Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 56
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
संहारमुद्रयात्मानं कुम्भकेन निजात्मना राहुयुक्तैकदेशेन चन्द्रविम्बेन सन्निभं
saṃhāramudrayātmānaṃ kumbhakena nijātmanā rāhuyuktaikadeśena candravimbena sannibhaṃ
Durch die Saṃhāra-mudrā und mittels Atemanhaltung (kumbhaka) im eigenen inneren Selbst soll man sich vorstellen, dem Mondkreis zu gleichen—an einer Stelle teilweise bedeckt, als wäre er mit Rāhu verbunden.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Inner visualization (dharāṇā) using Saṃhāra-mudrā and kumbhaka: self-image as a lunar disc partially eclipsed by Rāhu, to induce withdrawal/absorption and ‘dissolution’ (saṃhāra) orientation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Saṃhāra-mudrā Kumbhaka Dharāṇā: Candra-maṇḍala with Rāhu-saṃyoga","lookup_keywords":["saṃhāra-mudrā","kumbhaka","candra-vimba","rāhu","dharāṇā"],"quick_summary":"During kumbhaka, apply Saṃhāra-mudrā and visualize the self as the moon’s disc with a portion obscured like an eclipse by Rāhu—an inner rite for absorption and transformative restraint."}
Dosha: Pitta
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Saṃhāra (withdrawal/dissolution) is enacted internally by mudrā + breath-retention + archetypal cosmic imagery (eclipse) to reconfigure identity into a meditative ‘maṇḍala’.
Application: Use a stable visual symbol (moon-eclipse) to anchor attention during kumbhaka, aiding pratyāhāra and one-pointedness.
Khanda Section: Yoga-Pranayama and Tantric Dharana (Mudra-Kalpa / Inner Ritual Visualization)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditating practitioner with an inner ‘moon-disc’ aura; a dark arc (Rāhu) partially covers the luminous circle, suggesting eclipse; hands in Saṃhāra-mudrā; breath held in stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold circular candra-maṇḍala behind the yogin; a dark serpentine arc as Rāhu covering part of the disc; stylized mudrā hands; deep indigo background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed moon halo; blackened segment as eclipse; yogin with ornate jewelry minimal; gold detailing on the circular maṇḍala; temple-like frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional depiction of Saṃhāra-mudrā hand position; labeled moon-disc with partial cover; subtle nāḍī lines; calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night-sky terrace; yogin seated; large moon with a dark bite taken out; fine brushwork clouds; calligraphic note ‘Rāhu-yukta candra’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संहारमुद्रयात्मानं → संहार-मुद्रया आत्मानम्; राहुयुक्तैकदेशेन → राहु-युक्त-एकदेशेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84 (mudrā-kalpa, dhāraṇā, prāṇāyāma)
FAQs
It teaches a dhāraṇā method: using Saṃhāra-mudrā together with kumbhaka to stabilize attention and visualize the self as a moon-disc partially eclipsed by Rāhu—an image of controlled withdrawal and inner absorption.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical yogic technology—mudrā, breath-control, and visualization—showing it functions as a compendium of applied spiritual disciplines, not only mythic narration.
The eclipse-like visualization symbolizes saṃhāra (withdrawal/dissolution) of outward cognition; practiced with kumbhaka, it is meant to purify attention, restrain the senses, and conduce to deeper meditative stillness.