Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 32
Chapter 373 — ध्यानम्
Dhyāna / Meditation
सर्वाभरणभूषाढ्यो वितस्तर्वा यथेच्छया अहं ब्रह्म ज्योतिरात्मा वाउदेवो बिमुक्त ॐ
sarvābharaṇabhūṣāḍhyo vitastarvā yathecchayā ahaṃ brahma jyotirātmā vāudevo bimukta oṃ
تمام زیورات سے آراستہ ہو کر، اپنی خواہش کے مطابق وِتستی (ایک بالشت) کے برابر صورت اختیار کرے اور یوں دھیان کرے—“میں برہمن ہوں؛ میرا جوہر نور ہے؛ میں واسودیو ہوں—کامل طور پر مُکت۔” اوم۔
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mahāvākya-style contemplation for mokṣa-sādhana: internalize identity with Brahman/Vāsudeva as self-luminous consciousness; use Oṃ as seal for meditation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Ahaṃ Brahma—Jyotirātmā—Vāsudevo Vimukta (Oṃ)","lookup_keywords":["ahaṃ brahma","jyotirātmā","vāsudeva","vimukta","oṃ"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a self-realization formula: contemplate ‘I am Brahman, of the nature of light; I am Vāsudeva, liberated,’ sealed with Oṃ. It functions as a jñāna-yoga dhyāna-mantra to dissolve dehābhimāna."}
Concept: Ahamgraha-upāsanā / non-dual self-identification: the self is Brahman, self-luminous consciousness; Vāsudeva as the inner Self; liberation as present recognition.
Application: In seated meditation, repeat the contemplation slowly, resting attention on ‘jyotiḥ’ (self-luminosity) and dropping identification with body and roles; conclude with Oṃ as niścaya (firm resolve).
Khanda Section: Moksha-Dharma / Jnana-Yoga (Mantra and Self-Realization)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin in meditation visualizes a small, span-sized luminous Vāsudeva within the heart-lotus, adorned yet made of pure light; the syllable Oṃ radiates above like a seal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, meditating sage with inner-heart lotus showing a tiny radiant Vāsudeva figure, golden-white aura, Oṃ motif above, stylized flames/halo, sacred geometry subtle in background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central meditating figure with embossed gold aura, inner heart-lotus containing miniature Vāsudeva, heavy gold highlights on ornaments, Oṃ in gold at top, deep rich background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, calm instructional composition: seated yogin, transparent chest revealing heart-lotus and small luminous deity, soft gradients for inner light, clear Oṃ symbol, minimal clutter","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined meditating ascetic in a quiet chamber, delicate depiction of inner luminous form via subtle glow, calligraphic Oṃ, fine textile and architectural details"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yathecchayā = यथा-इच्छया (vowel sandhi: अ + इ → ए); jyotirātmā = ज्योतिः + आत्मा (visarga sandhi: ः + आ → रा). Text of this verse appears corrupt/variant in places (वितस्तर्वा, वाउदेवो, बिमुक्त).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Mokṣa-dharma/Jñāna-yoga sections (self-knowledge teachings); Agni Purana 373.33 (alternation of japa and dhyāna)
FAQs
It imparts a jñāna-yoga contemplation/mantra: identifying the self with Brahman (light-natured Ātman) and with Vāsudeva, using Oṃ as the seal—intended for meditative realization rather than external ritual.
Alongside practical subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves concise mokṣa-instructions—here, a compact formula of non-dual contemplation—showing its range from ritual and dharma to direct liberation-teachings.
The instruction aims at inner purification through identity-shift from body-mind to Brahman/Vāsudeva, culminating in the state described as vimukta (fully freed), with Oṃ marking the contemplative absorption.