Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 46
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
निदाघः प्राप्तविद्यो ऽस्मान्नगरे वै पुरे स्थितः देविकायास्तटे तञ्च तर्कयामास वै ऋतुः
nidāghaḥ prāptavidyo 'smānnagare vai pure sthitaḥ devikāyāstaṭe tañca tarkayāmāsa vai ṛtuḥ
నిదాఘుడు విద్యను పొందినవాడై మా నగరంలో నివసించెను; దేవికా నది తీరమున ఋతువు అతనితో తర్కవిచారణను నిర్వహించెను.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purāṇic account to Vasiṣṭha—chapter-level frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Frames the pedagogical setting for tarka (reasoned inquiry) leading into Advaita-style discrimination between Self and non-Self.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nidāgha–Ṛtu Dialogue Setting on Devikā Riverbank","lookup_keywords":["Nidāgha","Ṛtu","Devikā","tarka","saṃvāda"],"quick_summary":"The verse establishes a guru–disciple style encounter where reasoning (tarka) is initiated in a quiet riverside setting, preparing the listener for philosophical discrimination."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa
Concept: Tarka as the entry-point to viveka (discriminative inquiry).
Application: Use structured questioning and dialogue in a quiet setting to examine assumptions about selfhood and experience.
Khanda Section: Narrative / Didactic Episode (Rishi Nidāgha and Ṛtu—dialogue context)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned sage Nidāgha residing in a town; Ṛtu approaches him on the bank of the Devikā river and begins a reasoned discussion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, serene riverbank of Devikā with lotus and palms, two saffron-clad sages seated in debate posture (vitarka mudrā), minimal background architecture, earthy reds and greens, sacred calm atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Nidāgha and Ṛtu seated on a riverbank pavilion, ornate but restrained gold detailing on borders and halos, stylized river Devikā flowing behind, emphasis on didactic meeting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework showing a scholarly dialogue scene, palm-leaf manuscripts nearby, subtle landscape of riverbank and town, soft colors, instructional mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed riverside landscape with a small town in the distance, two ascetics in conversation, delicate flora, precise architectural elements, naturalistic palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राप्तविद्योऽस्मात् = प्राप्तविद्यः + अस्मात्; देविकायास्तटे = देविकायाः + तटे; तञ्च = तम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 379.47-50 (continuation of Nidāgha-upākhyāna)
FAQs
This verse itself does not teach a ritual procedure; it establishes Nidāgha as “prāptavidya” (formally learned) and introduces a setting where Ṛtu engages him in tarka (reasoned debate), preparing the ground for subsequent instruction.
By embedding instruction within a rishi-to-rishi dialogue and explicitly naming tarka (reasoning), the text signals that the Agni Purana’s knowledge transmission includes not only rites and doctrines but also methods of inquiry—narrative frames that support diverse subjects across chapters.
The verse highlights the dhārmic ideal that true learning (vidyā) is tested and refined through disciplined inquiry (tarka) in the company of the wise—an implicit encouragement toward discernment (viveka) rather than mere rote knowledge.