Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 56
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
निदाघ उवाच भो विप्र जनसंवादो महानेष नरेश्वर प्रविवीक्ष्य पुरं रम्यं तेनात्र स्थीयते मया
nidāgha uvāca bho vipra janasaṃvādo mahāneṣa nareśvara pravivīkṣya puraṃ ramyaṃ tenātra sthīyate mayā
Nidāgha nói: “Hỡi Bà-la-môn, hỡi bậc chúa tể loài người, đây là cuộc tụ hội và đàm luận công cộng rất lớn. Ta đến để chiêm ngưỡng thành phố mỹ lệ này, nên vì lẽ ấy ta lưu lại nơi đây.”
Nidāgha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Understanding civic life (pura-darśana), public assemblies, and how discourse functions as a marker of urban polity and social order.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Jana-saṃvāda in a City (Pura)","lookup_keywords":["jana-saṃvāda","pura-darśana","nagara-jīvana","sabha","rājadharma"],"quick_summary":"Public gathering and civic conversation are presented as notable features of a well-ordered city; the observer stays to witness urban discourse and governance in action."}
Alamkara Type: Vakrokti (dialogic framing)
Concept: Social reality is known through observation of public life (saṃvāda, sabhā, and civic conduct).
Application: Use public forums and assemblies to gauge governance quality, social harmony, and the king’s presence/authority.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Niti-shastra (Kingship, civic life, public discourse)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned ascetic (Nidāgha) stands at the edge of a bustling, pleasant city, watching a large public gathering engaged in civic discussion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, wide city gate and street scene, ascetic brahmin with kamaṇḍalu observing a sabhā-like crowd, earthy reds and ochres, stylized faces, narrative composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate city backdrop with architectural arches, central figure of a calm sage, surrounding citizens in orderly groups, rich textiles, gold leaf highlights on city ornaments","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed urban vignette with labeled civic groups, sage pointing toward assembly, soft shading, emphasis on didactic clarity and social order","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic bazaar-street and public assembly, fine linework, pastel palette, sage in simple robes contrasting with urban elites, inscription cartouches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महानेष = महान् + एषः; तेनात्र = तेन + अत्र.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 379 (Rajadharma/Nīti dialogue sequence)
FAQs
This verse conveys niti-oriented civic observation: the value of witnessing a city’s public life (janasamvāda) as a practical way to understand social conditions and governance.
Beyond theology, it records a slice of civic and political culture—how cities, rulers, and public assemblies function—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance and social dynamics alongside ritual and doctrine.
It implicitly affirms dharmic attentiveness: observing society and leadership with discernment supports righteous conduct (dharma) and helps a ruler or learned person act beneficially, reducing harm and accruing merit through wise action.