Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 3
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
ध्येयालम्बनसंस्थस्य सदृशप्रत्ययस्य च प्रत्यान्तरनिर्मुक्तः प्रत्ययो ध्यानमुच्यते
dhyeyālambanasaṃsthasya sadṛśapratyayasya ca pratyāntaranirmuktaḥ pratyayo dhyānamucyate
ధ్యేయవస్తువు అనే ఆలంబనపై స్థిరంగా నిలిచిన, ఒకే రీతిగా ప్రవహించే, మధ్యలో కలిగే విఘ్నకర ఇతర జ్ఞానాల నుండి విముక్తమైన ఆ మానసిక ప్రత్యయమే ‘ధ్యానం’ అని చెప్పబడుతుంది।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Train dhyāna as a continuous, uniform cognition anchored to a chosen object (ālambana), minimizing ‘intervening thoughts’ by gentle return and single-threaded attention.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dhyāna as Uniform Cognition on an Ālambana, Free from Intervening Thoughts","lookup_keywords":["dhyāna","ālambana","sadṛśa-pratyaya","pratyantara","ekatānatā"],"quick_summary":"Meditation is a steady mental flow resting on its support-object, maintaining sameness of content. Its hallmark is freedom from interrupting cognitions—thoughts that break the stream."}
Concept: Ekatānatā (one-continuity) of pratyaya on a dhyeya-ālambana; removal of pratyantara-vṛttis (interruptions) defines dhyāna.
Application: Pick one ālambana (mantra, breath, Viṣṇu-form, or Brahman-lakṣaṇa); when a new thought arises, note it and return—aim for longer unbroken ‘same-thought’ intervals.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Samadhi–Moksha teachings)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator focuses on a single lamp-flame (ālambana); the mind-stream is shown as a continuous ribbon of light, while distracting thought-bubbles appear outside and dissolve before entering.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogi before a lamp, continuous golden ribbon from heart to flame, peripheral distraction motifs fading, bold outlines, sacred stillness and symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central lamp with gold leaf, meditator with halo, continuous gold stream linking gaze and flame, distractions as small embossed motifs pushed to margins, rich colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional: labeled ‘ālambana’, ‘sadṛśa-pratyaya’, ‘pratyantara’, clean composition with arrows showing uninterrupted flow, soft gradients","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate chamber with lamp, meditator seated, a fine luminous line indicating continuous attention, delicate marginalia-like distractions dissolving, meticulous detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dhyeyālambanasaṃsthasya = dhyeya-ālambana-saṃsthasya; sadṛśapratyayasya = sadṛśa-pratyayasya; pratyāntaranirmuktaḥ = prati-antara-nirmuktaḥ; dhyānamucyate = dhyānam ucyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373.1–373.2 (dhyāna definitions); Agni Purana 372 (pratyāhāra as preparation)
FAQs
It gives the technical definition of dhyāna: a steady, uniform stream of cognition fixed on a chosen object (dhyeya), uninterrupted by distracting thoughts (pratyāntara).
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves Yoga terminology and practice—here defining dhyāna with precise psychological language (pratyaya, interruption-free continuity).
By training the mind into an uninterrupted, single-object flow, one reduces distraction and impurity, creating the inner steadiness that supports deeper absorption and liberation-oriented practice.