Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
कुम्भकेन समादाय रेचकेनोद्भवाख्यया हृत्सम्पुटनमो ऽन्तेन वह्निं कुण्डे निवेशयेत्
kumbhakena samādāya recakenodbhavākhyayā hṛtsampuṭanamo 'ntena vahniṃ kuṇḍe niveśayet
Après avoir recueilli (le feu sacré) par la rétention du souffle (kumbhaka), puis par l’expiration—dite « udbhavā »—avec la fermeture du cœur et la finale « namaḥ », on doit installer le feu dans le kuṇḍa (foyer rituel).
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prāṇāyāma-assisted agni-pratiṣṭhā/homa: collect/contain the energized fire with kumbhaka, then ‘release/manifest’ it through a controlled exhalation (udbhavā) with hṛt-sampuṭa and namaḥ to install it into the kuṇḍa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Agni-niveśana in kuṇḍa using kumbhaka, udbhavā-rechaka, hṛt-sampuṭa and namaḥ","lookup_keywords":["kumbhaka","rechaka-udbhavā","hṛt-sampuṭa","namaḥ","agni-niveśana"],"quick_summary":"Details a breath-and-mantra method for installing ritual fire: retain to gather, exhale as udbhavā while sealing at the heart and concluding with namaḥ, then place the fire into the pit."}
Concept: Prāṇa and agni are ritually unified: breath-retention gathers śakti; exhalation manifests/places it—outer fire mirrors inner fire disciplined by yoga.
Application: During homa preliminaries, synchronize kumbhaka and rechaka with mantra endings (namaḥ) and heart-sealing to stabilize attention and ‘seat’ the fire without haste.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agni-vidhi (Pranayama-assisted homa and fire-installation procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist before a fire-pit performs kumbhaka with steady posture, then exhales (udbhavā) while sealing at the heart and uttering namaḥ; a stream of subtle fire-energy flows from the heart/breath into the kuṇḍa where flames arise.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest near a square kuṇḍa, stylized breath shown as flowing ribbon carrying sparks into the pit, heart-lotus motif on chest, flat decorative temple setting, warm reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, glowing kuṇḍa with embossed gold flames, priest with gold aura, visible heart-lotus and gold line of energy into the pit, ornate altar objects, rich jewel tones and heavy gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional scene: posture for kumbhaka, then rechaka labeled udbhavā, heart-sealing gesture, kuṇḍa geometry emphasized, fine outlines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña scene in a courtyard, delicate smoke and flame rendering, the exhalation depicted subtly as a pale stream, calligraphic ‘namaḥ’ near the mouth, intricate ritual vessels"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रेचकेनोद्भवाख्यया = रेचकेन + उद्भवाख्यया; नमो ऽन्तेन = नमः + अन्तेन; हृत्सम्पुटनमोऽन्तेन = हृत् + सम्पुट + नमः + अन्तेन (समास/पदसन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88 (agni-vidhi/pūjā-vidhi: prāṇāyāma-linked homa steps; kuṇḍa procedures; mantra endings)
FAQs
It teaches a precise homa-technique: using kumbhaka (breath retention) to ‘gather’ the inner fire/energy, then recaka (exhalation) termed udbhavā, along with a heart-sealing act (hṛt-sampuṭana) and a concluding “namaḥ”, to ritually install Agni into the kunda.
It preserves technical ritual mechanics—linking pranayama, mantra-ending conventions (namaḥ), and fire-altar procedure—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond mythology into applied liturgy and yogic-ritual integration.
By synchronizing breath, mantra, and intention, the practitioner is taught to consecrate the external fire as a purified extension of inner discipline, supporting ritual efficacy (siddhi) and purification (śuddhi) through correctly established Agni.