Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 101 — प्रासादप्रतिष्ठा (Prāsāda-pratiṣṭhā): Consecration and Installation of the Temple
सर्वात्मभिन्नात्मानं स्वाणुना स्वान्तमारुतः आज्ञया बोधयेच्छम्भौ रेचकेन ततो गुरुः
sarvātmabhinnātmānaṃ svāṇunā svāntamārutaḥ ājñayā bodhayecchambhau recakena tato guruḥ
Alors le guru, selon l’injonction de la pratique, doit éveiller Śambhu (Śiva) par recaka (l’expiration), en dirigeant le souffle qui se meut vers l’intérieur dans son propre canal subtil (nāḍī), afin que le soi individuel—distinct du Soi universel—soit réalisé en pleine conscience.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s yogic/tantric procedure to a sage-interlocutor, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Yoga","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Antaryāga/prāṇāyāma instruction: using recaka under guru-guidance to ‘awaken’ Śambhu-consciousness by directing prāṇa through subtle channels and clarifying jīva–paramātman discernment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Recaka-led Śambhu-bodhana in antaryāga","lookup_keywords":["recaka","antaryaga","shambhu-bodhana","nadi","guru-upadesha"],"quick_summary":"Teaches a guru-directed inner rite where exhalation (recaka) is used to activate Śiva-awareness and refine the practitioner’s recognition of the individual self in relation to the all-pervading Self."}
Concept: Jīva–Sarvātman viveka with Śambhu as awakened consciousness through regulated prāṇa.
Application: Use breath-work as a contemplative lever: exhalation releases grasping and supports recognition of witnessing awareness under disciplined instruction.
Khanda Section: Yoga–Pranayama and Tantric Inner-Ritual (Antaryāga) Instructions
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seated guru and disciple in a quiet sanctum-like space; the disciple practices controlled exhalation (recaka) with attention on a subtle channel; a faint inner Śiva-linga/light is visualized awakening in the heart or central axis.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, serene interior with guru instructing, disciple in padmāsana performing recaka, subtle nāḍī lines suggested as sacred red-gold currents, Śambhu symbol as luminous liṅga/third-eye motif, minimal background, meditative palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, guru and disciple with ornate halos, gold-leaf aura around a subtle Śiva emblem, emphasis on devotional inner awakening, rich textiles, calm symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined instructional depiction of recaka: posture, hand mudrā, subtle channel indicated with delicate lines, guru pointing to the breath path, soft colors and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate teaching scene in a small pavilion, detailed cushions and manuscripts, disciple exhaling with visible stylized breath stream, subtle glow indicating Śambhu-bodhana, fine architectural borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: bodhayecchambhau→bodhayet+śambhau (t + ś → cch by sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa yoga/prāṇāyāma passages; antaryāga and nyāsa-related chapters
FAQs
It teaches a prāṇāyāma application—specifically recaka (controlled exhalation)—used under a guru’s direction to stimulate inner realization/awakening associated with Śambhu (Śiva) through the subtle channel (nāḍī) and inward breath.
Alongside rituals, dharma, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves technical yogic and tantric praxis—here, a precise breath-control instruction linked to inner deity-awakening—showing its coverage of applied spiritual technologies.
By disciplined breath regulation under qualified guidance, the practitioner purifies and concentrates the mind-breath system, enabling recognition of the limited individuality (bhinnātman) and its grounding in auspicious consciousness (Śiva), supporting liberation-oriented practice.