Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 63
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
ऋग्वेदाद्याः परा ह्य् अत्र पराविद्याक्षरं परं सप्रपञ्चं निष्प्रपञ्चं ब्रह्मणो रूपमीरितं
ṛgvedādyāḥ parā hy atra parāvidyākṣaraṃ paraṃ saprapañcaṃ niṣprapañcaṃ brahmaṇo rūpamīritaṃ
ఇక్కడ ఋగ్వేదాది వేదములు ‘పరా’ (ఉన్నత) విద్యగా చెప్పబడినవి; అయితే పరమ అక్షరమైన పరావిద్య బ్రహ్మ స్వరూపమని ప్రకటించబడింది—సప్రపంచముగా కూడా, నిష్ప్రపంచముగా కూడా।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Clarifies the hierarchy of knowledge: Vedic corpus as apara (textual/ritual learning) and Para-vidyā as akṣara-brahma realization, including understanding Brahman as both immanent (saprapañca) and transcendent (niṣprapañca) for meditation and teaching.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Aparā-vidyā (Veda) and Parā-vidyā (Akṣara-brahma): Saprapañca/Niṣprapañca Brahman","lookup_keywords":["Para vidya","Apara vidya","Akshara","Saprapancha","Nishprapancha"],"quick_summary":"Distinguishes Vedic learning as apara (instrumental knowledge) from Para-vidyā as imperishable Brahman-knowledge, presenting Brahman as both manifest-with-world and beyond-world—guiding nondual contemplation."}
Concept: Para-vidyā as akṣara (imperishable) Brahman-knowledge; Brahman understood as both immanent in manifestation (saprapañca) and transcendent beyond manifestation (niṣprapañca).
Application: Meditative instruction: contemplate Brahman as the ground of appearances (immanence) while recognizing its untouched transcendence; treat Vedic study as preparatory, culminating in direct realization.
Khanda Section: Vidya-Parampara (Apara-vidya and Para-vidya; Vedic corpus and Brahman-knowledge)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic teaching scene: two scrolls labeled 'Aparā (Ṛg etc.)' and 'Parā (Akṣara)' held by a guru; behind, a cosmic form showing the manifest universe (saprapañca) dissolving into a luminous formless expanse (niṣprapañca).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru with two palm-leaf bundles labeled Aparā and Parā; background split: left shows cosmic worlds and elements, right shows radiant abstract Brahman field; earthy palette, iconic symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore with gold: central golden Om/akṣara radiance, lower register guru and disciple with two manuscripts; left panel depicts saguṇa cosmic form, right panel depicts nirguṇa luminous void; heavy gold ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic yet elegant: two-tier chart Aparā→Parā, with saprapañca/niṣprapañca annotations; a meditating figure at the base; fine lines and soft washes","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, philosophical discourse in a garden pavilion; a painted cosmological map in the background transitioning from detailed universe to blank luminous space; calligraphic labels for akṣara, saprapañca, niṣprapañca"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: योगो ह्य् इत्यादिवत्: परा ह्य् अत्र = पराः + हि + अत्र (विसर्ग-सन्धिः). रूपमीरितम् = रूपम् + ईरितम् (स्वर-सन्धिः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 382 (Para/Apara-vidyā discussion)
FAQs
It classifies knowledge into Vedic learning (Ṛgveda and other Vedas) and Parāvidyā—imperishable knowledge of Brahman—framing the latter as the decisive liberating wisdom beyond mere ritual and textual mastery.
It shows the Purana’s encyclopedic scope by mapping the entire Vedic corpus (scriptural/ritual knowledge) alongside Vedantic metaphysics (Brahman as both manifested and unmanifest), integrating liturgical learning with ultimate philosophical doctrine.
It implies that while Vedic study supports dharma and merit, liberation-oriented purification culminates in Parāvidyā—realization of Brahman as both immanent in the world and transcendent beyond it.