Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 5
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
धारणाभ्यासयुक्तात्मा यदि प्राणैर् विमुच्यते कुलैकविंशमुत्तार्य स्वर्याति परमं पदं
dhāraṇābhyāsayuktātmā yadi prāṇair vimucyate kulaikaviṃśamuttārya svaryāti paramaṃ padaṃ
若一人以陀罗那（dhāraṇā，专注）修习而自心调伏，临终由诸普拉那（prāṇa，生命气息）出离其身，则—度脱家族二十一代—往生天界，并证得至上境界。
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Use dhāraṇā and prāṇa-discipline as a soteriological practice aimed at a calm, conscious death (antakāla-smṛti) and liberation-oriented merit for one’s lineage.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dhāraṇā-abhyāsa and mokṣa-phala (21-kula-uttāraṇa)","lookup_keywords":["dhāraṇā","prāṇa-utkrānti","kula-uttāraṇa","parama-pada","svarga"],"quick_summary":"Steady dhāraṇā culminating in prāṇa-based departure is presented as granting uplift of twenty-one generations and attainment of the supreme state; it frames yogic death as both personal liberation and ancestral benefit."}
Concept: Dhāraṇā-sādhana at the time of prāṇa-utkrānti leads to parama-pada; yogic attainment is portrayed as extending merit to one’s lineage.
Application: Cultivate daily concentration and prāṇa-regulation with a view to maintaining lucidity at life’s end; integrate remembrance of the goal (parama-pada) into practice.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dharana, Pranayama, Moksha-phala)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in firm posture, absorbed in dhāraṇā; subtle prāṇa rising as a luminous current, with ancestral figures behind being uplifted toward a radiant ‘parama-pada’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, a serene yogin in padmāsana with stylized prāṇa-flames rising, faint ancestral silhouettes in registers, luminous halo indicating parama-pada, traditional ornamentation and flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central yogin with embossed aureole, prāṇa as gilded upward stream, small framed medallions of ancestors being lifted, rich textiles and temple-like arch framing the ‘supreme state’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional clarity: yogin posture, breath-channel indicated subtly, labeled ‘dhāraṇā’ focus point, soft gradients for the ascent to parama-pada.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing: yogin in a quiet pavilion, translucent luminous plume rising, background showing layered heavens, small portraits of ancestors ascending, restrained palette with bright highlights for the ‘supreme state’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राणैर् → प्राणैः (रेफ्-सन्धि); कुलैकविंशमुत्तार्य → कुलैकविंशम् + उत्तार्य; स्वर्याति → स्वः + याति (विसर्ग-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Yoga-vidya sections on prāṇāyāma, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, and mokṣa-phala (same khanda context); Agni Purana passages on śrāddha/ancestral merit (where applicable)
FAQs
It teaches a yogic principle: sustained dhāraṇā-abhyāsa (concentration practice) culminates in a controlled release at death associated with prāṇa, yielding exalted post-mortem attainment.
Alongside ritual and dharma topics, the Agni Purana also preserves yoga-vidyā—linking meditative technique (dhāraṇā) with soteriology (heaven/supreme state) and lineage merit (kula-uttāraṇa).
It attributes powerful merit to yogic discipline: the practitioner’s attainment benefits not only the individual (svarga/parama pada) but also purifies and uplifts the family line by “saving” twenty-one generations.