Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
हृदाकृष्य तथा स्नाप्य पुनः संहारमुद्रया शेषं मृद्भागमादाय प्रविश्य नाभिवारिणि
hṛdākṛṣya tathā snāpya punaḥ saṃhāramudrayā śeṣaṃ mṛdbhāgamādāya praviśya nābhivāriṇi
L’ayant attiré dans le cœur et l’ayant baigné ainsi, puis de nouveau au moyen de la Saṃhāra-mudrā, prenant la portion restante d’argile, qu’il l’introduise dans l’eau au niveau du nombril (nābhi).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Clay (mṛt) used in snāna is ritually internalized (hṛdaya) and then dissolved/returned to water with saṃhāra-mudrā, completing purification and withdrawal.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mṛd-nyāsa in Snāna: Hṛdaya-ākarṣaṇa and Saṃhāra-mudrā","lookup_keywords":["saṃhāra-mudrā","mṛd-bhāga","hṛdaya-ākarṣaṇa","nābhi-vāri","snāna-prayoga"],"quick_summary":"After drawing the rite into the heart and bathing, seal with saṃhāra-mudrā; take the remaining clay portion and place it into the navel-water region to conclude and withdraw the operation."}
Concept: Saṃhāra (withdrawal) is essential after projection; ritual substances are returned/dissolved to avoid residue (śeṣa-doṣa).
Application: Always conclude mantra/mudrā operations with a withdrawal gesture and proper disposal/return of ritual media (clay, water) to maintain ritual integrity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Ritual Procedures and Mudras)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bather performs a heart-centered gesture, then a closing saṃhāra-mudrā; a small lump of clay is placed into the water near the navel level, symbolizing dissolution.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close framing on torso and hands, stylized saṃhāra-mudrā, clay and water rendered with traditional patterns, calm sacred mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on hand-gesture and water ripples, devotee at tank, clay depicted as sacred substance, ornate border emphasizing completion/closure.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, step-by-step depiction of mudrā and placement of remaining clay into water at navel height; clean lines, didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate bathing scene at ghat, careful rendering of hands and clay, subtle aura indicating internalization into the heart and subsequent withdrawal."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: hṛdākṛṣya → hṛdā ākṛṣya; saṃhāramudrayā → saṃhāra-mudrayā; mṛdbhāgamādāya → mṛd-bhāgam ādāya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (mudrā sequences; snāna with mṛd and nyāsa)
FAQs
It teaches a mudrā-governed purification step: draw the ritual substance inward (to the heart), ritually bathe it, apply the Saṃhāra-mudrā (withdrawal/dissolution gesture), then place the remaining clay portion into the navel-associated water center.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana preserves procedural ritual technology—specific mudrās, internal placements (heart/navel centers), and handling of ritual materials—showing its scope as a manual of applied religious practice alongside many other sciences.
The sequence symbolizes internalizing purity (heart), cleansing, and then dissolving residual impurity through Saṃhāra (withdrawal), culminating in a harmonizing placement at the navel-center—aimed at ritual purification and merit through correct performance.