Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 27
Explanation of the Final Dissolution (Ātyantika Laya) and the Arising of Hiraṇyagarbha — Subtle Body, Post-Death Transit, Rebirth, and Embodied Constituents
सूतिवातैर् अधीभूतो निःसरेद्योनियन्त्रतः पीड्यमानो मासमात्रं करस्पर्शेन दुःखितः
sūtivātair adhībhūto niḥsaredyoniyantrataḥ pīḍyamāno māsamātraṃ karasparśena duḥkhitaḥ
Dominado por los vientos del parto (fuerzas del alumbramiento), sale de la constricción del canal de nacimiento; oprimido y estrujado, durante cerca de un mes queda afligido incluso por el contacto de una mano.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Obstetrics and neonatal handling: understanding labor forces (sūtivāta) and advising gentle touch and protection of the newborn during the first month.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sūtivāta (Labor Winds), Birth-Canal Constriction, and Neonatal Tenderness","lookup_keywords":["sūtivāta","yoni-yantra","prasava","navajata","sparsha-duhkha"],"quick_summary":"Birth is driven by ‘delivery-winds’ and involves compression through the birth canal; the newborn remains highly sensitive for about a month—supporting gentle handling and protective care."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Embodied life begins with intense vulnerability; care (raksha) is a primary duty toward the newborn.
Application: Encourages compassionate neonatal practices and attentive postpartum support for mother and child.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Garbha-vidya (Obstetrics and neonatal care)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A midwife receiving a newborn, emphasizing the narrow birth canal and the baby’s delicate sensitivity; caregivers swaddling and gently touching the infant.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized birthing chamber, midwife holding newborn with careful hands, soft cloth swaddling, warm lamp light, symbolic flowing ‘vāyu’ lines indicating sūtivāta, traditional flat composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents, auspicious postpartum room, mother resting, midwife presenting newborn, gold-highlighted swaddling cloth and protective motifs, rich saturated colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, semi-diagrammatic: arrows showing ‘sūtivāta’ aiding exit, depiction of yoni-yantra as constriction, then panel of gentle hand-touch causing distress, concluding with soft swaddling; fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with attendants, newborn being carefully wrapped, delicate textiles, realistic gestures of gentle handling, architectural niche and patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Anandabhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूतिवातैर् = सूतिवातैः; निःसरेद्योनियन्त्रतः = निःसरेत् + योनि-यन्त्रतः; मासमात्रं = मास-मात्रम्; करस्पर्शेन = कर-स्पर्शेन
Related Themes: Agni Purana 368 (labor and neonatal descriptions)
FAQs
It conveys Garbha-vidya/Ayurvedic physiology: the fetus is expelled by sūti-vāta (labour forces), is compressed in the yoni-mārga (birth passage), and remains tender/pain-sensitive for roughly a month—an observation relevant to immediate neonatal handling and care.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical medical knowledge—here, obstetric mechanics and post-birth sensitivity—showing its wide scope across Ayurveda, bodily science, and household care.
By highlighting the newborn’s suffering and fragility, it implicitly supports dharmic compassion and careful conduct toward infants—right action (dharma) expressed as non-harm and protective care at birth.