Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 2
Explanation of the Characteristics of Mudrās (मुद्रालक्षणकथनं)
ऊर्ध्वाङ्गुष्ठोवाममुष्टिर्दक्षिणाङ्गुष्ठबन्धनं सव्यस्य तस्य चाङ्गुष्ठो यस्य चोर्ध्वे प्रकीर्तितः
ūrdhvāṅguṣṭhovāmamuṣṭirdakṣiṇāṅguṣṭhabandhanaṃ savyasya tasya cāṅguṣṭho yasya cordhve prakīrtitaḥ
বাম হাত মুঠো করে তার বৃদ্ধাঙ্গুলি ঊর্ধ্বে রাখবে। ডান হাতের বৃদ্ধাঙ্গুলি দিয়ে সেই বাম মুঠোকে বাঁধবে/আঁকড়াবে। এটিই সেই মুদ্রা, যাতে বৃদ্ধাঙ্গুলি উপরে স্থাপিত বলে ঘোষিত।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Exact hand-configuration instruction for a specific mudrā: forming the left fist with upright thumb and binding it with the right thumb—used to seal mantra, invoke/contain presence, or mark a step in pūjā/nyāsa sequences.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mudrā with upright left thumb bound by right thumb (ūrdhvāṅguṣṭha-bandha)","lookup_keywords":["mudrā","ūrdhva-aṅguṣṭha","vāma-muṣṭi","dakṣiṇa-bandhana","nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"Make the left hand a fist with the thumb raised; clasp/bind it using the right thumb. This defines a thumb-above configuration used as a ritual seal in mudrā practice."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is operationalized through precise bodily ‘seals’ (mudrā) that regulate intention and invoked power.
Application: Use the described hand seal consistently at the specified step of a pūjā/nyāsa sequence to ‘bind’ (bandhana) the rite and prevent distraction/leakage of focus.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-Mudra (Hand-gestures used in ritual and yogic-technical practice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close demonstration of the mudrā: left hand clenched with thumb upright; right thumb clasping/binding the left fist; the ‘thumb above’ position is emphasized like a diagram.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, simplified instructional vignette: enlarged hands showing left fist with upright thumb, right thumb binding, minimal background, bold outlines and flat colors for clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, devotional-instruction hybrid: hands enlarged in foreground with gold-highlighted thumb position, small deity/shrine in background, ornate border, rich colors and gold accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical plate style: step-by-step hand positions, fine linework, soft shading, labels implied by composition, focus on thumb alignment and clasping","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, manuscript illustration of hands performing the seal, delicate finger anatomy, pale background wash, calligraphic space reserved above for the mudrā name"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi: ūrdhvāṅguṣṭhovāmamuṣṭiḥ → ūrdhva-aṅguṣṭhaḥ vāma-muṣṭiḥ; muṣṭirdakṣiṇāṅguṣṭhabandhanam → muṣṭiḥ dakṣiṇa-aṅguṣṭha-bandhanam; cāṅguṣṭho → ca aṅguṣṭhaḥ; cordhve → ca ūrdhve.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 26 (mudrā-lakṣaṇa sequence; surrounding mudrā definitions)
FAQs
It defines a specific mudrā (hand-configuration): the left hand forms a fist with the thumb raised, and the right thumb clasps/binds that left fist—used as a prescribed gesture in ritual procedure.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs precise operational details of worship—down to hand-gestures (mudrās). Such technical definitions place it alongside manuals of ritual, tantra, and yogic praxis, illustrating its wide-ranging, encyclopedic scope.
Correctly performing the prescribed mudrā is traditionally held to stabilize attention and ensure ritual correctness (vidhi), supporting purity of offering and the intended efficacy (phala) of worship.