Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 9
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
विष्णुभक्तः सदोत्साही ध्यातेत्थं पुरुषः स्मृतः मूर्तामूर्तं परम्ब्रह्म हरेर्ध्यानं हि चिन्तनम्
viṣṇubhaktaḥ sadotsāhī dhyātetthaṃ puruṣaḥ smṛtaḥ mūrtāmūrtaṃ parambrahma harerdhyānaṃ hi cintanam
విష్ణుభక్తుడై నిత్యోత్సాహంతో ఉన్న పురుషుడు ఈ విధంగా ధ్యానించాలి; అటువంటి వాడు స్మృతిలో నిజ సాధకుడిగా చెప్పబడతాడు. పరబ్రహ్మం మూర్తమూ అమూర్తమూ; హరిపై ధ్యానమే చింతనరూప మననం.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Bhakti-yoga","practical_application":"Daily saguna–nirguna dhyana on Vishnu/Hari to stabilize mind and orient life toward Brahman-realization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Saguna–Nirguna Brahma as Hari-dhyana","lookup_keywords":["Vishnu-bhakti","saguna nirguna","Hari-dhyana","parama-brahma","chintana"],"quick_summary":"The supreme Brahman is both formed and formless; meditation on Hari is itself the contemplative method for realizing that non-duality while sustaining devotion."}
Concept: Brahman is simultaneously sakala (with attributes/form) and nishkala (attribute-less/formless); Hari-dhyana is a valid bridge between the two standpoints.
Application: Hold a chosen Vishnu form in mind while understanding it as a doorway to the formless absolute; keep enthusiasm (utsaha) and regularity.
Khanda Section: Bhakti-yoga & Dhyana (Vishnu-upasana / Saguna–Nirguna Brahma contemplation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Vishnu-bhakta seated in meditation, with a luminous Vishnu form dissolving into a formless radiance, indicating saguna–nirguna Brahman.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, seated yogi before a stylized Vishnu with conch and discus, halo expanding into abstract golden aura, flat colors, ornate borders, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Vishnu in rich ornaments with gold leaf halo, devotee in dhyana below, background transitioning to pure gold field symbolizing nirguna Brahman, jewel-like detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: devotee posture and gaze, Vishnu icon at center with subtle fade into light, delicate lines, muted palette, emphasis on meditative technique.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with a meditator, a visionary Vishnu apparition turning into a wash of light, fine textiles, detailed architecture, restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यातेत्थं = ध्यायेत् + इत्थम्; हरेर्ध्यानं = हरेः + ध्यानम्; परम्ब्रह्म = परम् + ब्रह्म; मूर्तामूर्तं = मूर्त + अमूर्तम् (समास/संयोग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372 (dhyana/bhakti context); Agni Purana 373 (Hari-tattva, japa, antaryaga sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a practical dhyāna-vidhi principle: sustained meditation (dhyāna) on Hari, grounded in constant zeal (sad-utsāha), recognizing the Supreme as both manifest (mūrta) and unmanifest (amūrta).
Alongside its many technical domains, the Agni Purana also systematizes inner disciplines—here summarizing a Vedāntic-bhakti synthesis (saguṇa–nirguṇa Brahman) as a concise meditation doctrine within its wide-ranging compendium.
It frames devotion-backed meditation as a direct purifying practice: contemplating Hari as the supreme reality aligns the mind with Brahman, strengthening steadiness, faith, and liberation-oriented merit (puṇya) through sustained remembrance.