Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 21
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
संपूर्णेन्दुनिभं ध्यायेत् कमलं तन्त्रिमुष्टिगम् शिरःस्थं चिन्तयेद् यत्नाच्छशाङ्कायुतवर्चसं
saṃpūrṇendunibhaṃ dhyāyet kamalaṃ tantrimuṣṭigam śiraḥsthaṃ cintayed yatnācchaśāṅkāyutavarcasaṃ
முழுநிலவை ஒத்த தாமரையைத் தியானிக்க வேண்டும்; அதன் கர்ணிகை யாழின் முடிச்சைப் போன்றதாக இருக்க வேண்டும். அதைத் தலைப்பகுதியில் இருப்பதாக முயன்று எண்ணி, கோடி நிலவுகள்போல் ஒளிர்வதாகக் கருத வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Head-centered dhyāna using a lunar lotus visualization to induce clarity, cooling steadiness, and one-pointedness for subsequent dhāraṇā/samādhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śiras-stha candra-kamala-dhyāna (full-moon lotus in the head)","lookup_keywords":["śirastha lotus","full moon lotus","tāntrika dhyāna","mūṣṭi pericarp","ten million moons"],"quick_summary":"Visualize a full-moon-like lotus in the head, with a pericarp shaped like a lute-knob, blazing with immense lunar radiance; this is a concentrative template for yogic absorption."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Ālambana (support) for ekāgratā: a precise inner form placed at the cranial locus to refine awareness.
Application: Use the ‘moon-lotus’ as a stable mental object; when distraction arises, return to the lotus’ shape and radiance until attention becomes continuous.
Khanda Section: Yoga–Dhyana–Tantra (Meditative visualization of lotuses and lunar radiance)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An inner-vision scene: a radiant full-moon lotus seated at the crown/head region, with a distinctive lute-knob-like pericarp, flooding the subtle body with moonlight.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized yogin in padmāsana, transparent head halo showing a white lotus like a full moon, concentric radiance bands, minimal background, sacred geometry accents","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central yogin with large circular moon-halo, embossed gold rays, white lotus at the crown with ornate pericarp detail, jewel-toned borders, devotional luminosity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic yet elegant: yogin profile with crown-lotus rendered clearly, soft gradients for lunar glow, fine linework for petals and pericarp, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined portrait of a meditating ascetic; translucent aureole reveals a moon-like lotus above the head, delicate wash of silver-white light, intricate floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संपूर्णेन्दुनिभम् = संपूर्ण + इन्दु + निभम्; यत्नाच्छशाङ्कायुतवर्चसम् = यत्नात् + शशाङ्कायुतवर्चसम् (त् + श → च्छ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 374 (Dhāraṇā: inner visualizations); Agni Purana 375.2 (steadiness metaphor: windless flame)
FAQs
It teaches a precise dhyāna-technique: visualizing a full-moon-like lotus with a rounded central core, located in the head, and intensifying its brilliance—an instruction typical of subtle-body (antar-dhyāna) practice.
Alongside rituals, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves practical yogic/tantric meditation protocols—here, a structured visualization method—showing its wide, compendious coverage of applied spiritual disciplines.
Contemplating the head-lotus as intensely luminous is presented as a means to refine inner awareness, purify mental fluctuations, and elevate consciousness toward higher realization through sustained, disciplined meditation.