Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 9
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात् कुरुते ऽर्जुन ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गन्त्यक्त्वा करोति यः
jñānāgniḥ sarvakarmāṇi bhasmasāt kurute 'rjuna brahmaṇyādhāya karmāṇi saṅgantyaktvā karoti yaḥ
హే అర్జునా! జ్ఞానాగ్ని సమస్త కర్మలను భస్మం చేస్తుంది. బ్రహ్మలో కర్మలను సమర్పించి, ఆసక్తిని విడిచి కర్మచేసేవాడు పవిత్రుడవుతాడు.
Lord Agni (narrative voice of the Agni Purana, instructing the sage; verse addresses ‘Arjuna’ in a Gita-style doctrinal citation)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Apply karma-yoga: offer actions to Brahman and drop attachment; use jñāna to burn binding residues (saṃskāra/karma-bandha).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jñānāgni and Brahmārpaṇa: Burning karma through knowledge and offering","lookup_keywords":["jnanagni","bhasmasat","brahmanyadhaya","sangatyaktva","karma-yoga"],"quick_summary":"Knowledge is likened to fire that incinerates karmic bondage. Actions performed as an offering to Brahman, without attachment, cease to bind and become purifying."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka (metaphor: knowledge as fire)
Concept: Karma becomes non-binding when rooted in jñāna and offered to Brahman; jñāna destroys avidyā-based karma-seeds.
Application: Before any task, mentally dedicate it to Brahman (‘brahmārpaṇam’); after completion, release claim to results; sustain study/meditation as jñānāgni.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Jnana-yoga (Karma-sannyasa and Brahma-arpana themes)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm practitioner performs daily work while a subtle inner flame (jñānāgni) rises from the heart, turning written ‘karma’ scrolls into ash; above, a luminous Brahman-symbol receives the offering.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, figure offering into a stylized inner-homa at the heart-lotus, flames rendered in traditional curves, ash motifs drifting, Brahman as radiant abstract mandala, deep reds/ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed flame emerging from heart, small ash piles labeled ‘karma’, devotee in offering posture, rich ornamentation and gold aura signifying Brahmārpaṇa","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence panels: (1) attachment-bound action, (2) offering to Brahman, (3) jñānāgni burning residues; fine lines, soft colors, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior scene of a worker-sage, delicate flame motif superimposed at chest, scrolls turning to ash, subtle calligraphy for ‘Brahman’, intricate border"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुरुते ऽर्जुन → कुरुते + अर्जुन; ब्रह्मण्याधाय → ब्रह्मणि + आधाय; सङ्गन्त्यक्त्वा → सङ्गम् + त्यक्त्वा
Related Themes: Agni Purana moksha sections on jñāna, vairāgya, and karma-tyāga (ch. 380 context)
FAQs
It teaches jñāna-vidyā as an inner “fire” that neutralizes the binding potency of karma, and prescribes brahmārpaṇa—dedicating actions to Brahman while renouncing attachment.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also systematizes liberation-doctrines; this verse encapsulates a core mokṣa teaching—how action becomes non-binding through knowledge and dedication.
Actions ordinarily generate future bondage, but when performed without attachment and offered to Brahman, their binding residue is “burned” by knowledge—supporting inner purification and liberation.