Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 15
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
शक्तिमुद्रा तु योन्याख्या चतुरस्रन्तु मण्डलं चतुरस्रं त्रिपत्राब्जं मध्यकोष्ठचतुष्टये
śaktimudrā tu yonyākhyā caturasrantu maṇḍalaṃ caturasraṃ tripatrābjaṃ madhyakoṣṭhacatuṣṭaye
शक्ति-मुद्रा को योनि-मुद्रा भी कहा जाता है। मण्डल चौकोर बनाना चाहिए; उसके भीतर एक और चौकोर, और मध्य के चार कोष्ठों में त्रिपत्र कमल स्थापित करना चाहिए।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Constructing a square maṇḍala with an inner square and a three-petalled lotus placed across the four central compartments; using Śakti/Yoni mudrā as part of yantra–mudrā coordination in worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śakti (Yoni) mudrā and square maṇḍala with tripatra-abja","lookup_keywords":["Śakti-mudrā","Yoni-mudrā","maṇḍala","caturasra","tripatra-abja"],"quick_summary":"Gives a named equivalence (Śakti-mudrā = Yoni-mudrā) and a precise geometric prescription for a ritual maṇḍala: square framework, inner square, and a three-petalled lotus positioned in the central four cells."}
Concept: Śakti is approached through symbol (yoni/lotus) and geometry (maṇḍala); form is a vehicle for focusing consciousness and invoking presence.
Application: When drawing yantra/maṇḍala, follow exact geometry and coordinate it with the corresponding mudrā to maintain ritual integrity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra (Yantra–Mudra–Mandala Lakshana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram is being drawn: an outer square, an inner square, and in the central four compartments a three-petalled lotus; beside it, the practitioner forms Śakti/Yoni mudrā with the hands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down view of a caturasra maṇḍala on the floor with white/red powders, tripatra lotus in the center, priest forming yoni-mudrā, oil lamps around, stylized geometric borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly ornamented yantra panel with gold accents outlining the square and lotus, central tripatra-abja highlighted, devotee hands in Śakti-mudrā, decorative floral motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: clean geometric lines, labeled compartments, step-by-step depiction of drawing the square and lotus, hands demonstrating yoni-mudrā in an inset.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous geometry on a parchment-like floor, artisan-priest drawing the maṇḍala with a stylus, pigments and bowls nearby, inset showing the yoni-mudrā, fine border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: योन्याख्या = योनि + आख्या। चतुरस्रन्तु = चतुरस्रम् + तु। त्रिपत्राब्जं = त्रिपत्र + अब्जम्। मध्यकोष्ठचतुष्टये = मध्यकोष्ठ + चतुष्टये।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (yantra–mudrā–maṇḍala lakṣaṇa sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a precise tantric-ritual specification: identifying Śakti-mudrā as Yoni-mudrā and prescribing the geometry of the maṇḍala—an outer square, an inner square, and a three-petalled lotus positioned within the four central cells.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—mudrā nomenclature and mandala/yantra layout—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgy, sacred diagramming, and tantric procedural details.
Correct mudrā and correctly proportioned mandala are treated as prerequisites for effective worship and mantra-sādhana; accuracy is understood to support purity of rite, focused intention, and the intended spiritual result of the practice.