Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 12
Adhyaya 165 — नानाधर्माः
Various Dharmas
वहिर्मुखानि सर्वाणि कृत्वा चाभिमुखानि वै मनस्येवेन्द्रियग्रामं मनश्चात्मनि योजयेत्
vahirmukhāni sarvāṇi kṛtvā cābhimukhāni vai manasyevendriyagrāmaṃ manaścātmani yojayet
Habiendo vuelto hacia dentro todas las corrientes orientadas hacia fuera, debe fundirse todo el conjunto de los sentidos en la mente, y luego uncir la mente al Sí mismo (Ātman).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Yoga-vidya","practical_application":"Pratyāhāra leading to dhāraṇā: reverse outward sensory flow, collect senses into mind, then anchor mind in the Self for inner stability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratyāhāra sequence: indriya-saṃhāra → manoniveśa → ātma-yoga","lookup_keywords":["bahirmukha to antarmukha","pratyahara","indriya-grāma","manas","ātmani yojayet"],"quick_summary":"Turn outward-going senses inward, merge the sense-aggregate into the mind, and then yoke the mind to the Self. This gives a practical stepwise method for interiorization."}
Concept: Sense-withdrawal is not suppression but reorientation: senses are gathered into mind, and mind is grounded in the Self; this is the bridge from distraction to absorption.
Application: During meditation: (1) relax and notice each sense turning outward, (2) gently ‘face’ it inward (antarmukhatā), (3) rest all sensory data in a single mental field, (4) place that mind in the witness-Self (ātma-sthāna).
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Antarmukha-sadhana / Pratyahara-Dharana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator with stylized sense-streams (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) shown as rays turning inward toward the heart/mind; then a final alignment of mind into a luminous Self at the center.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogin seated, five colored rays representing senses curling inward like vines into the chest; central lotus-heart glowing; calm, symmetrical composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, yogin on lotus with gold-highlighted central Self-light; five sense symbols (eye, ear, nose, tongue, skin) at the border drawn inward by golden lines; ornate but serene.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, stepwise instructional panel: (1) outward senses, (2) inward-facing, (3) senses merged into mind, (4) mind yoked to Self; fine linework and clear sequencing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior meditation scene; delicate depiction of subtle currents as translucent ribbons turning inward; refined palette and precise detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वहिर्मुखानि = वहिः + मुखानि (अव्ययीभाव); चाभिमुखानि = च + अभिमुखानि; मनस्येव = मनसि + एव; मनश्चात्मनि = मनः + च + आत्मनि
Related Themes: Agni Purana 165.10 (vṛtti-hīna mind and liberation); Agni Purana 165.8 (true yoga as Self-abidance)
FAQs
It teaches yogic pratyāhāra and internalization: reverse outward sense-flow, absorb the senses into the mind, and finally concentrate the mind in the Ātman.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves practical yoga methodology—showing it as a multi-disciplinary manual that includes inner technology for liberation.
By withdrawing senses and stabilizing the mind in the Self, one reduces karmic entanglement caused by sense-driven action and moves toward purification and mokṣa-oriented absorption.