Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 1
Chapter 381 — यमगीता
Yama-gītā
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे गीतासारो नामाशीत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः अथैकाशीत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः यमगीता अग्निर् उवाच यमगीतां प्रवक्ष्यामि उक्ता या नाचिकेतसे पठतां शृण्वतां भुक्त्यै मुक्त्यै मोक्षार्थिनां सतां
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe gītāsāro nāmāśītyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ athaikāśītyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ yamagītā agnir uvāca yamagītāṃ pravakṣyāmi uktā yā nāciketase paṭhatāṃ śṛṇvatāṃ bhuktyai muktyai mokṣārthināṃ satāṃ
如是，在《阿耆尼大往世书》（Agni Mahāpurāṇa）中，名为《吉塔精髓》的第三百八十加一（第三百八十一）章告终。今起第三百八十加一（第三百八十一）章《阎摩歌》（Yama-gītā）。阿耆尼言曰：“我将宣说《阎摩歌》——此教法曾对那契迦多（Naciketas）开示——凡诵持者与聆听者，皆得世间受用与解脱；为诸善人、求摩克沙（mokṣa）者而说。”
Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Using the Yama-gītā/Katha-derived teaching as a recited-heard sādhanā for both worldly well-being and liberation, framing the next instructional unit.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Yama-gītā Prastāva (Teaching to Naciketas; Phala-śruti of Recitation)","lookup_keywords":["yama-gītā","naciketas","kathopaniṣad","phalaśruti","śravaṇa-pāṭha"],"quick_summary":"Agni introduces the Yama-gītā, said to Naciketas, promising benefit for reciters and listeners—enjoyment and liberation—especially for virtuous seekers of mokṣa."}
Concept: Śravaṇa-pāṭha as a means: hearing/reciting liberative instruction; eligibility emphasized—virtuous mokṣa-seekers.
Application: Adopt disciplined listening/recitation of the discourse as daily practice, aligning intent toward mokṣa while stabilizing dharma in worldly life.
Khanda Section: Moksha-shastra / Gita-sara (Yama-gita discourse)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Mythic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal transition scene: Agni as narrator introducing the Yama-gītā; then Yama teaching Naciketas, with attentive listeners/reciters receiving blessings of bhukti and mukti.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-tier: upper—Agni rishi-like, fiery aura, holding palm-leaf manuscript; lower—Yama enthroned calmly instructing young Naciketas; surrounding sages listening; temple palette, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Agni at side with manuscript; central Yama with gold halo and ornaments, Naciketas seated below; gold-embossed borders, phalaśruti motif of devotees receiving boons.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, classroom-like upadeśa scene: Yama as teacher, Naciketas as student; Agni as narrator in corner; clear didactic composition, soft colors, fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined courtly darbar: Yama as dignified king-teacher, Naciketas as youthful seeker; scribes and listeners with manuscripts; architectural pavilion, delicate calligraphy panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity + āgneye → ityāgneye; triśatatamaḥ + adhyāyaḥ (’ inserted) → triśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ; atha + eka-aśīti... → athaikāśīti...; agniḥ + uvāca → agnir uvāca; siddhiṃ + ca etc. not present here; nāciketase is dative of proper noun Nāciketas.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380 (Gītā-sāra conclusion); Agni Purana 381+ (Yama-gītā discourse sections that follow)
FAQs
It introduces the Yama-gītā as a mokṣa-vidyā: a liberation-oriented teaching whose practical application is śravaṇa (hearing) and pāṭha (recitation) for attaining bhukti (worldly welfare) and mukti (spiritual release).
By framing an Upaniṣadic-style liberation discourse (linked to Naciketas and Yama), it shows the Agni Purāṇa’s breadth—moving from ritual and dharma topics into philosophical mokṣa instruction, preserving multiple streams of Sanskrit sacred literature within one compendium.
It asserts that engaging with the teaching through listening and recitation yields both auspicious worldly results and purification leading toward liberation, especially for sincere, virtuous seekers of mokṣa.