Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 53
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
दग्धापरस्मिन् सन्दध्यान्निर्वाणे प्रकृतिन्नरः अविकारे समादध्यादीश्वरे प्रकृतिन्नरः
dagdhāparasmin sandadhyānnirvāṇe prakṛtinnaraḥ avikāre samādadhyādīśvare prakṛtinnaraḥ
‘పర’ అనగా బాహ్య విషయ-క్షేత్రము దగ్ధమైన తరువాత, మనుష్యుడు నిర్వాణావస్థలో ప్రకృతిపై ధ్యానాన్ని స్థిరపరచాలి. అవికారుడైన ఈశ్వరునందు కూడా ప్రకృతిని దృఢంగా నిలపాలి।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to sage Vasiṣṭha in the standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Meditative withdrawal: after ‘burning’ objective experience, stabilize contemplation on prakṛti within nirvāṇa and in the changeless Īśvara—used as a dhyāna instruction for liberation-oriented yoga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nirvāṇa-dhyāna: ‘burning the other’ and fixing contemplation on Prakṛti in Īśvara","lookup_keywords":["nirvana","prakriti","ishvara","sankhya-yoga","dhyana"],"quick_summary":"First negate/consume external objectivity (‘the other’); then hold steady contemplation on prakṛti as seen in nirvāṇa and as grounded in the changeless Lord."}
Concept: Viveka and laya: the objective field is ‘burnt’ (dagdha) by knowledge/absorption; contemplation rests on prakṛti as subordinated to the changeless Īśvara, pointing to liberation through steady dhyāna.
Application: In meditation, withdraw attention from sense-objects, dissolve their impressions, then maintain one-pointed awareness on the causal ground (prakṛti) while anchoring devotion/insight in the immutable Lord.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Sankhya-Yoga (Nirvana and Prakriti–Ishvara contemplation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in deep meditation; the outer world appears as ashes or fading forms; behind/within, a luminous, changeless Īśvara; prakṛti shown as a subtle veil or cosmic matrix held steady in contemplation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, serene yogin in padmāsana, outer sensory world dissolving into ash-gray motifs, luminous central deity-form of Īśvara behind, prakṛti as a patterned green-gold veil, lotus and flame symbolism, calm symmetrical framing","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold haloed Īśvara as immutable center, yogin before him, background objects rendered as dimmed silhouettes turning to ash, rich gold work emphasizing changelessness, minimal but iconic composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, soft gradients, contemplative yogin with subtle diagrammatic overlay: ‘dagdha-para’ as fading icons of senses, ‘prakṛti’ as translucent layer, ‘īśvara’ as steady light, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined landscape with fading worldly scene at margins, central meditating figure, ethereal luminous lordly presence, delicate smoke/ash motifs, fine detailing and subdued palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: sandadhyān → sandadhyāt (as per IAST sandadhyān- likely sandadhyāt); samādadhyādīśvare → samādadhyāt + īśvare.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (mokṣa-dharma / sāṃkhya-yoga thread)
FAQs
It teaches a meditative technique: after ‘burning’ attachment to the external/objective realm, one should concentrate steadily in nirvāṇa and contemplate Prakṛti as grounded in the changeless Īśvara.
Alongside ritual and worldly sciences, the Agni Purana preserves a compact mokṣa-śāstra layer—Sāṅkhya–Yoga style instructions on inner withdrawal, metaphysics (Prakṛti), and devotion/grounding in Īśvara.
By dissolving fixation on the ‘other’ and stabilizing awareness in the changeless Lord, the practitioner reduces karmic binding tendencies (saṅkalpa/āsakti) and moves toward liberation (nirvāṇa).