Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 12
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
अजितान्नारुहेद्भूमिं हिक्काश्वासादयस् तथा जिते प्राणे खल्पदोजविन्मूत्रादि प्रजायते
ajitānnāruhedbhūmiṃ hikkāśvāsādayas tathā jite prāṇe khalpadojavinmūtrādi prajāyate
Wenn man prāṇa (den Lebensatem) noch nicht gemeistert hat, soll man kein erhöhtes Gelände erklimmen; sonst entstehen Schluckauf, Atemnot und ähnliche Leiden. Ist prāṇa jedoch bezwungen (unter Kontrolle gebracht), so werden Störungen wie ein schleimbezogenes Ungleichgewicht (kapha), Unregelmäßigkeiten von Stuhl und Urin und dergleichen geordnet und sind beherrschbar, ohne zu hindern.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Guidance for exertion and altitude/strain management based on prāṇa-control; prevention/management of hiccup and dyspnoea through breath mastery and regulated activity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāṇa-ajaya (unmastered breath): contraindication for climbing; prāṇa-jaya benefits in śvāsa-hikkā and excretory regulation","lookup_keywords":["prāṇa-jaya","hikkā","śvāsa","ārohaṇa (climbing) contraindication","kapha mala-mūtra"],"quick_summary":"Warns against strenuous ascent when breath is uncontrolled, as it provokes hiccup and dyspnoea. Mastery of prāṇa makes kapha-related and excretory disturbances manageable through regulation rather than aggravation."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Prāṇa-saṃyama as a prerequisite for safe action; mastery of inner wind governs outer movement and bodily functions.
Application: Use breath discipline before undertaking strenuous tasks; treat prāṇa-control as foundational to health and steadiness.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-nidana / Pranayama and disorders of breath)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler begins to climb a hill but pauses, practicing controlled breathing; a contrasting figure struggles with hiccups/dyspnoea on the slope; subtle depiction of kapha heaviness and regulated excretion as balance symbols.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, hillside path with two figures: one seated in prāṇāyāma posture with calm aura, another bent with hikkā/śvāsa distress, stylized wind lines around chest, earthy greens and reds, temple-forest ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central calm yogin with gold halo-like prāṇa aura, hill in background, distressed climber to the side, ornate border, symbolic lotus for regulated prāṇa","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional split-scene: 'अजितप्राणः' side showing labored breathing while climbing; 'जितप्राणः' side showing steady ascent after prāṇāyāma, fine annotations and gentle palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape with rocky incline, one figure practicing breath control under a tree, another coughing/hiccupping mid-climb, delicate cloud-wind motifs, naturalistic rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अजितान्नारुहेद्भूमिं = अजितात् + न + आरुहेत् + भूमिम्; हिक्काश्वासादयस् = हिक्काश्वासादयः (visarga sandhi); जिते प्राणे = locative absolute; (खल्पदोजविन्मूत्रादि: बहुपद-समास/समुच्चय)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372 (Ayurveda/yoga-adjacent notes on prāṇa and disorders)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayurvedic–yogic rule: without mastery of prāṇa (breath control), one should avoid exertion such as climbing, since it can trigger hikkā (hiccup) and śvāsa (dyspnoea); prāṇa-jaya is presented as a means to stabilize such bodily disturbances.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical health instruction—linking breath regulation, exertion, and clinical symptoms (hiccup, breathlessness, kapha imbalance, bowel/urinary disturbance)—showing its coverage of applied Ayurveda and yogic therapy.
Mastery of prāṇa is implicitly framed as self-discipline and purification: regulating the life-breath supports steadiness of body and mind, reducing suffering and enabling consistent performance of dharma and spiritual practice.