Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 22
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
इच्छा द्वेषः सुखं दुःखं सङ्घातश्चेतना धृतिः एतत्क्षेत्रं समासेन सविकारमुदाहृतं
icchā dveṣaḥ sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ saṅghātaścetanā dhṛtiḥ etatkṣetraṃ samāsena savikāramudāhṛtaṃ
இச்சை, த்வேஷம், சுகம், துக்கம், சங்காதம் (உடல்-இந்திரியக் கூட்டம்), சேதனை, த்ருதி—இவை சுருக்கமாக விகாரங்களுடன் கூடிய க்ஷேத்ரம் என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Sage Vasiṣṭha, consistent with Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Identify emotions and mental states (desire, aversion, pleasure, pain, etc.) as kṣetra-modifications to reduce reactivity and strengthen witness-awareness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kṣetra as Vikaras: Icchā, Dveṣa, Sukha, Duḥkha, Saṅghāta, Cetanā, Dhṛti","lookup_keywords":["icchā","dveṣa","sukha-duḥkha","cetanā","dhṛti"],"quick_summary":"The ‘field’ includes not only the body but also its psychological modifications—desire, aversion, pleasure, pain, the psycho-physical aggregate, consciousness-as-function, and resolve. Seeing them as objects aids detachment."}
Concept: Mental-emotional states and even functional ‘cetanā’ and ‘dhṛti’ belong to kṣetra as vikaras (modifications), not to the pure knower.
Application: When desire/aversion arises, label it ‘kṣetra-vikāra’; return to witnessing. Use dhṛti (steadfastness) as a cultivated function to sustain practice without ego-appropriation.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Yoga / Kshetra-Kshetrajna (Philosophical Analysis of Body–Mind Constituents)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditating practitioner watches thought-waves labeled desire, aversion, pleasure, pain; behind them a steady lamp symbolizes dhṛti; the witness remains untouched.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: seated yogin, stylized waves emerging from the head with labels icchā/dveṣa/sukha/duḥkha; a steady oil-lamp motif for dhṛti; warm earthy palette, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central yogin with gold halo; surrounding embossed medallions for each vikāra; a gold lamp at the base signifying steadfastness; rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined instructional scene—yogin in padmāsana, translucent thought-bubbles labeled; calm background, fine linework emphasizing observation practice.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: a saint in a garden pavilion; delicate cloud-like cartouches for emotions; a small lamp and rosary indicating discipline; detailed flora and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सङ्घातः चेतना → सङ्घातश्चेतना; एतत् क्षेत्रम् → एतत्क्षेत्रम्; सविकारम् उदाहृतम् → सविकारमुदाहृतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380.20 (definition of kṣetrajña); Agni Purana 380.23-24 (virtues and dispassion)
FAQs
It imparts kṣetra-vidyā: a technical enumeration of the embodied ‘field’ (body–mind complex) via its key psychological and functional factors—desire, aversion, pleasure, pain, the psycho-physical aggregate, consciousness, and steadfastness—used for discriminative analysis in Sāṅkhya–Yoga practice.
Beyond rituals and worship, the Agni Purāṇa compiles systematic philosophical taxonomies; this verse functions like a concise doctrinal glossary entry defining kṣetra and its vikāras, aligning Purāṇic teaching with classical Sāṅkhya/Yoga-style categories for self-study and instruction.
By recognizing these factors as constituents/modifications of kṣetra, a practitioner reduces identification with fluctuating states (desire, aversion, pleasure, pain) and cultivates steadiness (dhṛti), supporting detachment, clearer discernment, and more sattvic karma.