Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
निराधारा द्वयोस्तेषां साधारा सकलस्य तु आधारनिरपेक्षेण क्रियते शम्भुचर्यया
nirādhārā dvayosteṣāṃ sādhārā sakalasya tu ādhāranirapekṣeṇa kriyate śambhucaryayā
Pour deux de ces états/pratiques, il n’y a pas de support (ādhāra) ; mais pour la pratique totale (sakala), il y a un support. Toutefois, par la Śambhu-caryā (la discipline de Śiva), elle s’accomplit d’une manière indépendante de tout support.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Clarifying when practice is performed without an external/internal support (adhara) versus with supports, and how Shambhava/Śambhu-caryā enables a support-independent performance even within ‘complete’ practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Śambhu-caryā and Ādhāra-nirapekṣa Sādhana","lookup_keywords":["Shambhu-carya","adhara","niradhara","sadhara","sakala"],"quick_summary":"Two modes are supportless, while the complete (sakala) mode is supported; yet Śambhu-caryā performs the practice independent of supports, emphasizing direct inner realization over props."}
Concept: True Śaiva discipline can be executed without reliance on supports (objects, loci, constructs), pointing to immediacy of awareness (Śambhu-bhāva) even when ritual frameworks exist.
Application: When supports are unavailable (no shrine/mandala/time), maintain the core practice as direct recognition: stabilize attention in awareness itself, letting supports be optional rather than necessary.
Khanda Section: Yoga and Shaiva Sadhana (Shambhava/Śambhu-caryā; non-dependent meditative practice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin practicing Śambhu-caryā in stillness, with ritual supports shown fading into the background, indicating independence from external props.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, meditating Shaiva yogin with subtle third-eye glow, faint mandala and ritual items dissolving into plain background, strong contours, serene temple-wall aesthetic.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central yogin with gold halo, minimal props, subdued shrine elements at the edges, emphasis on inner light at the brow, ornate border but simple center.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: left shows sadhara with mandala/nyasa, right shows niradhara seated meditation; fine lines, labeled elements, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ascetic in a quiet pavilion, attendants and ritual objects set aside, focus on facial serenity and still posture, delicate landscape beyond."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वयोस्तेषाम् = द्वयोः + तेषाम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (niradhara/sadhara diksha discussion); Agni Purana yoga and dhyana passages (general)
FAQs
It teaches the Śaiva-yogic principle of ādhāra (support) versus nirādhāra (supportless) practice, stating that Śambhu-caryā enables a practitioner to perform the discipline without relying on external or bodily supports.
Alongside rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana includes compact technical yoga instructions; this verse preserves a specialized Shaiva terminology (ādhāra/nirādhāra, Śambhu-caryā) showing its coverage of meditative science as part of its wide-ranging knowledge system.
Support-independent practice implies inner steadiness and non-attachment to props or external aids; it is presented as a purifying Śaiva discipline that stabilizes meditation and directs the practitioner toward liberation-oriented realization.