Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 15
Chapter 300 — सूर्यार्चनम्
Worship of Sūrya
न्यस्य मूर्धादिपादान्तं मूलं पूज्य तु मुद्रया स्वाङ्गानि च यथान्यासमात्मानं भावयेद्रविं
nyasya mūrdhādipādāntaṃ mūlaṃ pūjya tu mudrayā svāṅgāni ca yathānyāsamātmānaṃ bhāvayedraviṃ
Habiendo realizado el nyāsa desde la cabeza hasta los pies, debe adorarse el mantra raíz (mūla-mantra) con la mudrā prescrita; y, colocando el (mantra) en los propios miembros según el nyāsa, debe contemplarse a sí mismo como Ravi (el Sol).
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Nyāsa with mudrā for Sūrya/Ravi upāsanā—internalizing the deity through limb-installation and self-identification for mantra-siddhi and steadiness in dhyāna.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ravi-nyāsa and self-identification (ātma-bhāvanā) in Sūrya-pūjā","lookup_keywords":["nyasa","mudra","mula-mantra","Ravi-dhyana","anga-nyasa"],"quick_summary":"Perform head-to-foot nyāsa, worship the mūla-mantra with the prescribed mudrā, then install the mantra on one’s limbs and contemplate oneself as Ravi for intensified mantra-absorption."}
Concept: Devatā-ātmaikya through nyāsa: the sādhaka ‘becomes’ the deity in contemplative identity to stabilize mantra and mind.
Application: Use as a prelude to japa/homa: nyāsa + mudrā + dhyāna to reduce distraction and deepen visualization.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Nyasa, Mudra, Dhyana of Surya/Ravi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in padmāsana performs head-to-foot nyāsa with hand mudrās, visualizing the solar deity within the body as radiant Ravi.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm ochres and reds, sādhaka with stylized mudrā gestures, inner golden sun-disc at heart, subtle aura lines, minimal background with lotus motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, thick gold leaf halo, seated sādhaka before a small Sūrya yantra, ornate borders, gem-like highlights, emphasis on radiant circular aureole signifying Ravi within.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing sequential nyāsa points from head to feet, calm face, soft shading, instructional clarity with delicate floral background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior setting, sādhaka performing mudrā, translucent depiction of sun-disc within torso, fine textiles and manuscript-like margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mūrdhādipādāntaṃ = mūrdhā-ādi-pāda-antam; yathānyāsamātmānaṃ = yathā-nyāsam ātmānam; bhāvayedraviṃ = bhāvayet raviṃ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 300 (Sūryārcana: nyāsa-mudrā-dhyāna sequence); Agni Purana mantra-vidhi sections in early tantra-kalpas (general nyāsa rules)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-sādhana sequence: perform head-to-foot nyāsa, worship the mūla-mantra using the appropriate mudrā, then re-apply the nyāsa to one’s limbs and complete the practice with identification-meditation (ahaṃgraha-dhyāna) as Ravi (Sūrya).
Alongside mythology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual technology—precise procedures like nyāsa, mudrā, and deity-identification meditation—showing its coverage of applied liturgy and mantra practice.
Nyāsa and mudrā are meant to purify and sacralize the body as a fit vessel for mantra, while meditating oneself as Ravi internalizes the deity’s radiance—supporting concentration, inner purification, and the fruit of solar worship.