Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 29
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
अग्निमण्डलमध्यस्थः शङ्खचक्रगदाधरः पद्मी चतुर्भुजो विष्णुरथ वाष्टभुजो हरिः
agnimaṇḍalamadhyasthaḥ śaṅkhacakragadādharaḥ padmī caturbhujo viṣṇuratha vāṣṭabhujo hariḥ
آگنی منڈل کے وسط میں وشنو مستقر ہیں—وہ شंख، چکر اور گدا دھارن کرنے والے، پدم دھاری چہار بازو ہیں؛ یا انہیں آٹھ بازو والے ہری کے روپ میں بھی دھیان کیا جائے۔
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha on ritual visualization)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Dhyāna-śloka/arcana-krama: visualize Viṣṇu/Hari in the agni-maṇḍala center with specified arms and āyudhas before mantra-japa and offerings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Agni-maṇḍala-madhya Viṣṇu/Hari Dhyāna (Caturbhuja/Aṣṭabhuja)","lookup_keywords":["agni-maṇḍala","viṣṇu dhyāna","caturbhuja","aṣṭabhuja hari","śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma"],"quick_summary":"In fire-maṇḍala worship, place Viṣṇu in the center as four-armed with conch, discus, mace, and lotus, or contemplate Hari as eight-armed. This fixes the deity’s form for stable concentration and correct pūjā visualization."}
Concept: Rūpa-dhyāna as a support (ālambana) for steadiness of mind in worship.
Application: Before offerings, mentally ‘install’ the deity in the maṇḍala-center and keep the same form throughout japa and upacāras to prevent vikalpa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu–Hari iconography and dhyana within Agni-mandala worship)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blazing agni-maṇḍala with a lotus-like center where Viṣṇu appears, four-armed holding conch, discus, mace, and lotus; alternate depiction shows Hari with eight arms, all radiant within the fire-circle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, circular agni-maṇḍala with stylized flames, central Viṣṇu caturbhuja holding śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma, rich reds/ochres/greens, bold outlines, serene face, ritual symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu seated/standing in agni-maṇḍala, heavy gold foil halo and ornaments, śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma clearly shown, jewel inlays, deep maroon background, temple arch framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework and soft shading, instructional composition showing maṇḍala center placement, labels implied by clear attributes, calm palette, precise depiction of four arms and āyudhas","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed fire-maṇḍala as a patterned circle, Viṣṇu in the center with conch/discus/mace/lotus, fine textile details, delicate facial features, gold accents, balanced geometry"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: agnimaṇḍalamadhyasthaḥ = अग्नि-मण्डल-मध्य-स्थः; śaṅkhacakragadādharaḥ = शङ्ख-चक्र-गदा-धरः; caturbhujo = चतुर्-भुजः; vāṣṭabhujo = वा + अष्ट-भुजः (vowel sandhi: आ + अ → आ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 373 (Pūjā-vidhi: dhyāna-lakṣaṇa, japa-dhyāna)
FAQs
It teaches dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditative iconography) for worship: visualize Viṣṇu/Hari placed at the center of the Agni-maṇḍala, specifically with conch, discus, mace, and lotus, in either a four-armed or an eight-armed form.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana functions as a ritual handbook: it catalogs precise deity-forms, attributes (āyudha), and placement within maṇḍalas—practical details used in pūjā, homa, and tantric-style visualizations.
Correct visualization of the deity’s form and placement is treated as a purifier and concentrator of mind in worship, aligning the ritual space (maṇḍala) and the practitioner’s attention with Viṣṇu’s protective presence (Hari) for merit (puṇya) and inner steadiness.