Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 1
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे ध्यानं नाम त्रिसप्तत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः प्राप्नुयाद्धरिमिति ख प्राप्यते फलमिति ञ अथ चतुःसप्तत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः धारणा अग्निर् उवाच धारणा मनसोध्येये संस्थितिर्ध्यानवद्द्विधा मूर्तामूर्तहरिध्यानमनोधारणतो हरिः
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe dhyānaṃ nāma trisaptatyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ prāpnuyāddharimiti kha prāpyate phalamiti ña atha catuḥsaptatyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ dhāraṇā agnir uvāca dhāraṇā manasodhyeye saṃsthitirdhyānavaddvidhā mūrtāmūrtaharidhyānamanodhāraṇato hariḥ
至此，《阿耆尼摩诃往世书》中名为“禅观（Dhyāna）”的第三百七十四章告终。（异读：“得至哈利”/“得其果报”。）今开第三百七十五章：“摄持（Dhāraṇā，专注）”。阿耆尼言：“摄持者，令心安住于所观之境；如同禅观，亦分二类。以禅观摄心于哈利，或观其有相（具形，mūrta），或观其无相（无形，amūrta），则能达至哈利。”
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Use as a definitional guide for dhāraṇā: fixing mind on Hari with form (mūrta) or without form (amūrta) as a structured contemplative practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dhāraṇā: Twofold Fixing of Mind on Hari (Mūrta/Amūrta)","lookup_keywords":["dhāraṇā","dhyāna","mūrta","amūrta","Hari-upāsanā"],"quick_summary":"Dhāraṇā is defined as steady mental fixation on the contemplated object, akin to dhyāna, and is twofold: meditation on Hari with form and without form. Mastery of such concentration is said to lead to attainment of Hari."}
Concept: Dhāraṇā as stable mind-fixation; two contemplative modes—saguṇa (mūrta) and nirguṇa (amūrta)—both oriented to Hari as the supreme goal.
Application: Choose a dhyeya: (1) mūrta—Vishnu icon/mental image with attributes; (2) amūrta—formless presence (pure consciousness/inner witness). Practice daily with time-bound steadiness and gentle return when distracted.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana–Dharana: Vishnu-meditation practices)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Agni as teacher instructing a disciple: two panels—left shows Vishnu’s iconic form as the meditation object; right shows a luminous formless sphere/void symbolizing amūrta contemplation; the disciple seated in yogic posture, mind fixed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Agni-deva seated as guru with flaming aura; disciple in padmāsana; to one side a richly ornamented Vishnu (mūrta), to the other a radiant abstract mandala (amūrta); temple interior with lamps and lotus motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold work; central guru-disciple scene; Vishnu mūrti with gold halo and ornaments; adjacent gold-embossed circular aura representing amūrta; ornate arch and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean didactic layout; labeled ‘mūrta’ and ‘amūrta’ meditation objects; subtle shading; calm studio-like setting emphasizing instruction and mental fixation.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature in a courtly garden; sage teaching; a framed Vishnu image on an easel (mūrta) and a glowing abstract disc (amūrta); fine textiles, delicate faces, detailed foliage."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity = iti; āgneye mahāpurāṇe (locative phrase); trisaptatyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ = ...tamaḥ + adhyāyaḥ (’ = a- elision); prāpnuyāddharim = prāpnuyāt+harim; agnir uvāca = agniḥ+uvāca; manasodhyeye = manasaḥ+dhyeye; saṃsthitirdhyānavat = saṃsthitiḥ+dhyānavat; dvidhā; mūrtāmūrtaharidhyānamanodhāraṇato = mūrta+amūrta+hari+dhyāna+manas+dhāraṇā+taḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: preceding Dhyāna adhyāya (end noted here); Agni Purana: subsequent Dhāraṇā/Samādhi lakṣaṇa verses (374.2–374.4)
FAQs
It defines Dhāraṇā as mental fixation on a chosen contemplative object and specifies a Vaishnava method: concentrating through meditation on Hari in both formed (mūrta) and formless (amūrta) modes.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium by moving from narrative/purāṇic material into systematic yoga terminology (dhyāna, dhāraṇā, twofold modes), summarizing practical sādhanā instructions alongside other disciplines covered elsewhere in the text.
The verse frames concentration on Hari—whether with attributes or without—as a direct means to attain/realize Hari, implying purification and spiritual fulfillment through disciplined mind-control oriented to the Supreme.