foe mirrored, a triguṇa wheel motif overhead, saturated reds/greens with strong outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ascetic with gold halo seated on tiger-skin, symmetrical panels showing honor/dishonor and friend/enemy, ornate gold work emphasizing stillness amid contrast, temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition with balanced symmetry, labels for māna/apamāna and mitra/ari, soft colors, emphasis on the steady posture and composed gaze of the tyāgī","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a courtyard while two groups approach—one offering gifts, one threatening—yet he remains poised; fine detailing of expressions, muted palette, philosophical allegory"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्येव = इति + एव; योऽवतिष्ठति = यः + अवतिष्ठति; नेङ्गते = न + इङ्गते; मानावमानमित्रारितुल्यस्त्यागी = मान + अवमान + मित्र + अरि + तुल्यः + त्यागी (समास/संयोग)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380 (Nirguṇa-lakṣaṇa; guṇa-traya-viveka)
FAQs
It imparts sāṅkhya-yogic discernment: recognizing that actions and experiences arise from the guṇas, enabling steadiness and renunciation rather than ritual procedure.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves mokṣa-śāstra: concise yogic criteria for liberation (equanimity and guṇa-viveka), showing its wide-ranging, encyclopedic scope.
Seeing the guṇas as the agents dissolves ego-doership; equanimity toward praise/blame and friend/enemy reduces karmic binding and supports liberation-oriented renunciation.