Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 39
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
पूरकं कुम्भकं कृत्वा व्यादाय वदनं मनाक् शनैर् उदीरयन् मूलं कृत्वा शिष्यात्मनो लयं
pūrakaṃ kumbhakaṃ kṛtvā vyādāya vadanaṃ manāk śanair udīrayan mūlaṃ kṛtvā śiṣyātmano layaṃ
Après avoir accompli l’inspiration (pūraka) et la rétention (kumbhaka), en entrouvrant légèrement la bouche, on doit expirer lentement ; prenant la « racine » (mūla) pour base, on doit opérer la dissolution (laya) du soi individuel du disciple (dans l’absorption méditative visée).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha; practical yoga instruction conveyed in the Purāṇic dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prāṇāyāma-guided mantra-sādhana: after pūraka and kumbhaka, exhale slowly with slight mouth opening; stabilize practice at the mūla (root) to induce laya/absorption in the practitioner (here framed as śiṣya).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūraka–kumbhaka–recaka with mūla-basis for laya in mantra-sādhana","lookup_keywords":["puraka","kumbhaka","recaka","mula","laya"],"quick_summary":"Perform inhalation and retention, then release the breath slowly with controlled mouth opening; anchor attention at the root (mūla) to lead the mind toward dissolution/absorption."}
Concept: Breath regulation is a direct lever for mental laya; ‘mūla’ functions as the stabilizing base (root-center/root-support) for dissolving individuated fluctuation.
Application: Use slow recaka after kumbhaka to lengthen attention-span; keep awareness rooted (mūla) to prevent dispersion and deepen absorption.
Khanda Section: Yoga-pranayama and Mantra-sadhana (Hatha/Raja-yoga practical instruction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher guiding a seated disciple in prāṇāyāma: inhale, hold, then slow exhale with slightly open mouth; a highlighted ‘mūla’ point at the base with a steady glow indicating the anchor for laya.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and śiṣya seated facing, stylized breath-stream shown as pale ribbon exiting gently, subtle glow at mūla region, calm temple interior with oil lamps, earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru instructing disciple, gold-leaf accents on breath-stream and mūla glow, ornate cushions, devotional yet technical posture depiction, rich textile patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise instructional panel: icons for pūraka, kumbhaka, slow recaka; disciple with slightly open mouth; clear emphasis on mūla anchor point, neat lines and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate studio scene: master demonstrating controlled exhalation, disciple mirroring, fine depiction of subtle breath as faint white line, annotated margins in calligraphy, delicate architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शनैर् → शनैः (visarga before vowel/consonant in recitation); शिष्यात्मनो → शिष्य-आत्मनः (genitive tatpuruṣa).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88.35 (pūraka–kumbhaka and mouth-opening cue); Agni Purana 88 (laya stages around nāda)
FAQs
It teaches a precise prāṇāyāma sequence—pūraka (inhalation), kumbhaka (retention), then slow exhalation with the mouth slightly opened—combined with a ‘mūla’ (root/base) focus to support meditative absorption (laya).
Beyond myth and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied yogic physiology—named breath-techniques and their meditative purpose—showing its wide scope as a compendium of practical disciplines (yoga/vidyā) alongside other sciences.
Regulated breath and root-based concentration are presented as a means to steady the mind and dissolve egoic individuality into contemplative absorption, supporting purification and inward liberation-oriented practice.