Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 32
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
भावयन्निजमात्मानं नाभौ धृत्वाप्लवेत्ततः प्रादेशमात्रदर्भाभ्यामङ्गुष्टानामिकाग्रकैः
bhāvayannijamātmānaṃ nābhau dhṛtvāplavettataḥ prādeśamātradarbhābhyāmaṅguṣṭānāmikāgrakaiḥ
En méditant sur son propre Soi, en fixant l’attention au nombril, on doit ensuite accomplir la pratique du ‘plavana’ (exercice de « flottement »), au moyen de deux brins de darbha de la longueur d’un empan, tenus par leurs pointes entre le pouce et la pointe de l’annulaire.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Yoga and Dhāraṇā","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"A dhāraṇā sequence: self-contemplation, navel fixation (nābhi-kendra), then plavana practice using two span-length darbhas held between thumb and ring-finger tip—used for steadiness of prāṇa, ritual readiness, and subtle-body alignment before mantra/astric acts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nābhi-dhāraṇā with Darbha-plavana grip","lookup_keywords":["nābhi-dhāraṇā","plavana","darbha","aṅguṣṭha","anāmikā"],"quick_summary":"Fix attention at the navel and perform plavana using two span-length darbhas held in a specific mudrā-like grip; this stabilizes breath-mind coordination and prepares the practitioner for subsequent protective rites."}
Concept: Ātma-bhāvanā with kendra-dhāraṇā: the self is approached through disciplined attention at a bodily center, using external ritual aids (darbha) as supports for inner steadiness.
Application: Use a consistent hand-grip and a single attentional locus (nābhi) to reduce mental scatter before mantra recitation or homa sequences.
Khanda Section: Yoga and Dhāraṇā (Prāṇāyāma–Dhyāna–Mudrā practices)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seated practitioner focusing at the navel, holding two long darbha blades between thumb and ring-finger tips, posture steady, breath subtle; minimal ritual setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogic seated figure with clear hand gesture holding two darbhas, navel center subtly highlighted with a lotus motif, calm background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, serene yogi with gold accents on darbha tips and navel-lotus, rich textile details, minimal altar elements","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of finger placement (thumb to ring-finger tip) gripping two span-length darbhas, with navel focus indicated by a small chakra/lotus diagram","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, quiet interior with yogi seated on carpet, fine botanical rendering of darbha blades, subtle glow at navel"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भावयन्निजमात्मानम् = भावयन् + निजम् + आत्मानम्; धृत्वाप्लवेत् = धृत्वा + अप्लवेत्; दर्भाभ्यामङ्गुष्ठ... = दर्भाभ्याम् + अङ्गुष्ठ...; नामिकाग्रकैः = नामिका + अग्रकैः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (prāṇāyāma–dhyāna–mudrā sequence around plavana/aplava)
FAQs
It teaches a specific dhāraṇā-based yogic procedure: concentrate on the navel-center while performing a ‘plavana’ practice, using darbha grass of prescribed length held with a defined finger-grip (thumb and ring-finger tip).
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical manuals—here, a precise yogic/ritual micro-technique specifying bodily locus (nābhi), mental operation (bhāvana of Ātman), and material/hand-method (darbha and finger placement), typical of its wide-ranging instructional content.
By combining self-contemplation with disciplined bodily focus and ritual purity-symbols (darbha), the practice is framed as a means of inner purification and steadiness of mind, supporting spiritual attainment through controlled attention (dhāraṇā).