Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 7
Chapter 378: Brahma-jñāna
Knowledge of Brahman
तत्प्राप्तिहेतुर्ज्ञानञ्च कर्म चोक्तं महामुने आगमोक्तं विवेकाच्च द्विधा ज्ञानं तथोच्यते
tatprāptiheturjñānañca karma coktaṃ mahāmune āgamoktaṃ vivekācca dvidhā jñānaṃ tathocyate
大牟尼啊，已宣说：知识与业行（karma）乃得证“彼”的因缘。知识亦被称为二种：一为经教（āgama）所说之知，二为由辨别观（viveka）而生之知。
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Gives a practical roadmap: attainment requires both jnana and karma (as appropriate), and clarifies two sources of knowledge—scriptural instruction and personal discriminative insight—useful for structuring study and practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Means to attainment: jnana and karma; twofold jnana—agama and viveka","lookup_keywords":["jnana","karma","agama-jnana","viveka-jnana","sadhana-marga"],"quick_summary":"Attainment is supported by both knowledge and action. Knowledge is classified into scripturally taught (agama) and that born of discernment (viveka), encouraging balanced practice."}
Concept: Sadhana-samyoga: jnana and karma as joint/compatible means (context-sensitive); jnana-dvaya—agama (revealed/scriptural) and viveka (discriminative realization).
Application: Create a two-track regimen: (1) agama—systematic study with teacher and śāstra; (2) viveka—daily inquiry and reflection; maintain karma as purificatory duty (nishkama) until steadiness in knowledge matures.
Khanda Section: Moksha-shastra (Jnana–Karma synthesis and means to attainment)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage instructs a disciple with two paths shown as parallel streams: one labeled ‘Agama’ with scriptures and teacher, the other ‘Viveka’ with a meditating figure; both converge into a single summit labeled ‘Tat-prapti’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru-disciple scene, two flowing bands from palm-leaf manuscripts (agama) and from a meditating yogin (viveka) merging into a radiant peak, warm pigments and clear symbolic labeling.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central radiant ‘Tat’ symbol or Vishnu-emblem, two gold-highlighted pathways leading in—one with scripture bundle, one with lotus of discernment—ornate frame emphasizing synthesis.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic chart-like painting: bifurcation of jnana into agama/viveka, plus karma as supporting base (ritual implements), neat composition and fine outlines for instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly setting with teacher and student, manuscripts on a low desk, a side vignette of the student meditating, both scenes connected by a painted ribbon leading to a luminous horizon."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kharaharapriya","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्प्राप्तिहेतुर्ज्ञानञ्च = तत्प्राप्तिहेतुः + ज्ञानम् + च; कर्म चोक्तं = कर्म + च + उक्तम्; आगमोक्तं = आगम + उक्तम्; विवेकाच्च = विवेकात् + च; तथोच्यते = तथा + उच्यते
Related Themes: Agni Purana Moksha-dharma discussions on karma-yoga and jnana-yoga integration; Agni Purana Vedanta/tattva-nirnaya passages defining viveka and the role of scripture
FAQs
It defines the practical means to the goal: both jñāna (liberating knowledge) and karma (prescribed action), and it classifies jñāna into āgama-based (scriptural) and viveka-based (discernment).
By systematizing soteriology: it catalogs pathways (knowledge and action) and sub-types of knowledge (scripture vs. discernment), reflecting the Purana’s compendium-style organization of doctrines alongside other sciences.
It frames karma as a legitimate supportive means while emphasizing that liberation-oriented insight is two-sourced—grounded in authoritative teaching (āgama) and matured through inner discrimination (viveka).