Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 17
Chapter 381 — यमगीता
Yama-gītā
अग्राह्यकमनिर्देश्यं सुप्रतिष्ठञ्च यत्परं परापरस्वरूपेण विष्णुः सर्वहृदि स्थितः
agrāhyakamanirdeśyaṃ supratiṣṭhañca yatparaṃ parāparasvarūpeṇa viṣṇuḥ sarvahṛdi sthitaḥ
至上实相不可执取、不可言诠，却安住而不动；以既超越（para）又内在（apara）之相，毗湿奴住于一切众生之心。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Non-dual/qualified-non-dual contemplation: recognize the indwelling Lord as both transcendent and immanent to stabilize meditation and reduce ego-centered identification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vishnu as Para-Apara and Antaryamin","lookup_keywords":["agrahya","anirdeshya","para-apara","antaryamin","sarva-hrd-sthita"],"quick_summary":"The Supreme is beyond grasp and description, yet present as the inner ruler in all hearts; contemplate Viṣṇu as both beyond the world and within it."}
Alamkara Type: Virodha (paradox)
Concept: Brahman/Viṣṇu is beyond predicates yet immanent as the inner Self of all beings (para-apara, antaryāmin).
Application: Use neti-neti style negation for the transcendent aspect and antaryāmin-bhāvanā for the immanent aspect during japa/dhyāna.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Brahma-Vishnu-tattva (Philosophical Theology)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene yogin meditates; within a luminous heart-lotus appears Viṣṇu as an all-pervading light, simultaneously shown beyond the cosmos and within every being.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep mineral colors, central meditating sage with stylized heart-lotus revealing Viṣṇu as radiant blue-gold presence, cosmic aura behind, ornate floral borders, sacred calm","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf halo, Viṣṇu as luminous inner presence inside a heart-lotus motif, rich reds and greens, embossed ornaments, symmetrical devotional composition emphasizing para-apara duality","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework and soft shading, instructional diagram-like depiction: human figure with highlighted heart region showing Viṣṇu/light, and a separate vignette of transcendent formless radiance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate detailing: contemplative ascetic seated in landscape, translucent overlay of heart-lotus with divine radiance, subtle cosmic background, restrained palette, emphasis on metaphysical symbolism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुप्रतिष्ठञ्च = सुप्रतिष्ठम् + च; यत्परं = यत् + परम्; परापरस्वरूपेण = परापर-स्वरूपेण; सर्वहृदि = सर्व-हृदि
Related Themes: Agni Purana 381.18-21 (same mokṣa-dharma sequence on deity-identification and means)
FAQs
It imparts tattva-vidyā (metaphysical knowledge): the Supreme is beyond sensory grasp and verbal definition, yet present as the inner indweller (antaryāmin) in every heart.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also preserves concise Vedāntic theology—here summarizing the para/apara doctrine and the omnipresence of Viṣṇu as the foundation for spiritual practice.
Recognizing Viṣṇu as the indwelling Supreme supports inner worship, steadies devotion and meditation, and directs one toward mokṣa by shifting attention from external forms to the universal presence within all beings.