Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 2
Āsana–Prāṇāyāma–Pratyāhāra
Posture, Breath-control, and Withdrawal of the Senses
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चेलाजिनकुशोत्तरं तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यातचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः
nātyucchritaṃ nātinīcaṃ celājinakuśottaraṃ tatraikāgraṃ manaḥ kṛtvā yātacittendriyakriyaḥ
Sur un siège ni trop élevé ni trop bas, recouvert d’un tissu, d’une peau de daim et d’herbe kuśa, là, ayant rendu l’esprit unifié en un seul point, qu’on réfrène les opérations du mental et des sens.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Yoga-vidya","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Correct preparation of the meditation seat (neither high nor low; cloth–deerskin–kuśa layers) and mental one-pointedness leading to restraint of mind and senses.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Āsana-vedikā: proper seat height and kuśa–ajina–vastra layering","lookup_keywords":["na atyucchrita","na atinīca","ajina","kuśa","ekāgratā"],"quick_summary":"Use a seat of moderate height with cloth, deerskin, and kuśa-grass; then establish ekāgratā and restrain mental and sensory activity. The verse links physical setup to pratyāhāra readiness."}
Concept: Bāhya-sādhana (proper seat) supports antaḥkaraṇa-ekāgratā and indriya-nigraha.
Application: Avoid very soft/high seats that induce sleep and very low/hard seats that cause pain; prepare a stable mat; begin with a brief settling of attention before deeper practices.
Khanda Section: Yoga-vidya (Dhyana & Asana instructions)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner arranges a meditation seat: kuśa grass, deerskin, and cloth layered on a moderate platform; then sits with focused gaze and withdrawn senses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up of layered āsana materials (kuśa, ajina, cloth) on a low platform, yogin seated calmly, stylized foliage background, earthy tones, emphasis on ritual purity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate border with gold, central seat showing distinct layers, yogin in simple attire, lamp and water pot nearby, gold accents on halo and seat edges, devotional-instructional blend","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: platform height moderate, visible kuśa blades, deerskin texture, cloth on top; yogin’s face serene, minimal background for focus","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed textures of grass, hide, and cloth; yogin seated in quiet chamber; attendants absent; composition emphasizes orderliness and restraint"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nātyucchritaṃ = na + ati-ucchritam; nātinīcaṃ = na + ati-nīcam; tatraikāgraṃ = tatra + eka-agram; celājinakuśottaraṃ resolved as cela-ajina-kuśa-uttaram; yātacittendriyakriyaḥ as bahuvrīhi compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 372.1 (clean place and steady seat); Agni Purana 372.3–4 (alignment, gaze, bodily locks)
FAQs
It gives the practical dhyāna-yoga setup: prepare a proper āsana (seat) with cloth–deerskin–kuśa layers, neither too high nor too low, then cultivate one-pointed concentration and restrain sense-activity.
Alongside its many subjects, the Agni Purana also preserves applied yoga and ritual-technology—here, precise specifications for a meditation seat and mental discipline—showing its coverage of sādhanā methods in addition to theology and rites.
A correctly prepared seat and restrained senses stabilize the mind, reduce distraction, and make meditation effective—supporting purification (śuddhi) and steady contemplative practice leading toward higher realization.