Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 1
Chapter 376 — ब्रह्मज्ञानम्
Knowledge of Brahman
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे समाधिर्नाम पञ्चसप्तत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ षट्सप्तत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः ब्रह्मज्ञानं अग्निर् उवाच ब्रह्मज्ञानं प्रवक्ष्यामि संसाराज्ञानमुक्तये अयमात्मा पर्ं ब्रह्म अहमस्मीति मुच्यते
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe samādhirnāma pañcasaptatyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha ṣaṭsaptatyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ brahmajñānaṃ agnir uvāca brahmajñānaṃ pravakṣyāmi saṃsārājñānamuktaye ayamātmā parṃ brahma ahamasmīti mucyate
இவ்வாறு ஆக்னேய மகாபுராணத்தில் ‘சமாதி’ எனும் 375ஆம் அத்தியாயம் நிறைவுற்றது. இப்போது 376ஆம் அத்தியாயம் ‘பிரம்மஞானம்’ தொடங்குகிறது. அக்னி கூறினார்—சம்சாரத்தைப் பிணைக்கும் அறியாமையிலிருந்து விடுதலை பெற பிரம்மஞானத்தை நான் விளக்குகிறேன். ‘இந்த ஆத்மா பரம்பிரம்மம்; நானே அது’ என்று அறிந்தால் விடுதலை கிடைக்கும்.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mahāvākya-style contemplation (‘aham brahma asmi’) for removing saṃsāra-avidyā and orienting practice toward mokṣa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Brahma-jñāna as the means to liberation (Aham Brahmāsmi)","lookup_keywords":["brahma-jñāna","saṃsāra-avidyā","aham brahmāsmi","mokṣa","Agni uvāca"],"quick_summary":"Agni introduces Brahman-knowledge as the direct remedy for ignorance; realizing the Self as supreme Brahman frees one from bondage."}
Concept: Brahma-vidyā (Self = supreme Brahman) destroys avidyā, the root of saṃsāra; liberation follows from firm realization.
Application: Practice śravaṇa–manana–nididhyāsana on the mahāvākya sense: negate limiting adjuncts and abide as witnessing consciousness.
Khanda Section: Jnana-Yoga / Moksha-shastra (Brahma-jñāna and Samādhi teachings)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Agni as teacher addressing sages, with a scroll-like chapter colophon motif; the phrase ‘aham brahmāsmi’ radiates as light above a meditating figure symbolizing liberation from ignorance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Agni-deva seated as guru with flaming aura, sages listening, stylized script motif ‘aham brahmāsmi’ in a luminous band, deep reds and golds, serene teaching hall.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Agni-deva with gold-embossed flames, sages in reverence, central medallion with ‘aham brahmāsmi’ in decorative calligraphy, rich gold work and temple-like framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean didactic scene: Agni instructing, a separate inset of a meditator with a halo labeled ‘ātma = brahman’, soft colors, emphasis on clarity and pedagogy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly assembly with Agni personified, manuscript colophon styling, delicate illumination around the words ‘aham brahmāsmi’, refined courtly palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् → इति; समाधिर्नाम → समाधिः नाम; त्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः → त्रिशततमः अध्यायः; अग्निर् उवाच → अग्निः उवाच; अयमात्मा → अयम् आत्मा; अहमस्मीति → अहम् अस्मि इति; (पर्ं) → परम् (पाठ-संशोधन/टाइपो-साम्येन).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 375 (Samādhi); Agni Purana 376 (Brahma-jñāna section continuing)
FAQs
Brahma-jñāna (knowledge of Brahman) is taught as a practical liberating insight: realizing the identity of the Self (Ātman) with the supreme Brahman—expressed as “I am That”—which removes saṃsāric ignorance.
It shows the Agni Purana’s range beyond ritual and worldly sciences by including mokṣa-śāstra: a concise Vedāntic doctrine of liberation, positioned alongside other systematic subjects across its many chapters.
The verse presents knowledge (jñāna) as the direct means to freedom: ignorance is the root bondage, and realizing one’s identity with Brahman is stated to immediately lead to liberation (mukti).