Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 33
Chapter 381 — यमगीता
Yama-gītā
शुभे ह्य् एकत्र विषये चेतसो यत् प्रधारणं निश् चलत्वात्तु धीमद्भिर्धारणा द्विज कथ्यते
śubhe hy ekatra viṣaye cetaso yat pradhāraṇaṃ niś calatvāttu dhīmadbhirdhāraṇā dvija kathyate
O dvija (dalawang-ulit na isinilang), ang matatag na pagtuon ng isip sa iisang mapalad at banal na bagay—dahil sa di-pagkilos at pagiging iisang-tuldok—ay tinatawag ng mga pantas na dhāraṇā.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha / addressed to a dvija within the teaching frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Defines dharana for meditation training: choose a single auspicious support and hold attention steadily without wavering.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dharana-lakshana: Ekagra-chitta on Shubha-vishaya","lookup_keywords":["dharana","ekagrata","shubha-vishaya","chitta-sthairya","yoga"],"quick_summary":"Dharana is the unwavering fixation of mind on one auspicious object; its hallmark is stillness and one-pointedness."}
Concept: Dharana is defined by ekagrata (single-object steadiness) on a shubha support.
Application: Select a stable support (mantra, breath-point, deity form, or inner light) and train for unmoving attention, returning gently whenever the mind drifts.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Dharana–Samadhi Lakshana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator with eyes half-closed, mind symbolized as a steady flame fixed on a single auspicious object (a lotus, bindu, or deity emblem).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogi seated, a single lotus/bindu glowing before the brow, thick expressive outlines, minimal distractions, calm symmetrical framing, auspicious motifs (lotus, conch) subtly placed.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central meditating figure with gold halo, a single luminous lotus as the meditation object, ornate border, rich jewel tones, devotional stillness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of ekagra focus: one object highlighted, background muted, soft gradients, precise posture and gaze direction, serene palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, quiet pavilion with a yogi focusing on a single lamp-flame, intricate architectural details, delicate brushwork, subdued colors emphasizing stillness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ह्य् = हि; निश् चलत्वात्तु = निश्चलत्वात् तु; धीमद्भिर्धारणा = धीमद्भिः धारणा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 381.34 (dhyana and samadhi definitions)
FAQs
It gives a technical definition of dhāraṇā: the firm, unmoving, one-pointed holding of the mind on a single auspicious meditation-object.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies yoga terminology; here it precisely defines a core limb of meditative discipline (dhāraṇā) in a sutra-like manner.
Training the mind to remain steady on a wholesome (śubha) object purifies attention, supports deeper meditation, and becomes a foundation for higher yogic absorption and inner clarity.