Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 55
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
बन्धाय न पुनः स्थेयं शिवाज्ञां श्रावयेदिति ततो विसृज्य धातारं नाड्या दक्षिणया शनैः
bandhāya na punaḥ stheyaṃ śivājñāṃ śrāvayediti tato visṛjya dhātāraṃ nāḍyā dakṣiṇayā śanaiḥ
On ne doit pas demeurer de nouveau en cet état en vue du bandha (rétention) ; au contraire, on fera résonner intérieurement l’injonction de Śiva. Puis, après avoir relâché le souffle, on expirera lentement par la nāḍī droite (canal).
Lord Agni (instructional narrator of Agni Purana, addressing sage Vasiṣṭha in the standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Yoga","practical_application":"Breath-control protocol: avoid re-entering retention (bandha) and proceed by mentally invoking Śiva’s command, then exhale slowly through the right nāḍī (piṅgalā).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bandha-avoidance, Śivājñā-smaraṇa, and Right-nāḍī Rechaka","lookup_keywords":["bandha","śivājñā","rechaka","dakṣiṇa-nāḍī","prāṇāyāma"],"quick_summary":"Do not prolong or repeat retention for ‘binding’; instead recollect Śiva’s injunction, release the breath, and perform a slow right-channel exhalation."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Prāṇa is governed by obedience to higher injunction (Śiva-ājñā) and measured technique; restraint includes knowing when not to intensify practice.
Application: In prāṇāyāma sequences, prioritize safe transitions—release and slow rechaka—over forceful retention when stability is not assured.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-yoga (Pranayama and subtle-body procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in ritual posture, attention at the subtle channels; breath released and flowing out through the right nostril; a faint emblem of Śiva’s command as a luminous script above the head.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogin in padmāsana, stylized nāḍīs in red/white; right channel highlighted; subtle Śiva-linga motif indicating ‘Śivājñā’; serene background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold aura around yogin; right nostril exhalation shown as a thin golden stream; small Śiva emblem above; ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram-like painting: iḍā and piṅgalā traced; arrow showing slow rechaka through right; caption panel ‘śivājñā-smaraṇa’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior; yogin with rosary; delicate line indicating breath; calligraphic ‘Śiva-ājñā’ cartouche; subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिवाज्ञां → शिव-आज्ञाम्; श्रावयेदिति → श्रावयेत् इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84 (prāṇāyāma, mudrā, inner ritual steps)
FAQs
It gives a precise pranayama step: avoid repeating breath-retention (bandha) at that moment, invoke/recite Śiva’s injunction, then release the breath and exhale slowly through the right subtle channel (dakṣiṇā nāḍī).
Alongside mythology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves practical yogic-ritual technology—subtle-body anatomy (nāḍīs), breath regulation, and mantra-linked procedure—showing its wide coverage of applied spiritual disciplines.
The controlled release of prāṇa with Śiva-oriented recollection is presented as a purifying, regulated practice—prioritizing disciplined breath and mantra-alignment over forceful retention, thereby supporting steadiness and inner purification.