Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 376 — ब्रह्मज्ञानम्
Knowledge of Brahman
संयुक्तं सप्तदशभिर्हिरण्यगर्भसंज्ञितं शरीरमात्मनः सूक्ष्मं लिङ्गमित्यभिधीयते
saṃyuktaṃ saptadaśabhirhiraṇyagarbhasaṃjñitaṃ śarīramātmanaḥ sūkṣmaṃ liṅgamityabhidhīyate
กายละเอียดของอาตมันซึ่งประกอบพร้อมด้วยองค์ประกอบสิบเจ็ดประการ และเป็นที่รู้จักว่า ‘หิรัณยครรภะ’ นั่นเอง เรียกว่า ‘ลิงคะ’ คือกายละเอียด/กายบ่งชี้.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the standard Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Understand the subtle body as a structured set of 17 constituents and relate it to Hiraṇyagarbha (cosmic subtle principle), aiding avastha-traya and microcosm–macrocosm contemplation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Liṅga/Sūkṣma-śarīra as Seventeenfold; Hiraṇyagarbha Designation","lookup_keywords":["saptadasha","hiranyagarbha","sukshma-sharira","linga-sharira","tattva-sanghata"],"quick_summary":"The subtle body of the Self is defined as that conjoined with seventeen constituents and is termed Hiraṇyagarbha in its cosmic aspect—useful for enumerative analysis of the inner instrument."}
Concept: Liṅga (sūkṣma-śarīra) as a seventeenfold conjunction; Hiraṇyagarbha as the cosmic designation of this subtle principle.
Application: For meditation and self-analysis, enumerate inner functions (mind/senses/vital forces as applicable) as liṅga-instruments, then rest as the witness beyond them.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Yoga / Tattva (Subtle Body and Cosmology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A luminous ‘golden womb’ (Hiraṇyagarbha) sphere containing a subtle human form; around it, seventeen small icons representing constituents arranged like a mandala; the Self indicated as a steady central light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: golden egg-like aura (Hiraṇyagarbha) with a subtle figure inside; seventeen petal-icons around (senses, mind, vitalities as symbols); deep reds/ochres, temple aesthetic.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Hiraṇyagarbha as embossed gold oval with gemstone accents; subtle body as gold-outlined translucent figure; seventeen miniature medallions around; rich ornamental frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: mandala diagram with 17 labeled nodes around a central subtle-body silhouette; soft colors, precise lines, pedagogical layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: celestial golden orb floating above a landscape; within, a faint figure; surrounding, 17 tiny emblems in a circular arrangement; meticulous detailing and decorative margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सप्तदशभिः हिरण्यगर्भसंज्ञितम् → सप्तदशभिर्हिरण्यगर्भसंज्ञितम् (visarga/r-sandhi); शरीरम् आत्मनः → शरीरमात्मनः; लिङ्गम् इति → लिङ्गमिति; इति अभिधीयते → इत्यभिधीयते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 376.9; Agni Purana 376.12
FAQs
It gives a technical definition from Sāṅkhya–Yoga metaphysics: the ‘liṅga’ or subtle body is the Self’s subtle embodiment constituted by a set of seventeen components and is identified with the Hiraṇyagarbha principle.
Beyond ritual and worship, the Agni Purāṇa also systematizes philosophical doctrines—here, it preserves a concise, technical account of subtle-body theory and cosmological Hiraṇyagarbha, reflecting its multi-disciplinary, encyclopedic scope.
By distinguishing the Self from the subtle body that carries impressions, the verse supports discrimination (viveka): realizing what transmigrates (liṅga-śarīra) versus the witnessing Self aids detachment and progress toward liberation.