Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 51
Āgneya-Purāṇa-māhātmya
The Greatness and Self-Testimony of the Agni Purāṇa
नास्मात्परतरं भूमौ विद्यते वस्तु दुर्लभम् आग्नेये हि पुराणे ऽस्मिन् सर्वविद्याः प्रदर्शिताः
nāsmātparataraṃ bhūmau vidyate vastu durlabham āgneye hi purāṇe 'smin sarvavidyāḥ pradarśitāḥ
บนแผ่นดินไม่มีสิ่งใดหายากยิ่งกว่านี้ เพราะในอัคนีปุราณะนี้ได้แสดงสรรพวิทยาทั้งปวงไว้แล้ว.
Lord Agni (traditional frame: Agni instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Positions the Agni Purāṇa as a single-source compendium for multidisciplinary learning (vidyā-saṅgraha) and curriculum design.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Agni Purāṇa as Sarva-vidyā-pradarśaka (Encyclopedic Compendium)","lookup_keywords":["sarva-vidyā","āgneyapurāṇa","durlabha","vidyā-saṅgraha","encyclopedic"],"quick_summary":"Declares the text rare on earth because it displays all branches of knowledge; it legitimizes using the Purāṇa as an integrated handbook across disciplines."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic rarity)
Concept: Integration of multiple vidyās within a Purāṇic framework; knowledge as a unified ecosystem rather than isolated śāstras.
Application: Use as a structured syllabus: begin with narratives and dharma, then proceed to ritual/āgama, arts, polity, medicine, and liberation-oriented teachings.
Khanda Section: Phala-shruti / Purana-mahatmya (Agni Purana as an encyclopedic compendium of vidyās)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic 'tree of knowledge' emerging from the Agni Purāṇa manuscript, with labeled branches for Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Śilpa, Vāstu, Alaṅkāra, Mantra, and Dharma.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large palm-leaf manuscript at center, stylized tree sprouting labeled vidyā-branches, agni glow behind, bold outlines, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central grantha on pedestal with gold leaf, radiating lotus-petals each inscribed with a vidyā, ornate frame, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic composition: manuscript with branching labels (Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Śilpa, Vāstu, Alaṅkāra, Mantra), clean lines, soft washes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar’s studio with multiple open books titled by disciplines, central Agni Purāṇa volume, delicate calligraphy panels, floral margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नास्मात् = न + अस्मात्; पुराणेऽस्मिन् = पुराणे + अस्मिन्; सर्वविद्याः = सर्व + विद्याः (समास/समाहार-भाव).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: sections on Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Śilpa/Vāstu, Alaṅkāra, Nīti/Artha, Mantra/Āgama (distributed across the text)
FAQs
The verse does not teach a single procedure; it asserts that the Agni Purāṇa contains and expounds “all vidyās,” i.e., a wide range of practical and śāstric disciplines (ritual, governance, medicine, warfare, arts, and literature).
By explicitly claiming “sarva-vidyāḥ pradarśitāḥ,” it frames the text as a comprehensive compendium rather than a single-topic Purāṇa, legitimizing its multi-subject chapters (e.g., pūjā-vidhi, vāstu, rājadharma, āyurveda, dhanurveda, alaṅkāra-śāstra).
As a praise-statement (phala-śruti tone), it elevates the Agni Purāṇa as a rare sacred resource; engaging with it (study, hearing, preservation) is implied to yield religious merit through contact with a text presented as containing complete dharmic and practical instruction.