Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 22
Chapter 378: Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
भजते प्राकृतान्धर्मान् अन्यस्तेभ्यो हि सो ऽव्ययः वन्धाय विषयासङ्गं मनो निर्विषयं धिये
bhajate prākṛtāndharmān anyastebhyo hi so 'vyayaḥ vandhāya viṣayāsaṅgaṃ mano nirviṣayaṃ dhiye
他或可修行世间常法，然其本真实异于彼等——不坏不灭。对境之贪著为系缚之因；为成智慧，当令其心离境无所缘。
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Live in the world performing duties without self-identification; systematically reduce viṣaya-āsakti (sense-attachment) through restraint, reflection, and meditation to support liberation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vairāgya: Making the Mind Nirviṣaya while Doing Duties","lookup_keywords":["vairāgya","viṣaya-āsakti","bandha","nirviṣaya-manas","dharma"],"quick_summary":"One may perform worldly duties yet remain distinct and imperishable; bondage comes from attachment to sense-objects, while wisdom requires rendering the mind object-free (nirviṣaya) through disciplined detachment."}
Concept: Karma without viṣaya-āsakti; nirviṣaya mind supports jñāna and freedom from bandha.
Application: Adopt a three-step practice: (1) do duties as offering, (2) monitor and cut attachment at the moment of craving, (3) daily meditation to rest attention without objects (pratyāhāra/dhyāna).
Khanda Section: Moksha-Dharma / Jnana-Vairagya (Renunciation and liberating knowledge)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder performs daily duties (fire-offering, service, work) while a calm inner figure remains untouched; sense-objects appear as fading silhouettes, indicating nirviṣaya mind.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, gṛhastha at agnihotra with stylized flames, inner aura of detachment around the head, fading icons of pleasures at the margins, serene composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, devotee performing duty before sacred fire, gold-leaf highlighting the fire and halo, peripheral sense-objects rendered dim and subdued, emphasis on inner purity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, stepwise instructional panel: duty-performance, then restraint from objects, then seated meditation; clear sequencing, fine lines, gentle colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic-court scene: man engaged in work and charity, with a subtle translucent overlay of meditative silhouette; detailed objects fading into mist to show detachment"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राकृतान्धर्मान् = प्राकृतान् धर्मान्; अन्यस्तेभ्यो = अन्यः तेभ्यः; सोऽव्ययः = सः अव्ययः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Moksha-dharma teachings on vairāgya and asaṅga (nearby 378.18–21)
FAQs
It imparts the practical jñāna-yoga discipline of reducing viṣaya-āsaṅga (sense-attachment) and cultivating a nirviṣaya (object-free) mind as the operative method for wisdom and liberation.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also systematizes mokṣa-śāstra: concise yogic psychology explaining how ordinary dharma can coexist with inner transcendence through detachment.
It states that clinging to sense-objects generates bondage, while inward non-attachment purifies cognition and supports imperishability (freedom) even while performing worldly duties.