Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 21
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
निष्कलं च शिवं न्यस्य शिवो ऽहमिति भावयेत् उष्णीषं शिरसि न्यस्य अलं कुर्यात्स्वदेहकं
niṣkalaṃ ca śivaṃ nyasya śivo 'hamiti bhāvayet uṣṇīṣaṃ śirasi nyasya alaṃ kuryātsvadehakaṃ
Après avoir accompli le nyāsa de Śiva, l’Indivisible (niṣkala), qu’on médite : «Je suis Śiva». En plaçant par nyāsa l’uṣṇīṣa (ornement sommital) sur la tête, qu’on orne ainsi et sanctifie son propre corps.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Non-dual Shaiva sadhana: perform nyāsa of Niṣkala Śiva, cultivate the identity contemplation ‘Śivo’ham’, and sanctify the body by installing the uṣṇīṣa at the head.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Niṣkala-Śiva nyāsa and Śivo’ham-bhāvanā with uṣṇīṣa-nyāsa","lookup_keywords":["niṣkala-śiva","nyāsa","śivo'ham","bhāvanā","uṣṇīṣa"],"quick_summary":"Install the transcendent Śiva through nyāsa, meditate on identity with Śiva, and place the uṣṇīṣa by nyāsa to consecrate the body as a divine vessel."}
Concept: Śivo’ham-bhāvanā: identity contemplation; Niṣkala Śiva as pure consciousness beyond parts/attributes.
Application: Use bhāvanā with nyāsa to shift self-sense from limited individuality to witness-consciousness, supporting steadiness in worship and daily conduct.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva/Tantric Nyasa and Bhavana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator performs nyāsa, visualizing formless Śiva, inwardly repeating ‘Śivo’ham’, and placing a radiant uṣṇīṣa at the crown to sanctify the body.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated yogin with serene face, crown region glowing with uṣṇīṣa light, abstract formless Śiva aura (linga-like radiance) behind, restrained palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central figure with heavy gold halo and crown ornament, inscription-like ‘Śivo’ham’ motif, ornate floral borders, devotional luminosity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic nyāsa: hand touching crown, chest, limbs; subtle crown ornament highlighted; calm instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, contemplative interior, figure touching crown with right hand, delicate gold wash at head, minimal divine abstraction in background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śivaḥ+aham+iti → śivo 'hamiti; kuryāt+sva-dehakam → kuryātsvadehakam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (nyāsa/bhāvanā instructions)
FAQs
It teaches Śaiva nyāsa and bhāvanā: ritually installing the transcendent (niṣkala) Śiva in oneself and meditating on the identity-statement “Śivo’ham,” along with placing the uṣṇīṣa on the head as a consecrating ‘ornament’ of the body.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical liturgical technology—nyāsa, internal visualization, and bodily sacralization—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied ritual sciences alongside its many other domains.
By internalizing the niṣkala Śiva through nyāsa and “Śivo’ham” contemplation, the practitioner treats the body as a purified ritual field, cultivating non-dual devotion and inner sanctity that supports purification and spiritual attainment.