Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 12
Adhyāya 375 — समाधिः
Samādhi
तिष्ठेत् स्वात्मनि विज्ञान आनन्दे ब्रह्मणीश्वरे मलिनो हि यथादर्श आत्मज्ञानाय न क्षमः
tiṣṭhet svātmani vijñāna ānande brahmaṇīśvare malino hi yathādarśa ātmajñānāya na kṣamaḥ
当安住于自我之中——安住于证悟之识（vijñāna）、安住于喜乐（ānanda）、安住于作为主宰的梵（Brahman）。因为不净之心如同污渍之镜：不能成就真实的自知（我知）。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Gives a practical diagnostic for spiritual progress: purity of mind is required for ātma-jñāna; use the ‘stained mirror’ analogy to motivate ethical discipline, meditation, and self-inquiry aimed at stable abidance in Self/Brahman-bliss.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mala as Obstruction to Ātma-jñāna (Stained Mirror Analogy) and Abidance in Self","lookup_keywords":["svātmani tiṣṭhet","vijñāna","ānanda","mala","darpaṇa-dṛṣṭānta"],"quick_summary":"Abide in the Self as realized knowledge and bliss in Brahman; impurity (mala) prevents Self-knowledge just as a stained mirror cannot reflect clearly—therefore purification is prerequisite."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (mirror simile)
Concept: Ātma-jñāna requires antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi; stable abidance in Self/Brahman as vijñāna-ānanda is the goal.
Application: Adopt a purification sequence: yama-niyama/ethical restraint, sense-discipline, japa or meditation, and self-inquiry; treat recurring agitation/impurity as ‘mirror-stain’ to be cleaned before expecting clear realization.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Jnana-yoga (Self-knowledge and liberation teachings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator seated in stillness; beside him a mirror—one half stained and dull, the other polished and bright—reflecting a luminous inner Self; the background suggests vast Brahmanic radiance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: yogin in padmāsana, large stylized mirror split into stained and clean halves; lotus and flame motifs indicating ānanda and brahman; earthy palette, bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central meditating figure with gold halo; mirror with gold-embossed clean side and muted tarnished side; ornate border, deep reds and greens, devotional serenity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional clarity—mirror-cleaning metaphor shown stepwise (cloth wiping stain, mirror brightening); meditator calm; fine linework and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: quiet interior with a seated ascetic; a servant-like allegory figure polishing a mirror; the mirror reflects a radiant silhouette; delicate architectural details and subdued colors"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वात्मनि = स्व + आत्मनि; ब्रह्मणीश्वरे = ब्रह्मणि + ईश्वरे; यथादर्श = यथा + आदर्शः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana mokṣa-dharma passages on antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi, jñāna-yoga, and meditation (nearby adhyāyas)
FAQs
It imparts Ātma-vidyā (knowledge of the Self): the practical discipline of abiding in the Self as realized knowledge and bliss, emphasizing inner purity as a prerequisite for authentic realization.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves concise Vedānta-style mokṣa instruction—here summarizing a core epistemic principle: purification is required for clear self-cognition, illustrated through the mirror analogy.
The verse teaches that purification (removal of mala/impurity) is karmically and spiritually decisive: without it, Self-knowledge cannot arise; with it, one becomes fit for steady Brahman-abidance leading toward liberation.