Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 65
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
पीतनीलादिभेदेन यथैकं दृश्यते नभः भ्रान्तिदृष्टिभिरात्मापि तथैकः स पृथक् पृथक्
pītanīlādibhedena yathaikaṃ dṛśyate nabhaḥ bhrāntidṛṣṭibhirātmāpi tathaikaḥ sa pṛthak pṛthak
ดุจท้องฟ้าอันเดียวถูกมองว่าแตกต่างเป็นสีเหลือง สีคราม เป็นต้น ฉันใด อาตมันแม้เป็นหนึ่งเดียว ก็ถูกทัศนะอันหลงผิดเห็นว่าแยกเป็นส่วน ๆ ฉันนั้น
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"A practical Advaita analogy: use the ‘one sky, many colors’ example to diagnose perceptual error and reduce reification of differences in self/other/world.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ākāśa-dṛṣṭānta (Sky Analogy for Apparent Multiplicity)","lookup_keywords":["ākāśa","bhrānti","nāna-bheda","ātman","dṛṣṭānta"],"quick_summary":"Multiplicity is an appearance born of deluded perception: as one sky seems variously colored, the one Self appears as many due to cognitive error."}
Alamkara Type: Dṛṣṭānta (illustrative analogy)
Concept: Bheda is perceptual superimposition (bhrānti); the ātman is ekam despite seeming plurality.
Application: When differences provoke attachment/aversion, recall the sky-analogy: treat distinctions as functional (vyavahāra) without granting ultimate reality (paramārtha).
Khanda Section: Vedanta / Atma-jnana (Non-dual Self-knowledge; Brahma-vidya)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast sky painted in bands of yellow, blue, and other hues, while a sage points out that the sky remains one—mirroring the one Self appearing as many.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, expansive sky with stylized color gradations, sage in foreground indicating unity, minimalistic yet symbolic, earthy pigments with luminous blues, contemplative tone.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, large gilded halo-like sky disc with multiple color rings, sage below teaching, gold leaf emphasizing the ‘one’ underlying field, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional illustration: one sky labeled ‘eka’, overlaid with color patches labeled ‘bhrānti-dṛṣṭi’, sage explaining, fine linework and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape under a multicolored twilight sky, sage and disciple observing, subtle caption cartouche, delicate gradients and refined brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पीतनीलादिभेदेन → पीत + नील + आदि + भेदेन; यथैकं → यथा + एकम्; भ्रान्तिदृष्टिभिरात्मापि → भ्रान्तिदृष्टिभिः + आत्मा + अपि; तथैकः → तथा + एकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 379.63 (abheda-darśana); Agni Purana 379.64 (ekaḥ sarvam; sarvagata Viṣṇu)
FAQs
It imparts Brahma-vidya/Atma-jnana: a technical Vedantic point that perceived plurality is a cognitive error (bhranti) superimposed on the one Atman, illustrated through the single sky appearing as many colors.
Beyond rites and dharma, the Agni Purana also preserves systematic metaphysics: it includes Vedantic epistemology (how perception can mislead) and soteriology (knowledge leading to liberation), showing its coverage of philosophy alongside practical disciplines.
Spiritually, it directs the seeker to dissolve ego-based separateness by recognizing the one Self; this reduces attachment and aversion, supporting inner purification and the pursuit of moksha through right knowledge.