Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 7
Explanation of the Characteristics of Mudrās (मुद्रालक्षणकथनं)
आकुञ्चयेत् पूर्वमुद्रां दक्षिणेप्येवमेव च ऊर्ध्वाङ्गुष्ठो वाममुष्ठिर्मुद्रासिद्धिस्ततो भवेत्
ākuñcayet pūrvamudrāṃ dakṣiṇepyevameva ca ūrdhvāṅguṣṭho vāmamuṣṭhirmudrāsiddhistato bhavet
ينبغي أولاً قبض المُدرا السابقة (المعلَّمة من قبل)، وعلى الجانب الأيمن كذلك. فإذا شُكِّلت اليد اليسرى قبضةً وكان الإبهام مرفوعاً إلى أعلى، نشأ حينئذٍ تمامُ إنجاز المُدرا.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Finalization/confirmation of mudrā-siddhi: contracting the prior mudrā on both sides; left fist with upright thumb as a completion sign in ritual gesture practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mudrā-siddhi: contraction and upright-thumb left-fist seal","lookup_keywords":["mudrā-siddhi","ākūñcana","left fist","ūrdhva-aṅguṣṭha","gesture completion"],"quick_summary":"Instructs to curl/contract the earlier mudrā, repeat on the right side, and seal with a left fist and upright thumb—marking successful completion of the mudrā practice."}
Concept: Siddhi here is procedural correctness: symmetry (left/right) and a sealing gesture (mudrā-bandha) stabilize intention and attention.
Application: Use the upright-thumb left-fist as a consistent end-marker after completing a mudrā set, aiding memorization and reducing sequence errors.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric Mudra and Ritual Gestures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two-step depiction: first the hands curl inward to contract the prior mudrā; then the left hand forms a fist with the thumb upright, signaling completion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up hands with bold outlines: curling gesture then left-fist upright thumb, warm lamp glow, minimal background for clarity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, hands adorned with simple sacred thread motif, gold highlights on thumb and knuckles, framed as a ritual seal gesture.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic illustration with arrows showing contraction, then final seal pose; subtle lotus motif behind the left fist.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine brushwork on fingers, priest seated in profile, final upright-thumb fist emphasized with delicate shading and border ornament."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Raga Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दक्षिणेप्येवमेव = दक्षिणे + अपि + एवम् + एव; वाममुष्ठिर्मुद्रासिद्धिः = वाममुष्टिः + मुद्रा-सिद्धिः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 26 (preceding mudrā definitions that are to be 'contracted')
FAQs
It teaches a precise mudrā-formation method: contracting the previously taught gesture, mirroring it on the right side, and forming a left-hand fist with an upright thumb to achieve mudrā-siddhi (effective completion of the gesture) for worship.
Beyond narratives, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical technology—fine-grained rules for mudrās used in pūjā—showing its coverage of applied ritual science alongside many other disciplines.
Correct mudrā-execution is treated as making worship actions precise and efficacious, supporting purity of ritual performance and strengthening the intended devotional and mantra-linked results.