Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 8
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
वाह्येन वायुना देहं दृतिवत् पूरयेद्यथा तथा पुर्णश् च सन्तिष्ठेत् पूरणात् पूरकः स्मृतः
vāhyena vāyunā dehaṃ dṛtivat pūrayedyathā tathā purṇaś ca santiṣṭhet pūraṇāt pūrakaḥ smṛtaḥ
Así como se llena el cuerpo con el aire externo como un fuelle, del mismo modo, una vez plenamente colmado, debe permanecer firme; por ser un llenado (pūraṇa), se conoce como Pūraka (inhalación).
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Technique of pūraka: inhale external air to fill the body ‘like a bellows’, then remain steady at fullness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pūraka—bellows-like filling inhalation","lookup_keywords":["pūraka","inhalation","dṛti-vat","vāhya-vāyu","stambha"],"quick_summary":"Pūraka is the controlled filling inhalation, likened to inflating a bellows; after full inhalation one maintains steadiness before transitioning."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Measured intake (pūraṇa) followed by steadiness trains prāṇa and mind toward controlled abiding.
Application: Use the bellows analogy to ensure even expansion (chest/abdomen) and to prevent uneven, jerky inhalation.
Khanda Section: Yoga-Prāṇāyāma (Haṭha/Ādhyātmika-Vidya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin inhaling deeply and evenly, torso subtly expanding, with a symbolic bellows nearby or implied, then holding a steady poised stillness at full breath.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogin seated with expanded chest, stylized bellows motif beside, flowing breath lines entering, warm ochres and greens, serene temple ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yogin with gold-highlighted breath aura, bellows symbol rendered ornamentally, rich colors, gold leaf borders emphasizing ‘fullness’","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of inhalation expansion (abdomen/chest), gentle shading, optional small bellows diagram element, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined depiction of subtle torso expansion, a craftsman’s bellows as metaphorical prop in the corner, delicate interior scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूरयेत्+यथा → पूरयेद्यथा; पूर्णः+च → पुर्णश् च (विसर्ग-सन्धि);
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372.7 (recaka); Agni Purana 372.9 (kumbhaka)
FAQs
It defines Pūraka in prāṇāyāma: controlled inhalation that ‘fills’ the body with external air, followed by steadiness (preparatory stabilization before the next phase).
Alongside ritual, polity, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also codifies practical yoga-physiology—here giving a technical definition of a core breath practice (pūraka) using a precise operational analogy (bellows).
Disciplined inhalation and steadiness support prāṇa-regulation and mind-stability, traditionally understood to aid purification and concentration for meditation and higher yogic practice.