Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 11
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
दक्षिणेन समालभ्य पठन्नङ्गचतुष्टयम् पिधाय खानि सर्वाणि सम्मुखीकरणेन च
dakṣiṇena samālabhya paṭhannaṅgacatuṣṭayam pidhāya khāni sarvāṇi sammukhīkaraṇena ca
Après avoir touché le corps/les membres de la main droite, on doit réciter la formule des quatre membres (aṅga-catuṣṭaya) ; et, par l’acte de « sammukhīkaraṇa » (mettre au-devant), on doit aussi fermer toutes les ouvertures (des sens).
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Perform aṅga-nyāsa (fourfold limb formula) with right-hand touch and execute sammukhīkaraṇa to ‘seal’ the senses/apertures for inward focus during worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṅga-catuṣṭaya-nyāsa and Sammukhīkaraṇa (closing the apertures)","lookup_keywords":["aṅga-catuṣṭaya","aṅga-nyāsa","sammukhīkaraṇa","kha-ni pidhāna","right-hand touch"],"quick_summary":"Touch with the right hand while reciting the fourfold limb formula, then perform sammukhīkaraṇa to close the sensory apertures, turning attention inward for mantra efficacy."}
Concept: Indriya-nigraha through ritual ‘sealing’ supports mantra-siddhi; bodily gestures and sound are coordinated as a single practice.
Application: Use a consistent nyāsa + sense-withdrawal step to reduce distraction before japa, dhyāna, or abhiṣeka.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa and Anga-nyasa procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner touches specific body points with the right hand while reciting a four-part formula, then performs a gesture of ‘bringing to the front’ and symbolically closes eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth to internalize awareness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up ritual figure performing aṅga-nyāsa with right hand, stylized mudrās, subtle depiction of sealed senses, warm earthy tones, temple interior backdrop with lamp and lotus motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, seated devotee before a small liṅga or śālagrāma, gold-highlighted hands in mudrā, ornate borders, emphasis on right-hand touch points and sacred geometry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic yet elegant: four limb points indicated, sequence arrows, practitioner in yogic seat, calm palette, didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor shrine scene, fine detail of hand gestures, attendants holding incense, quiet moment of sense-withdrawal, delicate linework"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पठन्नङ्गचतुष्टयम् = पठन् + अङ्गचतुष्टयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (nyāsa and mantra-prayoga sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a precise nyāsa step: touch with the right hand, recite the fourfold aṅga-mantras (aṅga-catuṣṭaya), and perform sammukhīkaraṇa to ‘close’ the sense-openings for focused mantra-practice.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves manual-like ritual technology—body-mantra mapping (nyāsa), gesture-based focusing (sammukhīkaraṇa), and sensory restraint—showing its breadth as a compendium of applied religious practice.
By restraining the sense-gates and centering attention, the practitioner reduces distraction and impurity, making japa and worship more inward, concentrated, and spiritually efficacious.