Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
शिखाहृत्सम्पुटीभूतं स्वाहान्तं सृणिमुद्रया पूरकेण समाकृष्य पाशं मस्तकसूत्रतः
śikhāhṛtsampuṭībhūtaṃ svāhāntaṃ sṛṇimudrayā pūrakeṇa samākṛṣya pāśaṃ mastakasūtrataḥ
Après avoir enfermé (le mantra) dans le « coffret » formé par la mèche sommitale (śikhā) et le cœur, en le terminant par « svāhā », on doit, au moyen de la Sṛṇī-mudrā et par l’inspiration (pūraka), attirer le nœud coulant (pāśa) vers le haut le long du fil de la tête (mastaka-sūtra).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Nyāsa + mudrā + prāṇāyāma integration: seal the mantra between śikhā and hṛt (protective ‘sampuṭa’), append svāhā, apply Sṛṇī-mudrā, and use inhalation to draw the pāśa upward along the central head-thread for control/withdrawal of binding energies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śikhā–hṛt-sampuṭa with svāhā; Sṛṇī-mudrā and pūraka to draw pāśa via mastaka-sūtra","lookup_keywords":["śikhā-sampuṭa","hṛt-sampuṭa","svāhā","Sṛṇī-mudrā","mastaka-sūtra"],"quick_summary":"Teaches a concrete ritual-yogic operation: mantra is sealed in a protective casket (śikhā and heart), empowered with svāhā, and—using Sṛṇī-mudrā plus inhalation—the noose-energy is drawn upward through the head-channel."}
Concept: Body as mantra-vessel: śikhā and hṛdaya function as sealing points; prāṇa (pūraka) moves subtle bonds upward for mastery and purification.
Application: In protective worship, coordinate mudrā with inhalation to ‘lift’ constricting energies; keep attention on the central axis (mastaka-sūtra) while maintaining the mantra-sampuṭa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-tantra and Mudra procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest-sādhaka forms a ‘casket’ gesture linking topknot and heart, inscribes svāhā in the air, displays Sṛṇī-mudrā, and with a visible inhalation draws a rope-like pāśa upward along a shining head-thread channel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized priest with prominent śikhā, hand mudrās clearly shown, glowing line from heart to crown (mastaka-sūtra), rope-noose rising upward, flat ornamental temple background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central figure with gold-highlighted crown and heart lotus, embossed gold line for mastaka-sūtra, svāhā rendered as golden script, ornate jewelry and borders, deep saturated palette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: close-up of hands in Sṛṇī-mudrā, diagrammatic heart and crown points, subtle rope being drawn upward with breath, gentle colors and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior scene with a sādhaka before a small altar, delicate depiction of breath as faint mist, luminous thread from head, calligraphic svāhā, refined textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिखाहृत्सम्पुटीभूतम् = शिखा + हृत् + सम्पुटी + भूतम्; मस्तकसूत्रतः = मस्तकसूत्र + तः (अव्ययीभाव).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88 (pūjā-vidhi: mudrā, nyāsa, sampuṭīkaraṇa; prāṇāyāma-linked actions)
FAQs
It teaches a specific mantra-application method: enclosing the mantra in a ‘sampuṭa’ linked to śikhā and heart, sealing it with “svāhā,” and using Sṛṇī-mudrā together with inhalation (pūraka) to ‘draw up’ a visualized/ritual noose (pāśa) along the head-line.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational ritual technology—precise instructions combining mantra-ending conventions (svāhā), mudrā technique, and prāṇāyāma-based visualization—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgy and tantra-like procedures.
By integrating mantra, breath, and mudrā, the rite is framed as a controlled act of inner purification and focused intent (saṅkalpa), directing prāṇa and mantra-power for protection, restraint, or attraction while maintaining ritual correctness.