Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
Chapter 59 — अधिवासनकथनं
Adhivāsana: The Rite of Inviting and Stabilizing Hari’s Presence
पादौ पायुःस् तथा पाणी वागुपस्थश् च पञ्चमः कर्मेन्द्रियाणि चैतानि पञ्चभूतान्यतः शृणु
pādau pāyuḥs tathā pāṇī vāgupasthaś ca pañcamaḥ karmendriyāṇi caitāni pañcabhūtānyataḥ śṛṇu
Les deux pieds, l’anus (pāyuḥ), les deux mains, la parole (vāk) et l’organe générateur (upastha) comme cinquième : tels sont les cinq organes d’action (karmendriya). Écoute maintenant au sujet des cinq grands éléments (pañca-bhūta).
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Sankhya-Yoga","practical_application":"Differentiate karmendriyas (organs of action) from jñānendriyas to refine ethical discipline, bodily regulation, and meditative withdrawal; prepares for understanding mahābhūtas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Five Organs of Action (Karmendriyas) and Transition to Mahābhūtas","lookup_keywords":["karmendriya","pāda","pāyu","pāṇi","vāk","upastha"],"quick_summary":"The five organs of action are listed—feet, anus, hands, speech, generative organ—forming a practical taxonomy of action; the teaching then turns to the five great elements."}
Concept: Human agency operates through five karmendriyas; understanding them is prerequisite to analyzing embodiment via the five mahābhūtas.
Application: Self-observation: track actions as (locomotion, elimination, grasping, speech, procreation); apply restraint (yama/niyama) by regulating each channel of action.
Khanda Section: Sāṅkhya–Yoga / Tattva-nirūpaṇa (Cosmology and psycho-physical taxonomy)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic tableau showing five action-organs: feet walking, hands grasping, mouth speaking, pelvic organ indicating generation, and lower body indicating elimination; arrows point onward to five elements as the next topic.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: five vignettes in a horizontal band—feet, hands, speech, upastha, pāyu—stylized and symbolic; next panel hints at pañca-mahābhūtas with elemental motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: five gilded panels with symbolic depictions of karmendriyas, ornate gold borders; a sixth central emblem foreshadows pañca-bhūtas with gold radiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional chart with labeled karmendriyas and a transition arrow to pañca-mahābhūtas icons (earth/water/fire/air/space), fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly allegory of human actions—walking, handling objects, speaking, family/procreation, sanitation—rendered discreetly and symbolically; marginal notes indicate karmendriyas and elements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पायुःस् = पायुः (visarga before s in recitation); वागुपस्थश् = वाक् + उपस्थः; चैतानि = च + एतानि; पञ्चभूतान्यतः = पञ्चभूतानि + अतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 59 (mahābhūta exposition immediately following)
FAQs
It teaches the technical Sāṅkhya-style classification of the five karmendriyas (organs of action): feet, anus, hands, speech, and the generative organ.
By systematizing human faculties (indriyas) and linking them to the upcoming doctrine of the five great elements (pañcabhūtas), it shows the Purana’s compendium-like coverage of philosophy, psychology, and cosmology alongside ritual and practical sciences.
Recognizing the organs of action as distinct faculties supports self-discipline and mindful conduct; this discernment is used in yogic restraint and ethical karma, aiding purification through regulated action.