Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 4
Chapter 378: Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
चेतनाचेतनान्यत्वज्ञानेन ज्ञानमुच्यते परमात्मा च सर्वेषामाधारः परमेश्वरः
cetanācetanānyatvajñānena jñānamucyate paramātmā ca sarveṣāmādhāraḥ parameśvaraḥ
所谓“知识”，即了别有情（具觉知者）与无情（不具觉知者）之差别；而至上我（Paramātman）即至上主（Parameśvara），为一切众生之依止与根基。
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Provides a diagnostic definition of ‘knowledge’ as viveka between sentient and insentient, and anchors theology/metaphysics by defining Paramatma as universal support—useful for meditation, debate, and Vedanta study.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Jnana as chetana–achetana viveka; Paramatma as sarvadhara Parameshvara","lookup_keywords":["chetana","achetana","viveka-jnana","paramatma","sarvadhara"],"quick_summary":"Knowledge is the discernment of sentience from insentience. The Supreme Self is identified as the Supreme Lord, the ground of all beings."}
Concept: Viveka-lakshana jnana: distinguishing consciousness (chetana) from inert matter (achetana); Paramatma/Parameshvara as adhara (substratum) of all.
Application: Apply neti-neti style inquiry: identify what is changing/insentient vs the witnessing awareness; stabilize devotion/inquiry by contemplating the Lord as the universal support.
Khanda Section: Jnana-yoga / Vedanta (Tattva-nirnaya: consciousness, inert matter, and the Supreme Self)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teaching scene where a sage points to two symbols: a luminous flame (consciousness) and a clay pot/stone (insentient), while above them the all-supporting Supreme appears as a vast, steady presence holding the cosmos.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and disciple seated, guru gestures to a lamp (chetana) and a stone (achetana), behind them a large serene Vishnu-like cosmic form as sarvadhara, rich earthy pigments, stylized eyes, shanta-adbhuta blend.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central Parameshvara with gold halo and ornate arch, below two small medallions: flame for chetana, pot for achetana, inscriptions-like labels, heavy gold work emphasizing ‘adhara’.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: split panel showing chetana vs achetana with fine annotations, central vertical axis as Paramatma supporting both, delicate lines and soft colors for instructional Vedanta mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly court-like setting with a rishi teaching, objects on a carpet (lamp and stone), a translucent cosmic figure in the sky as the ground of all, intricate textiles and subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चेतनाचेतनान्यत्वज्ञानेन = चेतन + अचेतन + अन्यत्व + ज्ञानेन; ज्ञानमुच्यते = ज्ञानम् + उच्यते; सर्वेषामाधारः = सर्वेषाम् + आधारः
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vedanta/tattva-nirnaya passages defining purusha/prakriti and the adhara concept; Agni Purana Moksha sections on viveka and jnana as means
FAQs
It imparts jñāna-vidyā in the form of viveka (discriminative discernment): correctly distinguishing the conscious self/principle (cetana) from inert matter (acetana).
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves compact Vedāntic definitions—here, a technical definition of knowledge and a metaphysical description of Paramātmā as the universal substratum.
Cultivating cetana–acetana discrimination weakens misidentification with the body and materiality, supporting detachment and inner purification, and orienting the seeker toward the Supreme Lord as the ground of all.