Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 11
Chapter 340 — नृत्यादावङ्गकर्मनिरूपणम्
Explanation of Bodily Actions in Dance and Performance
नवधा तारकाकर्म भ्रमणञ्चलनादिकं षोढा च नासिका ज्ञेया निश्वासो नवधा मतः
navadhā tārakākarma bhramaṇañcalanādikaṃ ṣoḍhā ca nāsikā jñeyā niśvāso navadhā mataḥ
L’opération « tārakā » est de neuf sortes, comprenant des procédés tels que la rotation et le mouvement oscillatoire, etc. Le canal nasal doit être compris comme sextuple ; et l’acte de respirer (niśvāsa) est tenu pour nonuple.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Yoga-Pranayama","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Breath-training and subtle-body practice: enumerating operational modes (tārakā-karman), nasal-channel classifications, and breathing types for regulated prāṇa work.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Tārakā-karman (9), Nāsikā-bheda (6), Niśvāsa-bheda (9)","lookup_keywords":["tārakā-karman","nāsikā-bheda","niśvāsa","prāṇāyāma","vāyu-bheda"],"quick_summary":"Provides numerical classifications for yogic operations (tārakā) including whirling/oscillatory movements, the sixfold nasal channel scheme, and nine modes of breathing—used to structure prāṇāyāma practice."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Prāṇa is refined through methodical classification and control of breath and channels; disciplined enumeration supports repeatable practice.
Application: In daily sādhanā, track which nasal mode predominates and select a gentle niśvāsa pattern to reduce restlessness; advance to more complex ‘tārakā’ operations only after stability in basic prāṇāyāma.
Khanda Section: Yoga-Pranayama (Nadi, Nasika, and Vayu-bheda)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in padmāsana practices nasal breathing while a teacher points to a schematic of nāḍīs and nasal channels; small vignettes show whirling/oscillatory ‘tārakā’ operations.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, serene yogin with stylized nāḍī lines, teacher holding palm-leaf diagram labeled nāsikā-bheda and niśvāsa-bheda, deep greens/reds, temple-ashram setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central yogin with aureole, gold-leaf accents on borders, subtle depiction of breath flow at nostrils, side panels showing nine niśvāsa types as symbolic motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional chart of six nasal channels and nine breathing modes, yogin demonstration in the corner, soft pastel palette and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, quiet garden pavilion with yogin and guru, detailed anatomical-style scroll showing nāḍīs, attendants observing, fine detailing and subdued tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भ्रमणञ्चलनादिकं = भ्रमणम् + चलन + आदिकम् (म् + च → ञ्च).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 340 (yoga/prāṇa/nāḍī/nāsikā/vāyu enumerations)
FAQs
It gives a technical taxonomy used in yogic practice: nine modes of a procedure called tārakā-karma, sixfold classification of the nasal channel (nāsikā), and ninefold classification of respiration (niśvāsa), serving as a practitioner’s framework for breath-and-channel discipline.
Beyond myth and worship, the Agni Purāṇa catalogues applied yogic science—here, a systematic enumeration of practices and physiological channels—showing its compendium style across disciplines like yoga, tantra, and subtle anatomy.
By classifying breath and channels for disciplined practice, the verse points to purification and mastery of prāṇa—traditionally linked with mental steadiness, inner clarity, and the removal of obstacles in sādhanā.