Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 52
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
एकं ज्ञानं सात्त्विकं स्यात् पृथग् ज्ञानन्तु राजसं अतत्त्वार्थन्तामसं स्यात् कर्माकामाय सात्त्विकं
ekaṃ jñānaṃ sāttvikaṃ syāt pṛthag jñānantu rājasaṃ atattvārthantāmasaṃ syāt karmākāmāya sāttvikaṃ
把握“一”（唯一实在）的知识应知为清净性（sāttvika）；见多与别异的知识为激情性（rājasa）；趋向不真实、非其本质之物的知识为昏暗性（tāmasa）。不求果报而行之业为清净性。
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Cultivate sāttvika knowledge by seeking unity/essence; avoid tāmasika misinformation and rājasa fragmentation; align actions with niṣkāma (desireless) duty.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Guṇa-bheda of jñāna and sāttvika karma","lookup_keywords":["sāttvika-jñāna","rājasa-jñāna","tāmasa-jñāna","niṣkāma-karma","eka-tattva"],"quick_summary":"Sāttvika knowledge grasps the One reality; rājasa knowledge multiplies separations; tāmasa knowledge clings to the unreal. Desireless action is sāttvika—useful as a practical criterion for spiritual progress."}
Concept: Epistemic guṇa-viveka: the quality of knowledge shapes liberation; unity-vision supports mokṣa, while unreal cognition binds.
Application: Study and contemplation aimed at tattva (essence) + niṣkāma service; reduce sensational/fragmenting inputs that feed rajas and tamas.
Khanda Section: Sankhya–Yoga / Triguna-Viveka (Classification of knowledge and action by the three guṇas)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three lamps labeled sattva, rajas, tamas illuminate different objects: one lamp reveals a single sun (One reality), another shows many scattered reflections, the third shows a distorted mirage; beside them a figure performs duty without grasping reward.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, tri-color guṇa lamps (white/gold, red, dark blue) illuminating sun, scattered mirrors, and mirage; a calm yogin offering flowers without expectation, bold contours, symbolic clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central radiant sun as eka-tattva, flanked by two panels of multiplicity and illusion; devotee performing niṣkāma karma, ornate halos and gilded accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic triptych with clear labels: sāttvika-jñāna (one), rājasa-jñāna (many), tāmasa-jñāna (unreal); lower register shows desireless action, soft palette, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, philosophical allegory: scholar points to sun, mirrors, and mirage in a garden setting; attendant performs service without reward, fine detailing and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: jñānantu = jñānam tu; atattvārthantāmasaṃ = a-tattva-artham tāmasam; karmākāmāya = karma akāmāya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380.50; Agni Purana 380.53
FAQs
It teaches guṇa-viveka: how to classify knowledge (jñāna) and action (karma) as sāttvika, rājasa, or tāmasa—especially emphasizing desireless action (akāma-karma) as sāttvika.
Beyond ritual and myth, the Agni Purāṇa preserves systematic philosophical taxonomy (triguṇa analysis of cognition and conduct), aligning it with broader śāstric discourse found in Yoga, Sāṅkhya, and Dharma-oriented teachings.
By cultivating one-pointed truth-oriented knowledge and performing actions without craving for results, one purifies motivation, reduces tamasic delusion and rajasic restlessness, and supports liberation-oriented (sāttvika) spiritual progress.